About Hope Over Crisis

Our Story, Mission and Vision, Statement of Faith, Leadership, News and Updates

Our Story

How it all started…

The world is filled with disasters and crises that affect countless lives—far more than relief organizations, especially Christian ones, can respond to. To make matters worse there remains 3.2 billion men, women, and children who have yet to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, they live in the highest percentages of poverty and disaster prone regions in the world. This reality deeply impacted Grant and Megan Parker as they lived and worked across the globe.

In 2004, Romans 15:20-21 resonated with them during a Bible study: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known…‘Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.’” The reality that billions of people had never heard the name of Jesus, let alone the gospel, and the fact that Jesus is worthy to be worshipped by all who will call on his name, was used by God to ignite their mission.

The Parkers saw the church in the places they worked often persecuted, ostracized, and overlooked by western humanitarian agencies and missionaries. They also saw that crises often leave local churches under-resourced, sidelined, and for the most part, unable to serve their suffering communities. Though small, persecuted and isolated, they existed and many of them remained faithful despite living in some of the world’s most volatile and hostile regions.

The Parkers believed the church, carrying the eternal hope of Christ, is the most untapped emergency responder in the world. They felt called to equip and empower local believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their own communities, especially in times of crisis. What better way to gain rapport than to bring to the table the incredible tangible and spiritual hope one possesses during the other’s time of deep need? The churches reality in these places is that they are more than conquers (Rom. 8:37); have been blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3); and have been commissioned as well into his great commission (Matt. 28:18-20).

On March 14, 2020, Hope Over Crisis was born—a small organization with a big mission: to serve a hurting world while equipping the church to bring both tangible aid and eternal hope. Their work is driven by one truth: people matter because they bear God’s image, and Jesus is on a mission to redeem and restore.

Hope Over Crisis exists to make Christ known in places where He has yet to be seen, longing for the day when a countless multitude will stand before the throne, worshiping the Lamb. Until then, they will labor to ensure those who have not heard will understand.

Expanding the Vision

Being a ministry of prayer, striving for efficiency, committed to gospel accuracy, empowering the local church, and a focus on the unreached parts of the world; we aim to work in 36 countries, partnering with 10,000 churches. We endeavor to empower local churches to close the largest missional gap of our time and become the beacon of hope – the ambassadors of Christ they are designed to be in their communities.

Mission & Vision

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages… proclaiming the gospel… and healing every affliction… He had compassion for them… Then he said, ‘Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'” Matt. 9:35-38

Our Mission

We empower local churches in regions resistant to the gospel to lead in times of crisis, sharing hope, restoring dignity, and transforming lives
through Jesus.

Our Vision

We envision a world where local churches lead their communities through crises with strength,
compassion, and the gospel.

Hope Over Crisis is a non-profit, 501(c)3, non-denominational, evangelical organization dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. We focus on training churches in some of the world’s most challenging countries, where Christians face oppression and persecution, to respond to crises in their communities. Our unique strategy is informed by over 20 years of experience in international ministry contexts. As a newer organization, we are on a mission to empower the global Church to be a beacon of hope in times of adversity.

Statement Of Faith

Statement Of Faith - Read Here

THE BIBLE
The whole Bible is the inspired Word of God, given through the authors of both the Old and New Testaments, the written record of His supernatural revelation of Himself to every human being, absolute in its authority in all of life and every matter under the sun, complete in its revelation, final in its content, and without any errors in its teachings. (Mark 12:26, 36; 13:11; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Acts 1:16; 17:2–3; 18:28; 26:22–23; 28:23; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 2:13; 10:11; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21).

PEOPLE: All men and women in their natural state while complex are lost, alienated from God, and spiritually dead: “All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). According the Bible, God created two equal sexes, male and female. While equal, their roles are distinct, and the heart of God for them is that they know, enjoy, and glorify Him. The Bible also states that the institute and covenantal bond of marriage is to be enjoyed and observed by one man and one woman as a representation of God’s covenantal commitment to His children and His church (Gen 3).
                       

SALVATION: Salvation is only by grace alone, a free gift of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus alone, who died for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3). Those who thus receive Christ by faith have their sins forgiven (Eph. 1:7), their hearts cleansed (Acts 15:9), are born of the Spirit, become children of God (Jn. 1:12, 13), are made new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) and are eternally secure in their new reality.

GOD: God is One God, perfect, all powerful, and The Creator of all things, Who reveals Himself in three Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet is One. Jesus Christ, as the Scriptures affirm, is the Son of God and Son of man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and is Himself very God. (Gen. 1, 3,; Deut. 6:4; Dan. 7:13-14; Luke 1:35; Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:17)
 

HOLY SPIRIT: We believe in the work, person, and power of the Holy Spirit. We believe he glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and seals them as adopted heirs in the family of God. He also dwells in, permeates, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
                       

JESUS CHRIST: Jesus was not a created being, but has always existed in eternal glory along with God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit as a full and equal member of the Trinity (Gen 1:26, Jn. 1:1-3; Jn. 8:48-59; Col. 1:15-20). It is in the finished work and person of Jesus Christ alone that one can be forgiven of their sins past, present, and future. (Jn. 14:6; Acts 4:12). Our Lord Jesus rose from the dead in the same body that was laid to rest in the tomb (Jn. 20:25-27). The bodies of all believers who die will be raised from the dead, and they will receive an incorruptible body like unto His glorious body (1 Cor. 15:53; Phil. 3:21). All other men shall be raised unto “the resurrection of judgment” (Jn. 5:28, 29).
                       

BELIEVERS: Christians, born of the Spirit, are to live the new life in the present power of the Spirit. “If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk” (Gal. 5:16-25; Col. 2:6). The Christian’s responsibility and his normal attitude of life is to yield himself to God (Rom. 6:13), trusting God to keep him. Christian “living” includes Christian service, partnering with God in the winning of souls around us, and the preaching of the Gospel in the uttermost parts of the earth. In carrying on this work there is needed the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit which is granted to every believer as he yields and trusts (Acts 1:8; I Cor. 12:7; Eph. 3:20; Acts 5:32). And in all of this service, prayer is to have the central place (Jn. 14:12-14; Eph. 6:18, 19).

THE CHURCH: We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer. (1 Cor. 14:26; Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 1:17-20; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
 
                     
ETERNITY: Jesus Christ will come again to earth the second time (Heb. 9:28), personally (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16), bodily (Acts 1:11; Col. 2:9), and visibly (Matt. 26:64; Rev. 1:7). He will judge both the living and the dead, rewarding eternally those found in Him and eternally condemning those who rejected Him.

Leadership

D. Grant Parker

President and CEO

Grant is a seasoned global ministry leader with over two decades of experience in church planting, humanitarian aid, and strategic missional leadership. He has served in key leadership roles across several prominent organizations, including Frontiers, Millennium Relief and Development Services (MRDS), Partner Aid International (now World Relief), Shelter for Life International, and Samaritan’s Purse, where he developed and oversaw ministry strategies for more than 75,000 church partners across 14 regions. In that role, he also led Samaritan’s Purse’s global Unreached People Group initiative, spearheading efforts to take the gospel to some of the hardest-to-reach places on earth.

Grant is a visionary leader passionate about closing the largest missional gap of our time in the 10/40 Window and addressing what missiologists call “the Great Imbalance”—the disproportionate distribution of mission resources away from the areas of greatest need. He thrives on building toward rapid, strategic implementation that mobilizes the Church to advance the gospel where Christ is least known.

Drawing deeply from their own experiences navigating both personal and global crises while serving overseas and in the U.S., Grant and his wife Megan Parker founded what is now Hope Over Crisis in 2020. Their work seeks to equip and empower the local church to lead in times of crisis and bring gospel transformation to vulnerable communities.

Grant holds a B.A. in Political Science from East Tennessee State University and a M.A. in Intercultural Studies and Bible from Columbia International University. He and Megan live in South Carolina with their five children and are active members of Doxa Church in Myrtle Beach, part of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

Megan Parker

Secretary of the Board

Since 2004, Megan has served alongside her husband, Grant, in various supportive roles, including leading teams in challenging foreign contexts and working as an administrator for multiple churches. Early in her college years, Megan felt called by the Lord to full-time motherhood and homemaking to better support her family and their global ministry. After living and serving in South Asia for over five years, Megan and Grant returned to the United States, navigating five state and four international transitions to share the gospel and bring hope amidst crises. A devoted wife and mother of five, Megan has homeschooled their children since 2013 and has been a trusted sounding board to women in leadership, using her gifts to help others discover how God made them for their joy and His glory.

Dale Miller

Member of the Board of Directors

Dale graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2002 with a Doctorate in Pharmacy.  He began his pharmacy career in the hospital where he was born. Dale continued to practice pharmacy in addition to helping plant Doxa Church in 2013.  In 2021 Dale left his career in pharmacy to pursue ministry full-time by enrolling at Grimke’ Seminary.  He received a Master’s in Theology Studies from Grimke’ in 2023.  Dale serves on staff at Doxa Church as Pastor of Mission and Congregational Care. Dale has a heart to see church leaders equipped and encouraged to bring about the kingdom of God in their circles of influence.

Charles R. Jones

Chairman of the Board

Rev. Jones holds a law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law and a divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He served in the Army as an enlisted soldier, later returning as a JAG officer after law school. Following his military service, he practiced law with two civilian firms. Rev. Jones has served churches in southern New Jersey in various roles, including Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor, interim pastor, and youth pastor. He also worked for New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) for 25 years, starting as a caseworker and retiring in 2022 from DCF’s legal department. Having lived in eleven states and traveled extensively, particularly to the Far East and the Holy Land, Rev. Jones now resides in Myrtle Beach, SC, with his wife, Irene, and their dog and three cats, continuing to serve God in retirement.

Dr. Nate Evans, M.D.

Member of the Board of Directors

Nate, a proud Hoosier from Indiana, attended Duke University for his undergraduate studies, where he met his wife, Rebecca. After returning to Indiana to complete medical school and his orthopedic surgery residency, Nate and Rebecca moved to Myrtle Beach in 2016 to be closer to her family. They have been actively involved with Doxa Church since their arrival. Nate and Rebecca have two energetic boys, Elijah and Sammy, who certainly keep things lively. Nate has a heart for international missions, having traveled to Tanzania and Kenya four times for trips ranging from 6 weeks to 6 months, where he has worked with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) to help train African surgeons.

Matt Depp

Member of the Board of Directors

Matt graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Public and Interpersonal Communication and later earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Jenny, spent over ten years overseas as Christian workers, where they helped start and run an English language training center. After returning to the U.S., they moved to Boone, North Carolina, where Matt worked with Samaritan’s Purse, overseeing operations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They became involved in Perkinsville Baptist Church, where Matt later and continues to serve as Associate Pastor. Matt and Jenny have five children: three biological and two adopted.

Jenny Depp

Member of the Board of Directors

Jenny graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Public and Interpersonal Communication. She has a heart for evangelism and discipling other women which was evident during her 10 years living overseas and where she currently lives in Boone, North Carolina. She is active at Perkinsville Baptist Church where her husband, Matt, is Associate Pastor. In addition to meeting with and discipling women, she manages vacation rental properties, works as a nutrition coach, and helped to start a homeschool co-op. She and Matt have 5 children: 3 biological and 2 adopted.

John Teilhet

Member of the Board of Directors

John has been a Physician Assistant specializing in orthopedic trauma since 2010, helping patients recover from life-changing injuries caused by falls, motor vehicle crashes, and gunshot wounds. He attributes his career longevity to the healthy working environment and supportive relationships he has built with his surgeons and colleagues. At home, John is supported by his wife of nearly 20 years, Bethany, and their three children. The couple met while serving at a Christian adventure camp in Northeast Tennessee, where they remain involved, recently encouraging their oldest child to serve as summer staff in the same role they held in the early 2000s. John and Bethany are active members of Grace Fellowship Church, where they serve as New Family Hosts and find encouragement in their community group.

Bethany Teilhet

Member of the Board of Directors

Bethany is a Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in internal medicine, bringing a deep passion for patient care to the Hope Over Crisis team. Her natural ability to empathize with others has been a lifelong gift, and no one has been more blessed by it than her husband, John, and their three children. Bethany is guided in her life by prayer and obedience to Christ, always seeking to serve others with compassion and care.

Doug Beason

Member of the Board of Directors

Doug is a former business owner and missionary with a unique passion for sharing the Gospel with those who have never heard, paired with an entrepreneurial mindset. He has been married to his wife, Tara, for over 30 years, and they have two children, Austen and Emma. Doug currently serves as the Senior Director of Global Field Operations at Global Christian Relief (GCR). Prior to his role at GCR Doug was the West Africa Regional Director for Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC, where he oversaw over 400 volunteers across nine countries. Before joining Samaritan’s Purse, Doug lived in Mali as a missionary with the International Mission Board, where he focused on evangelism among an unreached people group.

Cory Gulson

Member of the Board of directors

Cory has been a business owner of two dog daycare and boarding facilities since 2006, where he leads his team by showing Christ’s love through life’s challenges. In addition to his business, Cory serves on the Children’s Advocacy Board of Directors for the 1st Judicial District in Washington County, TN, and has been involved in Young Life Ministry, where he met his wife, KJ, in the early 2000s. Together, they have two daughters and are active members of Grace Fellowship in Johnson City, where they enjoy spending time outdoors as a family.

K.J. Gulson

Member of the Board of Directors

KJ Gulson serves as Vice President of Value Based Performance and Care Management for Ballad Health. In this role, she is responsible for developing the strategy and leading the infrastructure required to improve quality outcomes and maximize results of their programs. In addition, she serves on the board for Project Access. Gulson graduated from East Tennessee State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in public health with a concentration in healthcare administration. She earned a master’s degree in business administration from Milligan College. KJ and her husband Cory met 20 years ago while serving at a Young Life camp in Minnesota and they have been blessed with 2 daughters, Avery and Aubrey, that keep them on their toes!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 10/40 Window?

The 10/40 Window refers to a geographical region between 10 and 40 degrees north latitude, stretching from North Africa across the Middle East and Asia. This area is extremely significant in terms of missions for the following:

1. High Population: It includes over 5 billion people, about two-thirds of the world’s population.  
2. Gospel Poverty: The 10/40 Window is home to the largest number of unreached people groups (7,300), meaning many have little to no access to the gospel or Christian resources. 3.2 Billion are numbered among the “unreached”.
3. Religious Diversity: Major world religions like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and animism are predominant in this area.  
4. Socioeconomic Challenges: Many countries within this region have the highest amounts of and face severe poverty, limited education, and health care, exacerbating their challenges.  
5. Persecution: Christians in this area often experience intense persecution for their faith. It is estimated that roughly 13 Christians are killed a day in this region for their faith.  
6. Financial Neglect: “According to estimates, in 2021…only 1% went to missions that served unreached peoples. This means that for every hundred grand that Christians earn, only about a dollar goes to serving the unreached. (source: https://radical.net/video/why-millions-are-still-unreached-by-the-gospel/)

What is an Unreached People Group (UPG)?

The Joshua Project defines an Unreached People Group as the following: “Less than or equal to 5% Christian Adherent AND less than or equal to 2% Evangelical. An unreached or least-reached people is a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without outside assistance.” (source: https://joshuaproject.net/help/definitions)

Can Churches exist among Unreached Peoples?
As you may have seen, because a people group may be considered “Unreached” this doesn’t mean there is not a church near or among them. What it means is that throughout the 10/40 Window churches that exists in these regions are often isolated, persecuted, and lack sufficient rapport and resources to advance the gospel among the unreached community in which they live.
What is the Persecuted Church?

“Research for Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List reveals that over 365 million Christians around the world suffer persecution or discrimination for their faith in Jesus Christ. That means they experience some kind of hostility as a result of proclaiming the name of Jesus or living out their faith.
 
The Pew Research Center has found that Christians are harassed in more places than any other religious group. And Open Doors’ research has shown that the number of countries where Christians suffer high and extreme levels of persecution has almost doubled in the last 30 years.”

Open Doors defines Christian persecution as “any hostility experienced as a result of proclaiming the name of Jesus.” That hostility can look different for each of the millions of believers who face persecution every day. Some experience rejection and isolation from their families, friends and communities. Others are denied access to basic needs like water, food and health care. Some face violent abuse, imprisonment and even death.” 

(source)

Why Crisis Response?

We often say, “Crisis demands a response.” Crises are heartbreaking and devastating for those who experience them, but they also create unique opportunities. In times of crisis, people are often more open to receiving help and may begin to question God or His goodness. While this questioning can be challenging, it is not a bad thing. Crises provide opportunities for God’s people—the church in Jesus Christ—to share His boundless love and truth. God frequently uses crises to draw people closer to Him, demonstrating His immeasurable mercy. Through this, forgiveness and freedom can emerge from devastation, powerfully revealing His goodness, love, and majesty. 

How can my Church get involved?
Your church can get involved in multiple ways. After prayer we can have a “discovery” call with them so they can learn about partnership opportunities with our church networks living under persecution, becoming a financial partner with Hope Over Crisis at large, engaging in our volunteer opportunities, packing Hope Bags, and/or in participating in our stateside trainings where we equip churches here to lead in crisis response. PLEASE contact us to learn more.
Do you ever engage in Crisis Response in the U.S.?
Our primary focus is serving regions facing gospel poverty and spiritual persecution, internationally. However, we also support U.S. churches and communities in times of crisis when needs are severe, resources are available, and when we can add meaningful value. By partnering with churches both in the U.S. and in regions of hostility, we aim to empower churches everywhere to remain beacons of hope where the need is greatest.

About 

Hope Over Crisis, Inc. is an evangelical, international relief and development organization with 501(c)3 tax-exempt status that partners with churches in hostile and vulnerable regions to deliver both immediate and lasting hope to communities facing crises.

Hope Over Crisis, Inc.
3761 Renee Drive, Unit 22A, #305
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
843. 212. 6570

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