Have you been discouraged, ignored, or brushed off while trying to raise support—especially by pastors or church leaders?

Maybe you’ve reached out for meetings, sent messages, shared your heart, and still… nothing.

Or worse, they take the meeting, but they don’t take you seriously.

And if you’re a woman leader, it can feel even more painful.

You may wonder:

“Do they respect my calling?”

“Would they listen if I were a man?”

“Is anyone ever going to give me a chance?”

In this episode, we unpack why this happens—and what you can actually do about it. You’ll learn the three steps that bring clarity, confidence, and peace when fundraising feels like a dead end.

What You’ll Learn

• Why some people simply will not respond to your message—and why it’s not your fault.
• How to tailor your messaging so the right people finally pay attention.
• When to stop striving and release the outcome to God with confidence.

Similar Episodes:

04 | Get Your Donors To Pay Attention Amidst the Noise

09 | 5 Steps to Write Your Ministry Newsletter So Donors Engage

13 | Low Donor Growth? 3 Things to Prioritize in Your Donor Communication

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

If you’re ending the year feeling discouraged, burned out, or wondering why your ministry isn’t further along… this episode is for you.

Maybe you expected more donors… more financial stability… more momentum.

Maybe you’ve tried everything—posting consistently, sharing stats, updating your messaging, sharing all the incredible things your ministry does—and yet nothing seems to stick.

If you’re tired of doing “all the things” and seeing little response, this episode will encourage you, give you clarity, and help you focus on what actually moves donors to action.

What You’ll Learn

• Why your messaging may not be working even when your ministry is doing amazing things.
• How one story can move donors faster than stats, announcements, or platforms ever will.
• The one mindset shift that helps you stop striving and start communicating with clarity.

Similar Episodes:

01 | Why Don't Donors Care Like I Do? How to Increase Donor Engagement

05 | 7 Steps to Engage Your Donor: The Story Framework

14 | 3 Things Confusing Your Donors (and How to Fix Them)

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

What happens when your ministry has a powerful vision—but no clear direction?

In today’s episode, I sit down with my mom, a missionary to Spain for over 40 years, to talk about how their team had a God-given dream to share the gospel in every province of Spain—but no real plan for how to do it.

After countless hours of footage, and no cohesive story, everything shifted when they discovered the power of story structure. What started as an unfocused idea grew into a nationwide storytelling movement that produced 52 short films—now shared around the world in nine languages.

You’ll hear how storytelling brought clarity, creativity, and direction to their ministry vision, and how God continues to use these testimonies to reach hearts across nations.

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why a clear story structure can turn confusion into clarity for your ministry vision.
• How testimonies connect with people more powerfully than facts or information.
• The spiritual and practical impact of telling real stories with intentionality.

Join the free community for Women Leaders fundraising for ministry.

Watch the films here: https://www.youtube.com/@aporlas52

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

You walk on stage. The timer starts. You’ve got five minutes—just five—to share what God is doing through your ministry and invite people to be part of it.

How do you get people interested that quickly?

How do you move hearts in such a short window without sounding rushed or overwhelmed?

In this episode, I'll break down a 5-step storytelling framework that will help you make the most of your 5-Minute Window. You’ll learn exactly what to say (and what not to say) to capture attention, connect emotionally, and inspire donors to take action—without feeling salesy or scattered.

Whether you’re presenting at a church service, missions Sunday, or a partner banquet, this simple structure will help you share your story with confidence and clarity.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• How to open with a story hook that immediately captures attention
• The 5-step structure for crafting a donor-focused presentation that connects and converts
• How to call people to action in a way that feels natural and spirit-led

Similar Episodes:

20 | Still Not Seeing Donations? 3 Things Every Fundraiser Must Make Crystal Clear

05 | 7 Steps to Engage Your Donor: The Story Framework

09 | 5 Steps to Write Your Ministry Newsletter So Donors Engage

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

As ministries approach year-end giving season, it’s easy to feel the pressure to “wow” donors with staggering statistics or shocking facts. But here’s the truth: numbers don’t move people.

In this episode, I'll unpack the science behind why people make decisions emotionally before they ever think logically. You’ll learn why statistics often fail to connect with donors and how to use storytelling to engage their hearts first—then support your story with numbers that actually stick.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• Why statistics and logic alone don’t motivate giving
• The right way to pair storytelling and statistics so donors see both heart and impact
• How this approach transforms year-end fundraising and everyday donor communication

Similar Episodes:

16 | Donors Ghosting You? The #1 Thing Every Ask Must Have

21 | When Donors Drop Off: 3 Ways to Keep Donations Flowing

12 | Ministry Storytelling Made Simple: A Framework to Engage Donors

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

Does your ministry ever hit a “quiet” season—when nothing big is happening, donations feel slow, and you’re not sure what to say in your newsletter?

In this episode, I share how to stay encouraged and keep your donor communication strong, even when ministry feels dry or uneventful.

What You’ll Learn

1. How to recognize God’s work when ministry feels quiet or slow.
2. Simple fundraising ideas for when you think there’s “nothing to share.”
3. How to find and tell one person’s story that connects emotionally with donors and encourages ongoing donations.

Similar Episodes:

08 | 3 Steps to Build a Ministry Story Bank that Engages Donors

20 | Still Not Seeing Donations? 3 Things Every Fundraiser Must Make Crystal Clear

16 | Donors Ghosting You? The #1 Thing Every Ask Must Have

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare. Wendy, a faithful follower of Jesus, never imagined it would happen to her, and yet it did. Why would God allow it? Wasn't He their protector? Didn't He know the good that her son could've done in the world?

Wendy opens up about the anger, doubt, and feelings of betrayal that followed, the moment she chose to worship in the dirt where her son took his last breath, and how God met her there in the midst of unbearable pain. Her story offers hope for anyone questioning God’s goodness after loss.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The early days of grief and her response to God
• How Wendy’s view of God was transformed through the pain
• The role of worship and honesty in healing
• How to walk with others through deep loss

If you or someone you love has experienced profound loss, this conversation will remind you that God can handle our hardest questions—and that hope can still rise from heartbreak.

Similar Episodes:

03 | Pouring Out & Still Failing w/ Jackie Prevost

07 | Forgotten by God: Grief, Doubt & Hope w/ Ben & Jessi Bock

11 | Persevering Through Years of Hardship w/ Margo & Joe Carl

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com

If you’ve ever stared at your ministry’s social media page wondering “What do I even post?” — this episode is for you!

I'll break down a simple, story-driven approach to creating posts that actually grab attention and get people to engage. You’ll learn how to think strategically about each platform, write captions that hook your audience, and guide followers toward meaningful next steps that strengthen donor relationships.

Whether you’re running your ministry’s social media yourself or managing a small team, this episode will help you replace the overwhelm with clarity and confidence.

🧭 What You’ll Learn

1. How to tailor your posts to fit your ministry’s priority platform
2. The storytelling secret to capturing attention and engagement
3. Why one clear call-to-action per post makes all the difference

Similar Episodes:

09 | 5 Steps to Write Your Ministry Update Email So Donors Engage

17 | When Fundraising Videos Don't Work - 3 Steps for Clear Donor Messaging

14 | 3 Things Confusing Your Donors (and How to Fix Them)

Ready to clarify your ministry’s message and engage donors? Schedule a free call: https://irisstorytelling.com/getstarted

👉 Grab your free Ministry Newsletter Guide to easily write those updates that your donors want to read: https://irisstorytelling.com/guide

Connect w/ me:
lisa@irisstorytelling.com
https://irisstorytelling.com