Our Team - Equipping The Persecuted

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.

Mr. 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.

Mr. 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.

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.

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.

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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.

Contact us

5704 Sunnybrook Drive
Sioux City, IA 51106