The Blessings Broadcast

Blessings International
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Non-Profit

Exploring how faith, service, and medicine work together, locally and globally. Hosted by Barry Ewy and Laura Berry.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Being Intentional about People, Treasure, and Eternity: Dr. Nicholas Comninellis

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

    Being Intentional about People, Treasure, and Eternity: Dr. Nicholas Comninellis

  2. Sep 7

    Developing Sustainable Mission Systems: Will Rogers

    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): www.medicalmissions.comTranscript www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-4

    Developing Sustainable Mission Systems: Will Rogers

  3. Aug 3

    Effective Grant Strategies: Insights from a Funding Expert: Bernie Morris

    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 grantsChallenges faith-based organizations face in securing public funding and how to navigate faith component restrictionsSignals of trustworthiness from foundations—financial stability, leadership strength, and transparencyKey components to include in a grant proposal: problem statement, solution, impact measures, and alignment with funder prioritiesCommon pitfalls, such as being too verbose or lacking succinct impact storytellingStrategies to shift from solely asking for funds to viewing fundraising as partnership-buildingHow to demonstrate spiritual impact without compromising transparency or authenticityThe importance of researching funders thoroughly and understanding their cycles and preferencesPractical tips for grant application success, including leveraging AI tools for prep and what to do after a rejectionBernie’s favorite Bible verse and encouragement for faith-based fundraisersTimestamps: 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 3:20Transcript www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-3

    Effective Grant Strategies: Insights from a Funding Expert: Bernie Morris

  4. Jul 6

    Stories and Tips from a Medical Mission Veteran: Troy Sledge, RN, MSN

    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 MexicoThe spiritual impact and miraculous events observed during missions, such as villages accepting Christ and healing storiesPractical advice for preparation, vetting team members, and handling unexpected situations in cross-cultural settingsThe importance of long-term engagement and how continual presence adds sustainability and valueManaging team dynamics, including handling difficult personalities and ensuring spiritual and logistical readinessThe role of obedience, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit in guiding mission workThe 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 6:8Blessings International Mission ResourcesTranscript: www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-2

    Stories and Tips from a Medical Mission Veteran: Troy Sledge, RN, MSN

  5. Jul 6

    Faith, Service, and Medical Missions: Introduction

    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 1981How faith and service intersect in medical missionsKey resources, tools, and topics for organizations serving globally and locallyThe importance of collaboration and shared experiences in medical missionsInspiring 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 InternationalBlessings Organization Verse - Hebrews 6:14Bible Book of ActsTranscript www.blessing.org/blog-post/episode-1

    Faith, Service, and Medical Missions: Introduction
  • 5 Episodes

About

Exploring how faith, service, and medicine work together, locally and globally. Hosted by Barry Ewy and Laura Berry.

Information

  • Creator
    Blessings International
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Blessings International

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