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.’” They realized billions of people had never heard the name of Jesus, let alone the gospel, and God used this truth to ignite their mission.
The Parkers saw the church in the places they worked often persecuted and ostracized. 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.
