About Us
Yeicol and Merritt are a husband-and-wife team with a heart for missions and a deep desire to see lives transformed by the hope of Jesus Christ. What started as taking small steps of bold obedience by the Holy Spirit's prompting, has has grown into a ministry that reaches children, youth, and families with tangible support and the truth of the Gospel. We believe in building relationships, serving with compassion, and empowering others to know and share the hope of Jesus Christ. It’s our joy and honor to walk this journey together, trusting God to lead every step.
Our Team
Merritt Johnson
Founder & Director
Merritt is the founder and director of Chasing Hope International, a Christ-centered ministry serving vulnerable communities in Colombia. Called to missions at a young age, Merritt has a deep passion for meeting both physical and spiritual needs and pointing others to the eternal hope of Jesus. With years of experience in ministry and international missions, she now leads Chasing Hope alongside her husband, Yeicol, focusing on youth discipleship, clean water access, child sponsorship, and biblical training. Merritt is committed to building relationships, equipping leaders, and helping others discover the hope that transforms lives.
Yeicol Julio
New Life Representative
Yeicol serves as the New Life International representative for Chasing Hope International. As a Colombian himself, Yeicol has a deep, personal passion for serving the people of his country—especially those in vulnerable and overlooked communities. He leads the installation of New Life water purifier systems in areas where safe drinking water is hard to access or nonexistent, working to meet a vital physical need while also sharing the Living Water—Jesus Christ. His love for his country, combined with his heart for the Gospel, drives everything he does. Through his leadership, communities receive more than clean water—they receive a message of eternal hope.