Meet the team

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  Judd Saul

  Founder & President

  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 started the ministry now known as Persecuted.com 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 a boots-on-the-ground, locally managed ministry.

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  Pastor Sam Jones

  Pastor, Ministry Outreach

  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.

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  Steve Fisher

  Board Member

  Steve Fisher, known in Nigeria as "Grandpa Steve," is one of the faithful board members of Persecuted.com. 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.

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  Kyle Abts

  Advocacy Director

  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.

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  Franc Utoo

  Fundraising and Media Relations Associate

  Franc Utoo is the Fundraising and Media Relations Associate at Persecuted.com, 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. 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).

  Before joining Persecuted.com, Franc served in senior public service roles in Nigeria, including as Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State. 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.

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  Pastor Jason D. Hartung

  Pastor, Ministry Outreach

  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.

  Being a part of Persecuted.com 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.

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  Samuel Brannon

  Chief Financial Officer

  Samuel Brannon serves as Chief Financial Officer of Persecuted.com, overseeing the ministry’s finances and ensuring faithful stewardship of donor resources. Sam works alongside his wife, Jaylin, and the Persecuted.com 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 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.

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  Anna Hacker

  Secretary, Office Manager & Executive Assistant

  Anna serves as Secretary, Office Manager, and Executive Assistant for Persecuted.com, supporting the team through donor support, event planning, scheduling, and the day-to-day needs of the ministry.

  Anna has followed the ministry since the beginning. Before joining the 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.

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  Jaylin Brannon

  Digital Media, Communications & ETP Coffee

  Jaylin Brannon serves on the Persecuted.com team, sharing the ministry’s mission through digital media, communications, and creative content. She also manages ETP Coffee, using coffee as another way to support and further the mission. Through her time serving alongside communities in Nigeria, Jaylin has built meaningful relationships and witnessed firsthand the impact of the ministry.

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  Faith Pace

  Graphic Design & Creative Communications

  Faith Pace has been part of the ministry 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! 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. When she's not behind a computer, Faith and her husband, Taylor, are busy keeping up with their two young children, Riley and Liam.

The ministry is also advised by a board of advisors. Read our statement of faith.