80: Missionaries: Does Your Strategy Need a Facelift, Overhaul, or Funeral? (Behind-the-Scenes)

Watch this on YouTube (recommended) » After three and a half years apart, we reunite to reshoot all the core content for Fully Funded Academy—and we're asking the big question: does your support raising strategy need a facelift, an overhaul, or a funeral? This behind-the-scenes episode captures our two-day studio shoot and why putting your best foot forward matters. We share how they've grown in seven years, why excellence isn't perfectionism, and how to know when it's time to update your materials, freshen your approach, or let something go entirely. CONNECT WITH FULLY FUNDED ACADEMY: Website: https://fullyfundedacademy.com Get the Free Workbook: https://fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy  

Watch this episode on YouTube » Thanksgiving is coming soon, and today we're sharing our personal journeys with gratitude and the profound impact that a gratitude practice can have on how you raise support and you day-to-day well-being. We are grateful for you! 00:00 Introduction to Gratitude 00:22 Personal Reflections on Gratitude 02:11 The Power of a Gratitude Journal 03:49 Journaling Practices and Personal Stories 07:10 Gratitude in Challenging Times 12:41 Encouragement and Final Thoughts Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

Watch this on YouTube » If your missionary budget isn't cutting it, or you're wondering how to create more financial margin without abandoning your ministry, this conversation is for you. Mike and Mary tackle one of the most under-discussed realities in missions: what it actually means to be bi-vocational in today's world. Spoiler: it doesn't mean splitting your day between ministry and working retail.  00:15 The Many Hats of a Missionary 01:01 Permission to Be Bivocational 02:19 Prioritizing and Time Management 03:09 Time Auditing for Productivity 05:26 Repurposing Work for Revenue 06:49 Balancing Family and Work 10:15 Exploring Additional Revenue Streams 16:00 Encouragement and Final Thoughts Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

Watch this on YouTube » As we head into November and December, your donors are deciding where to give. They're looking for ministries with clear vision and faithful stewardship. Today we discuss a common mistake missionaries make that costs them thousands in support: focusing on money rather than vision. Tune in on how to make the shift and maximize your year-end support. For the financial report letter template mentioned, go to http://fullyfundedbook.com. 00:00 Introduction: The Costly Mistake Missionaries Make 00:42 Focusing on Vision Over Money 01:50 Breaking Down Ministry Expenses 05:06 The Importance of Transparency with Donors 06:03 Casting Vision for Future Support 09:40 Practical Tips for Effective Fundraising 13:44 Conclusion: Taking Action and Staying Engaged Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

Watch this on YouTube » In this episode, we dive into the critical role of personal connections in ministry fundraising and missions support. This episode is packed with actionable advice designed to help you cultivate deeper connections and foster a supportive community around your mission. Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or just starting out, these insights will empower you to make a meaningful impact in your fundraising efforts. Here are the subject lines in the screenshot Mike mentions: Fun. "I can't get any water!!!" "Take me running with you," said this thingamajig... A letter from a donor I'd like you to see Join (#) of your peers that joined our 5K Please open me: our 5K is THIS Saturday! Cancel anytime (without pretending you've moved) Hi (FNAME) Golfer in the family? We've got something special for you Dear Moms How to build a legacy you can be proud of At last, the secret of greater fulfillment REVEALED! Summer Vacation Plans Enclosed. Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

Watch on YouTube » Your relationship with money might be more dysfunctional than you realize—and it can show up in every fundraising conversation you have. Today we unpack why so many ministry leaders wear financial scarcity like a badge of honor while billion-dollar nonprofits operate with completely different money mindsets.  What You'll Discover: The personification exercise that exposes your hidden money narratives—why treating money like electricity or water instead of a toxic relationship changes everything about how it flows into your mission How the "poverty badge of honor" in ministry culture is costing you time, energy, and kingdom impact while wealthy nonprofits operate under completely different abundance principles The grocery store moment that programmed your fundraising anxiety—identifying where your current money beliefs actually came from and why they're probably not even yours Why imposter syndrome hits hardest around people with more money—and the spiritual abundance perspective that levels the playing field between you and that Mercedes-driving donor The billion-dollar nonprofit compensation truth that challenges everything you've been told about "ethical" ministry salaries and what it means for valuing your own work Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

Watch on YouTube here » div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 standard-markdown"> Today we get brutally honest about spiritual doubts during challenging seasons—the kind missionaries and ministry leaders are supposed to have figured out but rarely admit they're wrestling with. This isn't about having all the answers—it's about what happens when you're the one telling others to trust God while you're staring at the ceiling wondering if He hears you. What you'll discover: Why acceptance is the only stage that actually moves you forward—and how all the other stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression) keep us stuck in their emotions instead of helping them process and lead The 1 AM practice that helps Mike fall asleep—speaking to himself using the words God would say, not as self-aggrandizement but as the voice of a father talking to his 46-year-old son who's still wrestling Mary's nine-month transition nightmare—not knowing where they'd live within 48 hours of moving to Mexico, feeling spiritually done, and finally landing on "I'm not in control anymore" (plus what happened next) The "I am" statements that brought Mary to tears—going through scripture to collect identity markers, and why "worthy" hit differently than all the others when you've been trying to prove yourself through ministry performance The question that discharges unhelpful emotions—how asking "is this thought actually helpful right now?" helps you discern whether you need cosmic intervention, community connection, or just a nap and a walk Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

Watch this on YouTube here » Join us as walk through our book Fully Funded chapter by chapter, sharing the stories and strategies behind each section. From the prayer card that fell out of Mary's dad's Bible to the framework that's helped thousands of missionaries raise support, we break down what's actually inside the book and why we structured it the way they did. What you'll discover: Why "enlist your team" is the one chapter that's gotten 100% of those who implement it to full funding—and why this common nonprofit practice remains completely foreign to most ministry leaders The real reason Mike included every template, script, and framework in the book instead of holding anything back  What the "know, like, trust, try, give, repeat, refer" progression reveals about why your wealthiest connections haven't given—and which step you're probably skipping The 7-step thank you plan that keeps donors engaged for life—because the number one reason supporters stop giving has nothing to do with mission effectiveness Connect with us: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy

We're back with exciting news about the future of the Fully Funded Podcast - we're coming back! For the past year, we've been heads-down working on our book Fully Funded and also building our YouTube channel. We've heard from so many of our readers and viewers that they'd like the audio format of the podcast, so we're coming back! As always, we're ready to return to sharing proven strategies, actionable insights, and encouraging testimonies with Christian missionaries raising support in today's modern world. A few helpful links in the meantime: Newsletter: fullyfundedacademy.com/newsletter Book: fullyfundedbook.com Instagram: instagram.com/fullyfundedacademy We'll see you on Tuesday, October 7th for our return!

Today we're talking all about how to bring the entrepreneurial spirit to missions with our special guest, Ryan Steuer. Ryan is the founder of Magnify Missions, an organization focused on combating the problem of ministry and business burnout. As a former pastor and entrepreneur, Ryan knows the challenges and limitations to creating long-term sustainability in both ministry and business. In this episode, we explore: The relationship between ministry and entrepreneurship. How to determine if volunteering, working bi-vocational, or working full-time in ministry or business is right for you. How to look at your ministry more like a business. Self-care for your ministry and family. How to create a long-term vision for your ministry. To connect with Ryan, visit https://www.magnifymissions.com/.  For more information about Fully Funded Academy, go to fullyfundedacademy.com. Download our free support raising roadmap here. To submit a question to the podcast, go to fullyfundedacademy.com/podcast.