Inside the Struggle: Christian Humanitarian Organizations, Funding Cuts, and the Future

May 9, 2025

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In this episode, we sit down with Michael Cerna from the Accord Network and Elli Oswald from the Faith to Action Initiative to talk about what happens when faith-based nonprofits face major funding cuts.

Spoiler: it’s tough.

From staff layoffs to shifting American opinions on international engagement, Michael and Elli share the hard realities—and the hope. We get real about working with the government, why accountability matters, and how churches can step up.

Plus, Michael and Elli share their perspectives on how young leaders and global communities are sparking change in powerful ways. This episode is honest, eye-opening, and full of practical wisdom for anyone in the nonprofit or ministry world.

Read more from Michael Cerna/The ACCORD network:

Michael Cerna | Faith, Funding, and Foreign Aid:

https://www.nae.org/michael-cerna-relief-development-faith-government-funding-usaid-todays-conversation-podcast/ Read about how one organization in Faith to Action's network is being impacted:

https://wng.org/roundups/the-usaid-closure-leaves-a-vacuum-what-will-fill-it-1740694625

Bio:

Michael Cerna:

Michael Cerna serves as CEO of Accord Network, a coalition of over 150 Christian organizations dedicated to global relief and development. Prior to leading the Accord Network, Cerna served in strategic and partnership roles at HOPE International, Mission: Hope, and Renew Outreach. He also previously worked at McKinsey & Company and holds a master’s degree in International Management from Kennesaw State University.

Elli Oswald:

Elli Oswald is the Executive Director of the Faith to Action Initiative. Before this role, she served as Director of Mission and Outreach at Bethany Community Church in Seattle. Elli also served as the Children in Crisis Research and Communications Coordinator for World Vision International’s Child Development and Rights Technical Team, specializing in community-based care for children deprived of parental care. She has a B.A. from Pepperdine University and an M.A. in Cross Cultural Studies and International Development from Fuller Theological Seminary.

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The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website.

Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid.

This episode was produced by WildfireCreative

Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance

Follow on Instagram: @wildfirecreativeco @wheaton_hdi

(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll host Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to “do good, better” involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes, we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction–especially in our blind spots.)

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