The Blessings Broadcast

Dr. Sandy Christensen is a board-certified OB-GYN and serves as Associate Medical Director for the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). She explains the practical services pregnancy centers provide, the legal and cultural challenges they face, and the role of faith in life-affirming medicine. She also discusses why early ultrasound and prenatal support matter, and how faith-driven care supports women facing unplanned pregnancies. And lastly, she reflects on her own calling, her partnership with Blessings International, and the Bible verse that anchors her work.

Help us make this show better: tell us one thing you’d change about this episode at communications@blessing.org.

References & resources

• https://nifla.org — National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA)
• Bible passages mentioned: Hebrews 6:14 and Lamentations 3:22–23

This episode of the Blessings Broadcast features Dr. Nicholas Comninellis, founder of the Institute for International Medicine, also known as INMED, and founder of the Humanitarian Health Conference. The conversation centers on his book Five Bags of Gold and the bigger questions behind it: what do we treasure, how will we account for our lives, and how can we use our skills and resources for God’s kingdom? Dr. Comninellis shares lessons from decades in global medical missions, including time in China and Angola, and offers practical wisdom for anyone considering mission work, mentoring, or a life of faith in action.

Timestamps

00:00 – Opening setup and introduction to Dr. Nicholas Comninellis
02:23 – Clarifying his role as founder of INMED and the conference
05:42 – Why short-term mission experiences matter early on
06:11 – The purpose of Five Bags of Gold: faith in action
08:07 – The coming account before the King of Kings
09:51 – People as the true treasure
11:45 – Pressure, ambition, and the lure of position
12:43 – The five Ps: possessions, position, projects, pleasures, people
14:49 – When efficiency threatens personal care in medicine
16:46 – What to do when you only feel like you have one bag of gold
17:06 – Why community helps you discern your strengths
18:30 – The Angola landmine story and being “treasured” by caregivers
21:29 – Advice for young physicians: find a role model
23:21 – Testing the waters through short-term ministry or mission work
25:15 – Why fit, language, culture, and prayer all matter in calling
27:10 – What INMED is and who it serves
29:54 – Why he founded INMED and the role of discipleship
31:15 – The impact of a mentor who truly made time
32:53 – A student who went to China and stayed for nearly 20 years
34:43 – The Humanitarian Health Conference and its educational focus
37:25 – What brings him the most joy: people
37:47 – His favorite verse: 2 Timothy 2:22
39:58 – Closing encouragement to read Five Bags of Gold and explore INMED

Resources

• Information about the Humanitarian Health Conference

Transcript

• https://www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-5

To be sustainable and effective, missions systems have to be strategic and holistic. Will Rogers, missions director at Southeast Christian Church and executive director of the Global Missions Health Conference, shares a practical framework for how churches can disciple, send, and care for mission-minded people across every age group. We discuss trends in global missions, why healthcare missions are uniquely strategic, and how the “missions maturity model” can help churches build a long-term plan for mobilization.

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro and setup for the conversation with Will Rogers
04:05 - Will’s background in economics, international development, and global work
05:20 - What capacity building means for organizations
06:54 - Why healthy organizations need both maturity and entrepreneurial “infancy”
08:40 - The origin story of the Global Missions Health Conference
11:09 - Missions is getting more strategic and more focused
12:34 - The Great Commission as a real scorecard for nations, tongues, and tribes
14:50 - Why “long-term” missions now often looks more like midterm
16:15 - Mobilization needs and the gap in biblical knowledge
18:23 - COVID’s impact on short-term and long-term sending
19:20 - The missions maturity model across every age group
21:02 - Why relationships matter in early missions calling
23:44 - Why medical missions requires a different kind of care
24:40 - Building a clear support framework with eight areas of care
26:17 - Dignity, long-term impact, and why short-term trips must lead somewhere
28:59 - What churches should look for after someone returns from a trip
31:49 - Holding rest and commissioning together
34:43 - How to get younger generations involved in missions
35:37 - Adam and Eve, the Great Commission, and the thread of commissioning through Scripture
39:35 - The unleashed process and discerning calling
42:42 - Relational connection and matching gifts to opportunities
43:38 - Advice for first-time medical missionaries
46:45 - Equipping the saints and the joy of the conference
48:26 - Hebrews 4, Ephesians 4, and a final word on rest and weariness
49:17 - Closing thoughts on strategy, thoughtfulness, and the heart behind the work.

Resources

• Global Missions Health Conference (GMHC): https://www.medicalmissions.com/

Transcript

• https://www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-4

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

Transcript

• https://www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-3

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

Transcript:

• https://www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-2

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

Transcript

• https://www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-1