Published by Blessings International
Exploring how faith, service, and medicine work together, locally and globally. Hosted by Barry Ewy and Laura Berry.
Listen on Apple Podcasts37 min
How Foundations Fund Faith-Based Organizations and Navigating the Grant Process with Bernie Morris Join us in this episode as Bernie Morris, executive director of a granting foundation, shares expert insights on securing funding for nonprofit organizations, especially faith-based groups. Discover essential strategies for building trust, crafting effective grant proposals, and understanding what funders look for—plus, how to authentically present your spiritual impact. In this episode: The diverse ways organizations can raise funds, including individual donors, events, and grants Challenges faith-based organizations face in securing public funding and how to navigate faith component restrictions Signals of trustworthiness from foundations—financial stability, leadership strength, and transparency Key components to include in a grant proposal: problem statement, solution, impact measures, and alignment with funder priorities Common pitfalls, such as being too verbose or lacking succinct impact storytelling Strategies to shift from solely asking for funds to viewing fundraising as partnership-building How to demonstrate spiritual impact without compromising transparency or authenticity The importance of researching funders thoroughly and understanding their cycles and preferences Practical tips for grant application success, including leveraging AI tools for prep and what to do after a rejection Bernie’s favorite Bible verse and encouragement for faith-based fundraisers Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Bernie Morris and her role in grantmaking 02:10 - Diverse fundraising methods for nonprofits 03:39 - Challenges and opportunities in public grants for faith organizations 04:08 - Trust signals that foundations look for in applicants 05:58 - Common mistakes in grant applications—long-winded writing and exaggeration 08:08 - Essential grant proposal components and aligning with funder priorities 09:59 - How foundations assess leadership and financial credibility 11:26 - What to exclude in a grant request to avoid red flags 12:27 - The importance of storytelling focused on outcomes and impact 14:45 - Shifting mindset from asking for money to developing partnerships 17:55 - The role of leadership character and authenticity in funding decisions 20:27 - Communicating impact while maintaining spiritual integrity 22:00 - How to include spiritual components effectively in proposals 24:55 - Avoiding storytelling pitfalls—focusing on results rather than just needs 26:22 - Appropriate overhead percentages and what funders typically accept 27:56 - Reasons why grant requests are denied and how to improve 30:23 - The value of feedback and reapplication strategies 33:11 - Using AI to prepare grant applications and research funder info 35:06 - Bernie’s most memorable funding request and its impact 42:27 - Encouragement to use imagination and faith in fundraising efforts 43:22 - Final thoughts and biblical encouragement: Ephesians 3:20 Resources & Links: Bible - Ephesians 3:20
28 min
Uncover the incredible stories and transformative moments from a seasoned medical mission trip leader with over 68 trips across 15 countries. In this powerful episode, Troy Sledge reveals how obedience, divine guidance, and relentless preparation turn ordinary trips into miraculous encounters. Main Topics: Troy's background and journey in mission trips, including leading 68 trips and working in diverse countries like Kenya, Russia, and Mexico The spiritual impact and miraculous events observed during missions, such as villages accepting Christ and healing stories Practical advice for preparation, vetting team members, and handling unexpected situations in cross-cultural settings The importance of long-term engagement and how continual presence adds sustainability and value Managing team dynamics, including handling difficult personalities and ensuring spiritual and logistical readiness The role of obedience, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit in guiding mission work The significance of cultural sensitivity, reverse culture shock, and giving back with a heart of humility Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Troy Sledge and his diverse mission trip experience 00:35 - The spiritual miracles and divine guidance during missions in Africa and beyond 02:00 - Troy’s roles as nurse, leader, and educator in various mission contexts 03:45 - The emotional and spiritual impact of witnessing conversions and healing 05:00 - Practical tips: preparation, team vetting, and managing expectations 07:15 - The importance of long-term commitment versus one-time efforts 09:30 - Powerful stories of villages accepting the Gospel and miraculous healings 11:00 - Navigating challenges like team conflicts and unexpected events 13:15 - The value of obedience and listening to the Holy Spirit in mission work 15:00 - Handling reverse culture shock and giving meaningful feedback back home 17:00 - Training resources for mission teams: preparation, practicalities, and reentry 19:00 - How to ensure sustainability and avoid voluntourism pitfalls 21:00 - Troy’s advice for first-time mission participants and lessons learned 23:30 - An inspiring story of God's guidance during a crisis in the Philippines 26:00 - The importance of spiritual readiness, prayer, and trusting God's plan 28:00 - Managing difficult personalities and team cohesion in high-stress environments 30:00 - Practical steps for vetting team members and handling conflicts 33:00 - Preparing for the unexpected: financial and logistical flexibility 36:00 - An impactful Bible verse: Micah 6:8 and its relevance to mission work 37:00 - Closing thoughts and encouragement from Troy Resources & Links: Micah 6:8 Blessings International Mission Resources
23 min
Join Barry and Laura as they introduce the core purpose of the Blessings Broadcast — a podcast dedicated to growing faith-based medical missions worldwide through stories, resources, and practical insights. Main Topics The origins and growth of Blessings International since 1981 How faith and service intersect in medical missions Key resources, tools, and topics for organizations serving globally and locally The importance of collaboration and shared experiences in medical missions Inspiring Bible verses that motivate and guide their work Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Blessings Broadcast and hosts Barry and Laura 00:29 - The mission of the podcast: exploring faith and service through medicine 01:25 - Growth and impact of Blessings International over 30+ years 02:31 - The purpose and goals of the Blessings Broadcast 03:15 - Resources and tools available on Blessings International’s website 04:30 - How the podcast aims to encourage and inform medical missions 05:46 - The spiritual foundation guiding Blessings International, including Hebrews 6:14 07:50 - Connecting viewers with global and local service opportunities 09:10 - The importance of pure, safe, and effective medicines in missions 10:58 - Inspirational Bible verses: Hebrews 6:14 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 12:56 - The unity of the body of Christ in mission work 14:34 - The broad scope of topics covered: from pregnancy centers to donor relations 16:10 - Serving both abroad and at home in various roles and settings 17:42 - Addressing food insecurity and holistic care in missions 18:12 - The personal journey of the hosts and how God orchestrated their paths 22:15 - The journey ahead with the Blessings Broadcast and community engagement Resources and Links: Blessings International Blessings Organization Verse - Hebrews 6:14 Bible Book of Acts