“A Eucharistic life is a complete and total exchange of hearts—
to hear His heartbeat as if it were your own.”
Jason Shanks – President of National Eucharistic Congress
About Jason.
Jason Shanks is a nationally recognized Catholic leader, entrepreneur, and innovator whose mission-driven work over the last two decades has focused on renewing apostolates, strengthening Catholic institutions, and leading people to a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ.
He currently serves as President of the National Eucharistic Congress, where he previously was a founding board member and treasurer. Jason also served as President of the OSV Institute for Catholic Innovation, where he launched the first-ever Catholic “shark-tank” style competition and Catholic TED-style talks to ignite creativity, entrepreneurship, and new apostolic initiatives across the Church. His conviction that the Church is evergreen—and must be continually re-presented to every generation—has shaped his strategic leadership and vision for renewal.
Prior to OSV, Jason was the Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, where he successfully merged and reorganized five county-based social service agencies into one regional organization. His leadership earned him a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 Award. Earlier in his career, he served as Secretariat Leader for Evangelization and Parish Life for the Diocese of Toledo and was the founder of Catholic Youth Summer Camp.
Jason’s academic background includes a BA in Education from Miami University of Ohio, an MA in Theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum with a concentration in the New Evangelization, and an MA in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.
In 2020, Jason experienced a life-threatening battle with COVID-19, spending six weeks intubated and in sedation. Through the prayers of thousands, he made a remarkable recovery. In recognition of their witness during this time of suffering, Jason and his wife, Melissa, were named 2021 Catholics of the Year by Our Sunday Visitor. Jason was again honored—in 2024, this time individually—as “Catholic of the Year” for his efforts in the National Eucharistic Revival and the Congress. In 2025, he was honored by Legatus with the Bowie Award for Evangelization.
Jason lives in northern Indiana with Melissa and their five children, where his greatest joy remains family life and witnessing the transforming power of the Eucharist in the Church today.
Learn about FEature Presentation
Strength in Surrender: Living a Eucharistic Life of Self-Emptying Love
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In this spiritually profound and contemplative keynote, Jason Shanks invites audiences into a deeper understanding of what it means to live a Eucharistic life—one rooted not in strength, control, or performance, but in kenosis: the radical, self-emptying love modeled by Christ.
Drawing from his own near-death experience and long journey of physical and spiritual healing, Jason reflects on how surrender and vulnerability can become places of profound grace. But more than a personal testimony, this talk is a theological and mystical exploration of the hidden power of weakness, silence, and Eucharistic presence.
With warmth, humility, and insight, Jason reflects on the mystery of Jesus, who emptied Himself not only on the Cross, but even more mysteriously in the Eucharist—choosing to dwell with us in the appearance of bread and wine, in stillness and obscurity. Jason weaves together Scripture, saints (like Thérèse, Francis, and Mary), and his own spiritual awakening to show how our suffering can become Eucharistic when united with Christ.
This is not a talk about overcoming—it's a talk about offering.
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The self-emptying of Christ (kenosis) as the model for Christian life
Eucharistic presence as both hidden and healing
The spiritual fruits of silence, dependence, and interior surrender
Reframing suffering and weakness as sacred space
Learning to walk again—physically and spiritually—through trust and grace
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Eucharistic Revival Events
Spiritual Retreats and Conferences
Seminary and Formation Programs
Diocesan Gatherings on the Theology of Suffering or Discipleship
Healing Ministries and Men’s Conferences
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Audiences will leave with a renewed vision of what it means to be strong—not in themselves, but in Christ. They will be invited to surrender control, to enter the silence where God speaks most powerfully, and to recognize in the Eucharist the truest source of grace, identity, and hope.
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Pay ONLY for Jason’s travel (hotel, flight, food, rental or Uber).
No speaker stipend required, but consider the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC) as conference sponsor, promote NEC in a Call to Action to “Become a Eucharistic Missionary” (we have video), or make a donation to the NEC.
Jason weaves in biblical stories, power of prayer, keeping the end in mind, perseverance, and the fight to get home in a powerful way that will move your audience and get them thinking about their own journeys. This can be tailored to your audience.
miraculous 2020 covid recovery story
Theology and Faith
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Conversion Story
Watch Jason’s 2005 Interview with Marcus Grodi of the Coming Home Network. Invite Jason to speak to your audience about his conversion to the Catholic Church and to challenge them to continued conversion in their own lives. This talk has lots of apologetics and can be helpful to groups wanting to defend their faith.
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Eucharist
A passionate presentation on Our Journey To Love: Found in the Eucharist. This presentation has also been done in a parish mission setting followed by talks on how in During this Eucharistic Revival movement, hear Jason passionately speak of his own conversion to the Eucharist and how the Eucharist helps us overcome our own isolation.
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Truth
We live in a time that needs to understand that there IS objective truth. Invite Jason to speak on objective vs subjective truth, the law of non-contradiction, and the responsibility we have to find, live, and become the Truth.
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES
THE INEFFICIENT INNOVATOR
In his talk, The Inefficient Innovator, Jason Shanks talks about the urgent need for unscaled innovation in ministry and evangelization. Breaking down the methods that have always guided the work of parishes and ministries, Jason challenges his listeners to think beyond efficient processes, become hungry for souls and embrace an infinite mindset.
Download Promotional Teaser of Jason’s OSV Talk:
LET’S CONNECT
If you are interested in bringing Jason out for your event or conference, please fill out the form to the right. Please list:
Date and location of event
Type of event
Theme of event.
Topics interested in.
Event sponsor(s)
Contact Information (please include phone and email)
You would be responsible for cost of travel (flight, hotel, uber or rental car expenses) and if you wish, make a donation to the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc. or consider showing a short CTA of the work of the Eucharistic Revival as part of the event.
A speaking letter of good standing can be provided at request.