UNITED STATES Team
John was the visionary founder of Trinity HOPE, initiating the ministry in 1999. While visiting Haiti on a mission trip, he witnessed one school where the children were disengaged in the learning process and very lethargic. He was told the problem was hunger. Those kids were coming from homes where the parents were not able to feed them. John committed to begin a feeding program at that one school of 42 children in 1999. Through God’s abundant blessings, John and his friends kept raising money and kept feeding more and more schools. As John would say many years later, “God told me to start feeding those kids, and he has just never told me to stop.” Under John’s leadership, Trinity HOPE served more than 26,000,000 meals throughout Haiti prior to his death in November, 2016.
“Ain’t God good!” was one of John’s favorite phrases, and he was known to use it often when talking about the work God accomplished through Trinity HOPE. John was a unique man of God, with a tremendous faith that always pointed others to Christ. Prior to starting Trinity HOPE he was an executive and entrepreneur in the food brokerage business. John and his lovely wife, Carol, were married over 50 years and have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. As the words in Matthew 25 state, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Keith has worked extensively with the ministry since 2006. For the vast majority of his first ten years, he worked as a volunteer, under the leadership and mentorship of John Hall. In 2016, after selling the business, God opened the door for Keith to transition his career to where he could join the ministry as a full-time employee. Keith and Beth have been happily married since 1987, and they have two wonderful daughters (Kyra and Brenna). He has a heart to use the gifts God has given him to serve others and share the love of Christ. Over the years, Keith has taught junior-high Sunday School, led and participated in men’s Bible studies, been a church elder, and been involved in personal mentorship relationships.
“I love the Haitian children. They are absolutely beautiful, and are the future of Haiti,” says Keith. “By going to the schools we feed, and hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these children are the true missionaries of Haiti. God is using them to reach their parents, their aunts and uncles, and their brothers and sisters. It is such a blessing to be able to give them life-sustaining food every school day, enabling them to learn better and fulfill the plans God has in store for them.”
Candi joined the Trinity HOPE team as the Operations Manager for our U.S. operations in June 2021. Her primary focus is to engage and inform our valued donors.
Candi and her husband, Rob, have a blended family of 5 grown children. Spanning ages 22-29, the 5 children are finishing college, beginning marriages, and exploring new careers. With 25 of experience as an advocate for children, Candi has made a lasting impact in public schools and children’s ministries. Her extensive background includes serving as a Sunday School teacher, school teacher, mentor to fellow educators, school administrator, and state supervisor, benefiting thousands of children in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Her lifelong dream has been to travel in missions and share God’s word in a tangible way as to greatly impact the lives of others. Having the opportunity to do this important work and continue to work with children is truly a dream come true. A true child advocate, Candi is excited to share her passions with the children we serve in Haiti.
Denise is our Information Technology Manager on the U.S. side of our work, keeping our information secured and available utilizing the many varied skills God has given her to help the children in Haiti. She and her husband Mark have three grown children and two grandchildren. Her passion for children is deep, as evidenced through her years of service to the youth at church or seeing her playing with the children in Haiti. Denise has worked for Trinity HOPE since 2012 and has made annual mission trips to Haiti to see the program in action.
“Seeing the joy on these children’s perfect faces is what keeps me going,” says Denise. “They live in an environment where Satan is visibly active but they know God protects them. They see God’s love each day they receive a hot lunch at school. I have promised to share their story with everyone as long as there are hungry children in Haiti.”
When Gin retired from teaching for Metro Nashville Public Schools, she worked at her alma mater, Vanderbilt University for a couple of years before moving to Qingdao, China, to be an educational missionary with her husband, Steve. She enjoys traveling with Steve, their children, and their GRANDS. Every day is an adventure for the Perkins' family; they enjoy spending time together in the world God created for them. Philippians 4:6-8 are her favorite verses and have guided her to not be anxious during times of struggle. She's enjoyed working for Trinity HOPE since 2018 because working with Christian friends is so fulfilling. She communicates regularly with our Haitian friends and coordinates the school correspondence between Haiti and our donors.
HAITI TEAM
All our programs in Haiti are run by local Haitians. We have 35 dedicated Feeding Program Directors that are responsible for overseeing the feeding programs in their districts. They are very Godly men that are Christian leaders within their church, community and families. They take pride in their work and love the children they serve.
Our Board of Directors
Trinity HOPE is blessed to have a strong, dedicated board of directors that serve on a volunteer basis. Although their individual gifts and talents range from pastors, to business professionals, to retirees with great wisdom, the single trait they all share is a strong faith in Christ and a desire to bring God the glory for all He accomplishes through the ministry of Trinity HOPE. Our current board members include:
Our Ambassador Board of Directors
Kim Beihl - TN
Jay Brinkmeyer - IL
Rev. Keith Enko - TN, FL
Sandy Fuehrmeyer - IL
Mark Gudlin - TN
Stan Hahn - TN
Carol Hall - TN
Dan Hessee - TN
Ruth Nolte - TN
Pat Paavola - TN
Rev. James Rockey - FL
Diane Weber - MO
Brian Wiese - TN
Dave Worman - IL
Jimmie Young - TN
Our Haiti Board of Advisors
Markel Marcelin (Bainet)
Jean Philippe Paul (Artibonite)
Jean Meseve William (Leogane)
Pastor Walta Clercius (Pastor Advisor in Haiti)
Joseph Desrameaux (PAP)
Willy Dieudone (Supervisor)