Meet the Team
Meet our passionate team, dedicated to delivering food and support to those in need across Nigeria, driven by compassion and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Founder & President
Judd Saul
Judd Saul is a family man, award-winning documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur, and missionary who embarked on a call to action in Nigeria in 2011. He and his wife Sherry have 5 children, all witnessing the vision unfold when Grandfather Duane Wessels invited Judd to join him on a mission trip. The trip changed Judd's life forever. He realized the stark reality, of the risk and sacrifice facing these people, and a burden was placed on his heart for the lost and persecuted Christians in Nigeria.
Since then, ministering to Nigerians has been a part of Judd's life, regularly serving in Nigeria for over ten years, and he continues to visit 3-4 times a year. It was apparent that escalating attacks outpaced the few Christian missions and organizations effectively responding to the attacks. Talking to local ministers and missionaries, Judd decided to start Equipping The Persecuted to respond and help persecuted Christians in need quickly.
The local leadership affirmed that there are effective ways to help persecuted Christians in addition to victim aftercare. A proactive, prevention mission was put together with a team of “tested by fire” pastors, missionaries, and dedicated supporters to avert crises - creating the boots on the ground, locally managed Equipping The Persecuted.
Pastor | Ministry Outreach
Pastor Sam Jones
Pastor Sam Jones serves Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Humboldt, IA as Senior Pastor. He married the love of his life, Sarah, in 2013; they have two sons, Thomas and Henry. He is most known for his teachings on the 4 spheres of delegated government and for being a voice for the pre-born.
In addition to his Pastoral schedule, Pastor Sam is an avid podcaster and has been known to dabble in radio as well. His political commentary has appeared in dozens of news outlets across the country including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and The Iowa Standard.
Pastor Sam is the author of 5 Steps to Kill a Nation. He is also a co-author of Social Injustice, Church and State, and Enemies Within the Church Bible Study.
Board Member
Steve Fisher
Steve Fisher, known in Nigeria as "Grandpa Steve," is one of the faithful board members of Equipping The Persecuted. He is originally from Sioux City, IA, and now resides in Ponca, NE, with his wife, Leanne. In the fall of 1971, while attending Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD, he accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Steve's love for Africa was born when he spent three years with the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa, teaching math and science at a secondary school. He also assisted the local missionaries with Scripture Union Bible study with the students. Upon his return, Steve and Leanne were married and had five children, all of which were homeschooled, and they now have fourteen grandchildren. Steve received a Master's in Electrical Engineering degree from Iowa State University in 1989. Steve and Leanne are members of Cornerstone World Outreach in Sioux City, IA.
Advocacy director
Kyle Abts
Kyle Abts has worked for over twenty-five years in community development and emergency relief with various agencies: Food for the Hungry, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Sports Friends and SIM-USA. Serving in Nigeria he has led various projects that included Widows & Orphan care, Income Generating Projects, Literacy, Health and coordinated projects for Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). He's served as a Consular Warden for the US Embassy in Nigeria, as well on various committees in Nigeria (both government and NGO), but also on various boards for micro-finance, along with relief and development projects. Over 20 years of experience in the international non-profit and non-governmental organization sector implementing programs through identifying and developing methods of serving target populations.
Fundraising and Media Relations Associate
Franc Utoo
Franc Utoo is the Fundraising and Media Relations Associate at Equipping the Persecuted, where he brings together legal training, public sector experience, and advocacy expertise to mobilize support for persecuted Christians in Nigeria. A native of Yelewata in Benue State—one of the communities most devastated by genocidal attacks targeting Christians—Franc speaks as both a survivor and a committed advocate for families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.
Franc recently graduated with a Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Oklahoma, further sharpening his skills in ethical leadership, governance, and nonprofit management. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom in 2011, and completed his professional legal training at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, in 2012/2013, where he was elected President of the Students Representative Council (SRC), a role that honed his leadership, negotiation, and representation abilities.
Before joining Equipping the Persecuted, Franc served in senior public service roles in Nigeria, including as Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State, overseeing project implementation and community-focused initiatives. Over the years, he has become a recognized voice on the genocide against Christians in Nigeria, testifying before the United States Congress, engaging policymakers, and addressing international media to press for protection, justice, and accountability for vulnerable communities. In his current role, he helps connect the stories and urgent needs of persecuted believers with partners and supporters around the world, advancing the mission to protect, equip, and give hope to those who suffer for their faith.
Pastor | Ministry Outreach
Pastor Jason D. Hartung
Pastor Jason D. Hartung has been serving the Lord in pastoral/missional ministry since 1999, following several years of preparation and training through Bible College and Seminary.
Pastor Jason has been married to his precious wife, Ashley, for 24 years and they have been blessed with seven children—six through adoption and one biological. Their family has also experienced the loss of six children whom they look forward to meeting again one day in the presence of Jesus.
For ten years, Pastor Jason and Ashley also served as a foster family, having the privilege of loving and caring for more than 57 children.
Pastor Jason's greatest desire is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by faithfully proclaiming the truth of God's Word. His passion is particularly centered upon the absolute truth, authority, and trustworthiness of Scripture, the biblical design and purpose of the local Church, the power and work of the Holy Spirit, and the transforming hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Being a part of Equipping The Persecuted is God’s amazing calling upon Pastor Jason’s life. It beautifully combines the years of pastoral ministry with the burning passion to equip the Church internationally to powerfully proclaim the Gospel despite persecution.
Chief Financial Officer
Sam Brannon
Samuel Brannon serves as Chief Financial Officer of Equipping the Persecuted, overseeing the ministry’s finances and ensuring faithful stewardship of donor resources. Sam works alongside his wife, Jaylin, and the ETP team to support the ministry’s work with persecuted Christians in Nigeria.
Sam holds a master’s degree in Data Science from South Dakota State University. He brings an analytical approach and a heart for ministry to his work, helping connect financial planning with practical care for those facing persecution.
Sam also travels to Nigeria to preach at the annual youth conference and minister to children at the orphanage and students at the ministry’s school and college. These visits have strengthened his commitment to serving persecuted Christians and delivering aid to those in need.
Secretary, Office Manager & Executive Assistant
Anna Hacker
Anna serves as Secretary, Office Manager, and Executive Assistant for Equipping the Persecuted, supporting the team through donor support, event planning, scheduling, and the day-to-day needs of the ministry. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve Christ through her work and to help share the story of ETP and the persecuted Church in Nigeria.
Anna has followed Equipping the Persecuted since the beginning of the ministry. Before joining the ETP team, she traveled to Nigeria for the ministry’s annual pastors conference. Her time there deeply strengthened her love for the Nigerian Church and her desire to serve persecuted Christians. Seeing the faith and resilience of the believers ETP serves gave her an even greater desire to help support and encourage the persecuted Church.
She considers it a privilege to play a part in ETP’s mission to serve persecuted Christians and hopes to continue supporting the ministry and sharing its work with others for the glory of God.
Digital Media, Communications & ETP Coffee
Jaylin Brannon
Jaylin Brannon serves on the Equipping the Persecuted team, sharing ETP’s mission through digital media, communications, and creative content. She also manages ETP Coffee, using coffee as another way to support and further ETP’s mission. Through her time serving alongside communities in Nigeria, Jaylin has built meaningful relationships and witnessed firsthand the impact of ETP’s ministry. These experiences have deepened her passion for standing alongside and supporting the persecuted Church.
Graphic Design & Creative Communications
Faith Pace
Faith Pace has been part of Equipping The Persecuted since 2019, back when the team consisted of just her and founder Judd Saul. In those early days, her job description was simple: whatever needed to get done! From juggling administrative tasks to tackling any challenge Judd threw her way, she has worn just about every hat imaginable as the ministry has grown.
These days, Faith spends most of her time on graphic design and creative communications. She enjoys bringing ideas to life and using her creativity and attention to detail to play a small part in the work God is doing through Equipping The Persecuted.
When she's not behind a computer, Faith and her husband, Taylor, are busy keeping up with their two young children, Riley and Liam. Motherhood is her favorite role yet!
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