In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Troy Van Vliet chats with Kyle Neilson to explore his powerful journey from an evangelical Protestant upbringing to a deep and thoughtful conversion to Catholicism. Kyle shares how a secular pursuit of success and a passion for golf gradually gave way to a profound encounter with Christ, sparked by Scripture, study, and an honest search for truth. Through examining Church history, authority, and key theological questions—such as sola scriptura, the canon of Scripture, and the nature of worship—Kyle discovered the coherence and fullness of the Catholic faith, a journey he ultimately shared with his wife and, over time, his entire family. The conversation also weaves in Troy’s own reversion story as a cradle Catholic and his passion for Catholic education, highlighting how faith, discipline, and authentic community can transform lives. Together, they reflect on the beauty of the Church, the importance of formation, and the hope found in vibrant Catholic initiatives like the NAPA Institute, underscoring why Catholic education and faithful leadership matter now more than ever.

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• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:58) - Raised Evangelical: Early Faith, Doubt, and Searching
• (02:37) - A First Conversion: Realizing God Was Missing
• (04:06) - A Life-Changing Encounter with Christ in Scripture
• (06:21) - Letting Go of Idols and Learning True Surrender
• (07:28) - Studying Church History and Questioning Sola Scriptura
• (11:48) - Who Decided the Bible? Authority, Councils, and Tradition
• (13:43) - Marriage, RCIA, and Entering the Catholic Church Together
• (18:03) - An Entire Family’s Gradual Conversion to Catholicism
• (23:26) - Cradle Catholic Reversion and the Power of Catholic Education
• (31:15) - The NAPA Institute and Renewing Catholic Leadership
• (35:27) - The Vision and Impact of the NAPA Institute
• (36:21) - Teamwork Consulting: Building Mission-Driven Organizations
• (38:20) - Why Strong Leadership Shapes Culture
• (40:38) - Addressing Dysfunction and Protecting Culture
• (45:53) - Hiring with Discernment in Catholic Education
• (46:31) - Final Reflections and Closing Blessing
• (46:53) - Outro