The Taking Donors Seriously® Podcast

When I first learned about Medical Ambassadors International, the scale of their ministry relative to their budget seemed so crazy that it was almost too good to be true. In this episode, we dive deep with Dr. Ravi Jayakaran, the current President, to explore this incredible Christ-centered, grassroots organization. Their holistic approach beautifully intertwines physical and spiritual care, creating lasting change in communities. We’ll also discuss their recent capital campaign, which has dramatically transformed their work. Medical Ambassadors International has 231 staff members in 76 countries and utilize a robust number of volunteers. They combine medical help with the gospel's good news, impacting 3,007 communities and 3.4 million people!  Website: https://www.medicalambassadors.org/ Healing Lives Magazine: https://www.medicalambassadors.org/publications/ Ravi’s book list: "Best Things in the Worst Times: An Insider’s View of World Vision” by Graeme Irvine Flamin' Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Ma

What do Mother Theresa, six US Presidents, Tom Jones, Diana Ross, and Oprah Winfrey all have in common? Dr. Wintley Phipps! Today Brad interviews Dr. Phipps, hearing about his remarkable life experience and the vision that God has given him to make things better in this world. https://www.usdreamacademy.org/  

Dr. Felix Theonugraha, President of Western Theological Seminary shares how he sees fundraising as a way to minister to and care for his donor partners. As many seminaries are struggling, Western, instead is leaning into their distinctives such as focus on mental health and Hispanic ministry. Part of their current capital campaign is raising funding to further innovative initiatives including ministry to those with disabilities and a center for Christian imagination. https://www.westernsem.edu/  

Ray Keen exudes wisdom and compassion. He’s a veteran CEO of The Canby Center, a wrap-around care ministry to youth and families in a small town in Oregon. Even as a growing organization–they are currently finishing up a $10 million campaign to expand their facilities and services– they seek to emphasize dignity and learning for everyone they serve. Advice to his younger self? "Get to know the Lord, yourself, and those you serve." The Canby Center: thecanbycenter.org Book List: Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer Giving it all away... and getting it back again, by David Green The 6 Types of Working Genius, by Patrick Lencioni Atomic Habits, by James Clear  

Chuck Hagele, CEO of Project Patch, is no stranger to darkness. The ministry he leads provides therapeutic residential programs for teens struggling with severe depression, anxiety and other acute challenges. Through fundraising, they strive to say "Yes" to kids needing treatment even if finances are a barrier. Chuck discusses the difficulties of learning his role, including transitioning leadership from the founder (who also happens to be his father-in-law.)   Some helpful books he is reading are: Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Dr. Lisa Demore The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

Mandy Arioto wrote a book about fun. She loves to give unusual gifts. She's also the President and CEO of the organization that led 58,000 women to follow Christ last year. Through her leadership of MomCo (formerly MOPS), she has transformed from seeing fundraising as a "necessary evil" to considering it one of the biggest blessings of her role. Mandy's book is: Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life https://www.themom.co/home She has recently enjoyed reading: Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday Running with Sherman: How a Rescue Donkey Inspired a Rag-tag Gang of Runners to Enter the Craziest Race in America by Christopher McDougall

In this special Juneteenth edition of the podcast, we interview Lisa Fields, a prominent apologist, speaker and founder of the Jude 3 Project. The Jude 3 Project exists to help equip the black Christian community to know what they believe and why they believe it. Lisa is also an expert on Juneteenth and led the production of a recent faith-filled documentary picked up by PBS. If you are not familiar with Lisa and her work, you absolutely should be.    Her book: When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Between What We Believe and What We Experience Films: Unspoken Documentary, PBS Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom Website: https://jude3project.org/ YouTube: @Jude3Project  

Hear from David Nees, the Head of School at Heritage Classical Academy in Northeast Ohio. He shares how the team around him has accomplished great things for the sake of children, education, and the Kingdom of God. They are nearing the end of a campaign to purchase a 65 acre property that will consolidate multiple campuses. A book that David recommends is: George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution  by Brian Kilmeade

Ty Fischer, Head of School of Veritas Academy in Lancaster, PA, shares random points about his path to and the early days of Veritas, including dropped Bibles, a public library, sewer bills, and a police station. Aside from all the fun of interesting stories about people and places, Ty shares special experiences of the beauty of diversity and the power of community in education. Some books that Ty is reading are: Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up, by Abigail Shrier Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture, by Christopher Watkin

Oliver Asher, President of Advancing Native Missions, tells his story of a journey from a Virginia "Holler" to leading an organization that takes good news to the world. From him we hear about joy, optimism, commitment, and strategies he has employed to lead his growing organization successfully and effectively. Read more about Advancing Native Missions, Oliver, and his book “Invincible Joy!” https://advancingnativemissions.com/ https://www.oliverasher.com/

Dr. Calvin Troup, President of Geneva College opens up about his personal journey into higher ed and shares invaluable insights he's gleaned along the way that will benefit any fundraising professional. Delve into Geneva College's strategic planning process, feasibility studies and pivotal elements in their successful capital campaign. But beyond strategies, discover the profound significance of fostering real relationships and pursuing transparency throughout the fundraising process.   Mentioned in the podcast: A Spirituality of Fundraising: The Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series by Henri J. M. Nouwen and John S. Mogabgab   Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age Confronts Controversial Topics Including Sexuality, Faith, Feminism, Gender Roles, and Modesty by Rosaria Butterfield and Kevin DeYoung   The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy R. Pearcey   “Meditation on the Third Commandment” by C.S. Lewis (Found in the book "God in the Dock")

Here’s the story of Ben Homan, President of Langham Partnership US, finishing his 14-year career with them. When it comes to fundraising, Brad says, “Follow Ben!” He has had a remarkable ministry as a leader and has seen the ministry multiply three times over this past capital campaign. He has used strategic planning, feasibility studies, capital campaigns, and team training in his fund-raising efforts. Perhaps the more important thing is how Ben sees his work with donors as a ministry. How he cares about them and cares for them. Not to mention the excellent fruit in the work of the Kingdom by Langham Partnership. Ben mentions the book, “A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn - the Last Great Battle of the American West” from his reading list.  

Listen to Beth Greco explain to Brad how she became the President and CEO of the Hoving Home, what has happened along the way, and how she manages to get the work done.

Brad Layland interviews Dave Owens, Executive Director of the Harbor Network. Learn about this church planing network and how Dave carries out his fundraising to help it all happen.

What do Punta Gorda, Florida, Australia, and Macedonia have in common? Brooke Filipovski! This remarkable young woman has raised support and ministered to young people in some interesting places. Enjoy her story!

Brad Layland interviews Tom Lin, the president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since 2016.

Brad Layland interviews David Brickner of Jews For Jesus.

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Dan Kennedy discuss year-end appeals, the good the bad, and the ugly.

Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and John Ranheim discuss major gifts, why they're given and why you should be encouraged!

Welcome special guest Jon Eisenberg, Executive Vice President of Development and Chief Development Officer at Intervarsity. Today on The Taking Donors Seriously Podcast Brad Layland and Jon Eisenberg discuss their first exposures to fundraising for ministry and how it has led them to the national campaigns they lead today.