"God could drop the money in your lap, but instead, He takes you through a process that humbles you, grows your faith, and challenges you to see ministry as a team sport—not an individual one."

"Support raising is counter-cultural, but it’s not counter-biblical. It transcends culture, and though it’s awkward and hard, it’s a biblical practice that God uses to prepare us for ministry."

Heather and Andy are joined by kingdom entrepreneur Aaron Gonyou of Unmuzzled Ox to discuss the critical aspects of preparing ministry workers for their assignments. They delve into the essential aspects of preparing ministry workers for their assignments. Drawing from decades of diverse experiences, Aaron highlights common pitfalls organizations encounter when equipping staff for partnership development. He emphasizes the significance of comprehensive preparation, identifies major mistakes that can hinder fundraising efforts, and discusses the multifaceted benefits of holistic support from local churches. Throughout the conversation, Aaron shares practical advice and personal stories from his extensive background in both business and ministry.

In this episode:

• 00:00 - Why Support Raising Matters
  Aaron explains how God uses the process of support raising to prepare ministry workers for their calling.
• 03:06 - Aaron’s Journey to Unmuzzled Ox
  Aaron shares his background, from Bible college to founding Unmuzzled Ox, and how his experiences shaped his mission.
• 05:25 - The Seven Keys to Successful Preparation
  A breakdown of common pitfalls and essential steps organizations need to prepare ministry workers effectively.
• 08:05 - The Role of Local Church Blessing
  Why the endorsement of a local church is critical for ministry success.
• 13:14 - Misconceptions About Support Raising
  Exploring the balance between making support raising sound too easy or too hard—and finding the “sweet spot.”
• 18:55 - Counter-Cultural but Biblical
  The challenges of support raising in different cultural contexts and its biblical foundation.
• 22:59 - The Formation Process in Support Raising
  How the journey of fundraising shapes ministry workers to become more like Jesus.
• 25:33 - The Importance of Clear Goals and Accountability
  Why having defined roles, goals, and strong HR processes is essential for success.
• 29:29 - Innovative Approaches to Support Raising
  Discussion on innovative HR practices, like paying minimum wage during support raising.
• 45:26 - The Need for Coaching and Community
  Highlighting the importance of having a coach and a core support team to navigate the fundraising journey.
• 51:41 - Encouragement for Ministry Workers
  Aaron provides a heartfelt message to ministry workers about the significance of their work and their role in advancing the Gospel.
• 53:12 - Closing Thoughts
  Final reflections on embracing change and trusting God’s work through imperfect systems.

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“There is no scarcity in heaven. Never has been, never will be. And there should be no scarcity in our thinking as we move through ministry.”

“Don’t let your only point of contact be an appeal for money. Let your points of contact be person-driven, not finance-driven.”

In this episode of It’s Not About the Money, hosts Heather Winchell and Andy Brennan welcome special guest Kenton K. to discuss the key themes of a previous conversation with fundraising expert Mary Valloni. The episode dives into the stark contrast between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset in ministry fundraising. Kenton shares from his 25 years of experience living on support, offering valuable insights on stewardship, donor engagement, and building authentic relationships.

The conversation highlights the importance of personal connection with supporters, expressing gratitude, and embracing generosity even while relying on support. Kenton shares inspiring stories of unexpected provision, the impact of small gifts, and how God’s faithfulness is revealed in fundraising. This episode is packed with practical advice and heartwarming examples of how trust, generosity, and intentional relationship-building can transform financial support into a shared mission.

In this episode:

• Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset and how that changes everything in fundraising.
• How personal relationships—not just financial asks—build lasting donor support.
• Practical ways to express gratitude that make supporters feel valued and connected.
• We unpack the power of generosity, even while living on support, and how it reflects God’s provision.
• Betty Barnett's Friend Raising – A guide to building meaningful support-based fundraising relationships.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”

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"Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s built in the little, consistent moments where we show up authentically."

"When you go in for a transaction instead of a relationship, it feels dirty. But fundraising isn’t about money—it’s about partnerships and impact."

"We aren’t selling a product—we’re inviting people to be part of the greatest mission of all time."

In this episode, Mary Valloni, fundraising expert and host of the Fully Funded Podcast, joins the conversation to unpack the crucial role of trust in donor relationships. She shares insights from her journey, from raising her own support in college ministry to helping nonprofits secure sustainable funding. Mary emphasizes that fundraising isn’t just about money—it’s about building authentic partnerships, shifting from a scarcity to an abundance mindset, and representing ministry with integrity. She also introduces practical strategies, including the Know-Like-Trust-Give model and the power of having a personal advisory team to strengthen donor relationships. Packed with wisdom and actionable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to fundraise with confidence and purpose.

In this episode:

• Why trust is more critical than ever in today's skeptical world
• How being genuine transforms donor partnerships
• Kingdom perspective on fundraising
• Actionable advice for cultivating trust and authenticity
• You can get your copy of Fully Funded now!
• More information on Fully Funded Academy and the work and partnership of Mary Valloni and Mike Kim

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WOW, what a season. We had fantastic stand alone conversations about church partnerships, domestic fundraising, spiritual health, soul care, and so much more. Heather was joined by special co-host Jenn Smyth for a six part mini-series on fundraising in ethnically diverse communities.

Andy and Heather briefly review this season's episodes, give some stats from Spotify, and share a sneak peak for what is coming up in season 4!

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In this episode of "It's Not About the Money," Heather and Andy sit down with Dr. Will Smallwood from Cedarville University. Dr. Smallwood shares the incredible journey of Cedarville's 1000 Days Transformed campaign, which has raised over $158.7 million to date. He discusses his unexpected path to becoming a career fundraiser, the vital role of storytelling in fundraising, and the importance of intentional discipleship at Cedarville.

Dr. Smallwood also opens up about personal challenges, including his battle with cancer, and how it has shaped his perspective on faith and leadership. This episode is a compelling exploration of God's provision, the power of vision casting, and the significance of culture in advancement work.

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Join Heather and co-host Jenn as they conclude their mini-series on the unique considerations of support raising in ethnically diverse communities. In this episode, they are joined by Beth Smith, interim MPD director with BSM in Texas. Beth shares her extensive experience in fundraising within the Baptist Student Ministry and the insights gained from supporting a diverse staff. From understanding the cultural nuances of different communities to creating effective resources, Beth sheds light on the importance of listening, learning, and adapting in the fundraising process.

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In this fifth episode of the mini-series, Heather and Jenn are excited to welcome Jeremiah Vaught, who, along with his wife Maysa, has been deeply involved in ministry and church planting in Chicago. Jeremiah shares his journey from the initial days of fundraising to planting a church in one of the most diverse zip codes in the nation. He discusses the cultural nuances of fundraising, the challenges of asking for support within different communities, and how their entrepreneurial ventures have supported their ministry.

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Join Heather and special co-host Jenn as they continue their mini-series focused on fundraising considerations from ethnically diverse backgrounds. In this episode, they are thrilled to speak with Dennis and Evangeline Chow, who are currently serving in the Philippines. The Chows share their unique journey from college days at Penn State to their impactful ministry at Faith Academy, where they support missionary kids. They delve into the challenges and joys of fundraising within Asian American communities, highlighting the cultural nuances and relational dynamics that shape their support-raising efforts. From overcoming initial fears to embracing a partnership development approach, Dennis and Evangeline offer invaluable insights and practical tips for thriving in support-based ministry.

Tailored Fundraising

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