Your fundraising videos look great—but they’re not bringing in the donor support you hoped for. Sound familiar? The truth is, even the most powerful film can only do so much if your message isn’t clear. In today’s episode, I’ll share three key steps to clarify your ministry fundraising message so that your videos (and every other piece of communication) connect with donors in the most effective way. You’ll hear: How to identify the gaps in your current donor communicationThree pra...

You’ve shared your ministry vision, made the ask, and then... crickets. It’s frustrating, discouraging, and it leaves you wondering what went wrong. In this episode, we’ll unpack the #1 thing every donor ask needs that will help move people from silence to a clear understanding, and drive them to action. You’ll learn: Why many ministry leaders unintentionally leave this piece out of their askHow adding it creates clarity for donors and reduces ghostingWhy ***every single ask*** sh...

Are you quietly unhappy in ministry, feeling burned out, or wondering how long you can keep going? You’re not alone. In this conversation with Jourdan Lunsford, we talk about the hidden pain many women ministry leaders carry—and the steps toward healing, joy, and sustainable ministry. Jourdan shares her journey of laying down identity tied to ministry roles, processing unresolved pain, and discovering the power of Sabbath, stillness, and safe vulnerability. If you’ve ever felt the weight of...

Have you ever shared about your ministry and gotten that polite smile… but deep down you knew they didn’t really get it? Maybe their eyes glazed over, or they nodded along, but you could tell your words weren’t landing. It’s frustrating, right? You know your ministry matters. You’ve seen God move. But somehow donors aren’t connecting. In this episode, I’m breaking down three sneaky things that might be confusing your donors. These are super common, and I see them all the time when I work wi...

Are you pouring countless hours into websites, social media, and updates—yet still not seeing donor engagement or ministry growth? You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders feel spread thin, juggling every role and wondering if their efforts are really making a difference. In this episode I share a clear starting point for leaders who feel frustrated, overlooked, or ready to give up on communication strategies that aren’t working. You’ll discover: Why trying to do “all the things” is ke...

You know stories are impactful, but you don't really know how to tell a story well. Or maybe you’re given just a few minutes to share an update and felt unsure how to tell a story that's short but engaging and effective. In this episode, I share another simple story framework—a tool you can use to tell ministry stories with confidence, even when time is short. Storytelling doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or complicated. With the right structure, you can share what God is doing in a way th...

Margo and Joe Carl were told their daughter had a very low chance of survival, after being born at 24 weeks. What followed was nearly 30 years of a deep, ongoing battle—walking through hardship, uncertainty, and countless moments of perseverance as parents. But in the middle of that long season, God was there. He brought goodness out of the struggle in ways only He can. Their journey is one of holding tightly to Jesus when nothing made sense and seeing His faithfulness show up again and aga...

Do you ever feel stuck when it comes to donor communication? You sit down to write an update or share about your ministry, and suddenly the words just don’t come. Or maybe you do get the words out, but they feel flat… and you walk away wondering if donors will ever really get it. You’re not alone. Many women ministry leaders wrestle with the same thing—and underneath it all is something deeper: imposter syndrome. That quiet voice that says, “Who am I to be doing this?” or “I don’t have the ...

If you’ve ever sat down to write your ministry update and thought, “What do I even say?” or “This feels like a chore”—this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through a practical, step-by-step framework for writing email ministry updates that your donors will actually want to read. We’ll cover: Why regular communication keeps donors connected and givingThe 5 steps to writing an effective ministry update emailHow to craft subject lines that make donors the heroWhy startin...

Wouldn’t it be amazing to have a treasure box full of ministry stories—organized, searchable, and ready to share whenever you need them? In this episode of The Story-Driven Ministry, I’ll walk you through 3 simple but powerful steps to help you collect, document, and follow up on impact stories from your ministry. Whether you have five stories or five hundred, this system will save you time, reduce stress, and help you engage your donors in a deeper, more meaningful way. You’ll learn how ...

What do you do when obedience to God leads you into a season of deep loss, unanswered prayers, and silence from heaven? In this raw and vulnerable conversation, missionaries Ben & Jessi Bock share their journey through grief, spiritual burnout, and the haunting feeling that God had abandoned them. From the loss of both their mothers to raising young children in a spiritually dark environment overseas, their story is one of honesty, wrestling with doubt, and ultimately finding healing an...

Does fundraising feel awkward, uncomfortable, or even a little icky? Do you find yourself dreading the “ask” and wishing you could just focus on the ministry work God has called you to? In this episode, Lisa unpacks a powerful mindset shift that can free you from the pressure of fundraising and reframe how you see your donors. What if fundraising wasn’t about asking for money… but offering your donors an incredible gift? You’ll learn: Why your fundraising may feel like begging or bragging...

Is your donor messaging accidentally turning supporters into outsiders? In this episode, I unpack the exact storytelling framework I use with ministries to help them clarify their message, engage their ideal donor, and grow support. You’ll discover how to position your donor as the hero of the story and why your ministry’s role is not to take center stage, but to guide the transformation. Bring a notebook—this one is full of actionable insight. 🔑 What You’ll Learn: Why your messaging might be...

Are your donors tuning you out? You’re doing your best to share your ministry’s heart and mission—but people just nod politely and move on. In this episode, I’ll walk you through why your message may not be connecting and exactly how to cut through the noise with clarity and purpose. We’ll use a simple framework to: Identify your ideal donorLearn how to “call them by name” with your messagingUse storytelling and strategy to speak in a way that makes them perk up and say, “That’s me!”Ready to ...

She poured out everything she had- and still felt like she was failing. In this powerful and personal episode, I sit down with my grandma, Jackie Prevost, to share a story from one of the lowest seasons of her life as a mom of seven. Several of her kids were making destructive choices, and she felt powerless, hopeless, and heartbroken. This conversation is for every ministry leader, parent, or faithful follower who has loved deeply… and still wondered if it was making a difference. We explore...

If your audience or donors don’t seem as passionate about your mission as you are-this episode is for you. In this kickoff to The Story-Driven Ministry, I share why ministries often struggle with donor engagement (even when the mission is strong), a behind-the-scenes look at a film that helped sponsor hundreds of children, and how storytelling—done right—can deepen support and grow your impact. You’ll leave with clarity, encouragement, and a clear path to more effective communication. Ready t...

Are your donors pulling back- or not responding at all? In this episode, we unpack the real reasons donor support may be stalling. It’s not just the economy or donor fatigue. You’ll learn: Common excuses ministry leaders may believe about low givingWhy messaging is often the disconnectA story-driven approach that invites donors inHow clarity beats cleverness in donor engagementWalk away with practical insights and a new way to connect with your supporters. Ready to clarify your ministry’s mes...

You’re a ministry leader who longs to share what God is doing with clarity and impact. Yet too often your message feels scattered, and raising support feels heavy. Welcome to The Story-Driven Ministry Podcast—a space to help you tell stories that glorify God, nurture donors, and strengthen the mission He’s called you to. I’m Lisa Diaz. For 15 years I’ve partnered with ministries to craft stories that reflect God’s work, connect hearts, and build trust with supporters. Each week, you’ll ...