Our Story

The vision for Chasing Hope International was planted in Merritt's heart when she was just a 7th grader sitting in Geography class. While watching a video about some of the poorest countries in the world, in that moment she felt the Holy Spirit speaking clearly to her heart: “You will bring hope to these people.” That calling never left her. Years later—after several mission trips, both short and long term—she stepped out in faith in 2020 to pursue that calling more fully. That was the beginning of Chasing Hope International. What started with a moment in a classroom became a movement to meet needs, make disciples, and bring lasting hope to communities in Colombia.

​

Then Merritt met Yeicol. From the beginning, it was clear that they shared the same passion for missions, for people, and for the Gospel. It didn’t take long for them to realize that this wasn’t just Merritt's calling—it was Merritt and Yeicol's. Chasing Hope International became a ministry they would build and lead together, united in their desire to meet both physical and spiritual needs in some of the most overlooked places in Colombia.

​

The name Chasing Hope was born from the vision of inviting others into an ongoing pursuit—not just of help or healing, but of Jesus Himself. He is our eternal Hope, and everything we do points back to Him. Today, we serve in Colombia through youth ministry, clean water projects, child sponsorship, discipleship, and more. And this is just the beginning. We believe God is writing a much bigger story—one of transformation, restoration, and hope that never ends.