Funded & Sent

What do pastors actually wish missionaries knew before reaching out? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears flip the script and invite two pastors — Pastor Brad McAtee from Peace Chapel and Pastor Brent Hurt from Brighton Assembly – to share what it's really like on the receiving end of missionary outreach. They walk through what pastors want to hear in that first phone call, why a face...

What does it take to keep a church partnership strong for the long haul? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears continue their conversation with Pastor Brad McAtee and Pastor Brent Hurt, diving into what healthy, lasting missionary-church relationships look like from the pastor's perspective. They walk through what pastors actually want in newsletters, why follow-up matters more than mo...

How do you actually get in front of a pastor — and what do you do once you're there? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears walk through the practical how-to's of contacting churches, getting services scheduled, and making presentations that lead to lasting partnership. They cover the three main methods of outreach — phone calls, pastor's packets, and email — including when to...

You've scheduled the service — now what? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears walk through everything you need to know to show up prepared, serve the church well, and make the most of your time on the platform. They cover the key questions to ask a pastor before you arrive, how to handle the pray-give-go call to action, tips for setting up an engaging display table, and practical spea...

How do you stay connected with your supporters over the long term? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears break down the importance of consistent communication and how it directly impacts your ability to stay fully funded. They cover best practices for newsletters, how often to send them, and what content actually keeps supporters engaged. You’ll also learn the difference between macro commu...

How do you confidently make phone calls for support raising? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears break down a simple, practical approach to partnership calls —from preparation and prayer to guiding the conversation with clarity and purpose. They share how to start the call, transition naturally into your ask, and communicate clearly about both prayer and financial partnership. You’ll also...

How do you lead a successful support-raising appointment? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears walk through a simple, proven structure for effective partnership meetings . They explain how to prepare well, build genuine rapport, and confidently guide the conversation from connection to a clear ask. You’ll learn how to share your story, present the need, invite others into the solution, and...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Funded & Sent Podcast . Hosts Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears introduce the heart behind the podcast and their passion for helping global workers be funded & sent to the field. With decades of combined experience in missions and support coaching, Jenn and Josh share their own journeys in support raising and explain why they created this podcast. Each ep...

Why do missionaries raise support from individuals? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears explain why individual partnership is foundational to becoming funded & sent . Research shows that most charitable giving comes from individuals, and personal asks are far more effective than mass emails or letters.

Where do you start when raising support? In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears walk through the first practical step in the support-raising process: building your contact list . They introduce the concept of “name-storming” —creating a list of everyone you know without filtering or guessing who might give. Jenn and Josh explain how to aim for a list of around 300 contacts , organize them in...

In this episode, Jenn Fortner and Josh Sears explain the purpose and power of the invitation letter —a key tool for starting meaningful conversations with people on your contact list. [High-quality color photo of Don & Dawn smiling] Don & Dawn E_______ Training church planting teams to make Christ known in the Arab world. May 5, 2014 John & Jane, Dawn & I feel like kids who've...