We believe in ending poverty by equipping people with empowering tools and opportunities to transform and disciple their communities.
While some organizations focus on one aspect of need in an impoverished community, we equip leaders and organizations with a multifaceted approach that strengthens the whole person. Because poverty is complex, our solutions must be as well.
Since 2009, we have pioneered a bold new way to end poverty.
What started as direct community work in Philippi, South Africa has evolved into a movement equipping African leaders and organizations with proven curricula, training, and mentorship. We create life-changing programs. Our partners multiply the impact across their communities.
Why it works:
Lasting change doesn’t come through charity—it comes through empowerment.When local leaders are equipped to own their solutions, transformation is sustainable, culturally relevant, and exponentially more impactful.
45%
of the Sub-Saharan Africa population live below poverty line
431 MIL
Africans living in extreme poverty on less than $1.90 per day
85%
of pastors and church leaders have not completed biblical training
The strength of our work lies in our multi-cultural staff, leadership, and directional teams. As diverse as we are, we share a deep passion to lead community transformation from the inside out.
Jeremy Hilliard
Africa Regional Director
Jeremy Hilliard
Africa Regional DirectorBiography
It was on his first trip to several Southern African countries in 1997 where Jeremy saw firsthand the grasp of extreme poverty on people’s lives, and felt the personal call to do something about it. Since that time, Jeremy has gained extensive experience in intercultural communications and development, and has worked in areas of community development and church planting in nearly a dozen countries throughout Africa and Asia. Along with ministry experience in the US and Australia, he has worked and led businesses in both the nonprofit and business sectors. Jeremy is passionate about people reaching their full potential and bringing hope to their lives and communities. Jeremy graduated from Crown College with a Bachelor’s in Christian Ministry.
Jandrè van der Walt
Project Manager
Jandrè van der Walt
Project ManagerBiography
Jandrè van der Walt is a mission driven leader with 12+ years of ministry experience with proven ability to manage programs, lead teams, and oversee operational systems that support spiritual formation and community impact.
He holds a Bachelors of Theology from South African Theological Seminary and is originally from South Africa. He carries a deep passion for seeing lives transformed through the presence of God. He is committed to serving the local Church and missions across Africa, with a heart to see faith expressed through action, service, and love.
Terry Hilliard
Executive Director
Terry Hilliard
Executive DirectorBiography
A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science Degree, he worked for ten years in hospital networks and has start-up business experience from establishing four independent companies over the span of 20 years. He is also an ordained minister with over 15 years of experience in the local church. Terry and his wife Jeanenne left their lives in Florida in 2004 to bring global impact through international missions. This change led to extensive global experience, working in various settings throughout over 12 countries within Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central America with community development and church planting. During his time, he was stirred by both the struggles and potential solutions of the extreme poor in the developing world. Terry is committed to developing holistic, sustainable Christ-centered solutions to meet the needs of impoverished communities in the developing world.
Mboniswa Lucas Mpendulo
Spiritual Formation Coordinator
Mboniswa Lucas Mpendulo
Spiritual Formation CoordinatorBiography
Mboniswa Lucas is a born-again, Bible-believing Christian. He is the founder and senior pastor of Community Church International and is actively involved in the life of the church. A graduate from the University of Pretoria, he holds a Master’s degree in Practical Theology. He joined Hope Africa Collective in September 2017 as a community liaising pastor. He was appointed as the Coordinator of Spiritual Formation department in November 2018. He has a passion for pastoral care and he desires to minister the Word of God authentically and inspire others to serve Christ. He is married to Yolisa and they have been blessed with three daughters.
Jody Armbruster
Communications & Donor Relations Manager
Jody Armbruster
Communications & Donor Relations ManagerBiography
Jody is a 2023 graduate from the University of Oklahoma who recently relocated to the Sunshine State after college. Through Mosaic Church she discovered Hope Africa and quickly felt a connection with their vision.
With a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication Jody has explored different opportunities, including public affairs and digital media internships at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and WedSociety.
As a newcomer to the world of communication, she cannot wait to bring some fresh ideas to the table and continue her learning journey with Hope Africa Collective.
Cyndi Staudt
Content Strategist
Cyndi Staudt
Content StrategistBiography
Early in her walk with Jesus, Cyndi developed a passion for people and a heart for helping others find and foster a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Savior. Serving many years in global and local outreach, she shares God’s desire to reach and care for the “least of these” in personal and practical ways.
Cyndi is passionate about using her gift of storytelling to highlight how God weaves His Word, His ways and His wisdom into the fabric of our lives. She is excited to be a part of the Hope Africa Collective team and is eager to share the stories of how God is working in and through this organization to serve South African people and communities Through her writing, she hopes to ignite your desire to read God’s Word, invite your heart to experience God’s love, and inspire you to participate in the Kingdom work God is doing in the world.
Trevor Anderson
Trevor Anderson
Biography
Trevor has championed ESG principles, community engagement, and safety-first cultures while overseeing multimillion-dollar portfolios and major engineering, procurement, and construction initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Engineering) with Honors, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and is passionate about applying his global business experience to purpose-driven impact. Trevor is an operations executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading large-scale projects from concept through execution across Africa, Europe, and the United States.
As a Board Director of Hope Africa Collective, Trevor contributes strategic insight, governance leadership, and a heart for empowering communities through sustainable development.
Mike Etchison
Mike Etchison
Biography
Michael develops various real estate investments throughout the world and his knowledge in economics and investment opportunities give Michael an edge in a variety of worldwide projects. A graduate from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1969, he owned and managed a manufacturing company in Indiana for 20 years while also developing commercial properties. Michael has served on the boards of United Way and Salvation Army, and has served as Board Chairman of Great Commission Ministries for 17 years. Michael co-pastored two churches, was the chairman of the Muncie, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves as development manager for Grandstaff Development. Mike is married and has 7 children and 5 grandchildren.
Terry Hilliard
Terry Hilliard
Biography
A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science Degree, he worked for ten years in hospital networks and has start-up business experience from establishing four independent companies over the span of 20 years. He is also an ordained minister with over 15 years of experience in the local church. Terry and his wife Jeanenne left their lives in Florida in 2004 to bring global impact through international missions. This change led to extensive global experience, working in various settings throughout over 12 countries within Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central America with community development and church planting. During his time, he was stirred by both the struggles and potential solutions of the extreme poor in the developing world. Terry is committed to developing holistic, sustainable Christ-centered solutions to meet the needs of impoverished communities in the developing world.
Anthony Gibb
Anthony Gibb
Biography
Anthony is a dynamic leader with a passion for transformation and empowering people to make choices for the upliftment of society. With over 25 years of financial leadership and business development, including 15 years of experience in NPO development and governance. He is a qualified CPA and Chartered Accountant experienced in board governance, organizational structuring and the implementation of strategies.
Anthony has a passion for changing lives through Education and Spiritual Formation. Anthony is married and has three children and is always looking for an opportunity to partner with heaven.
Bill Bennot
Bill Bennot
Biography
Bill began full-time Christian ministry in 1981 and holds a master’s degree in organizational
leadership and a Doctorate in strategic leadership.
Along with his wife, Connie, pioneered and led campus churches in California, Arizona and New Mexico. In May of 1987, Bill and Connie moved to Johannesburg, South Africa and ultimately became citizens. They pioneered the His People Christian Church which became an apostolic hub for church planting in Africa. Bill has worked with leaders and teams to plant churches and campus ministries in every major city in South Africa. He also served leaders and churches in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast.
Bill is the author of several books, including Unstoppable Kingdom, which is a blueprint for advancing an apostolic leadership culture for effective transformation. Bill and Connie have three sons and a daughter and three grandchildren.
Jeremy Hilliard
Jeremy Hilliard
Biography
It was on his first trip to several Southern African countries in 1997 where Jeremy saw firsthand the grasp of extreme poverty on people’s lives, and felt the personal call to do something about it. Since that time, Jeremy has gained extensive experience in intercultural communications and development, and has worked in areas of community development and church planting in nearly a dozen countries throughout Africa and Asia. Along with ministry experience in the US and Australia, he has worked and led businesses in both the nonprofit and business sectors. Jeremy is passionate about people reaching their full potential and bringing hope to their lives and communities. Jeremy graduated from Crown College with a Bachelor’s in Christian Ministry.
Terry Hilliard
Founder / Executive Director
Terry Hilliard
Founder / Executive DirectorBiography
A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science Degree, he worked for ten years in hospital networks and has start-up business experience from establishing four independent companies over the span of 20 years. He is also an ordained minister with over 15 years of experience in the local church. Terry and his wife Jeanenne left their lives in Florida in 2004 to bring global impact through international missions. This change led to extensive global experience, working in various settings throughout over 12 countries within Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central America with community development and church planting. During his time, he was stirred by both the struggles and potential solutions of the extreme poor in the developing world. Terry is committed to developing holistic, sustainable Christ-centered solutions to meet the needs of impoverished communities in the developing world.
Jeanenne Hilliard
Founder
Jeanenne Hilliard
FounderBiography
It was through early stories of missionaries in the developing world that Jeanenne first started to feel the calling to engage with the poorest of the poor. Jeanenne is a registered nurse, serving in the medical profession for over 6 years, and worked in elementary and high school education for 20 years. Along with her husband, she has led teams to a number of countries focusing on community development, church planting, primary healthcare, and work with vulnerable youth. She has worked alongside NGOs in India, Thailand, Uganda, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, South Africa, and Zambia. Jeanenne is passionate about caring for the poor, especially young adults, holistically on both physical and Christ-centered levels.
Bridget Hilliard
Founder
Bridget Hilliard
FounderBiography
In 1999 Bridget spent two months with poverty-stricken communities in South America, and saw the immense possibilities within people to overcome extreme poverty. She then spent over 10 years in international aid work and ministry, and has worked in areas of community development, church planting, vulnerable children, as well as music and the arts. She has served poor communities with various NGOs throughout South America, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Over the years, she has launched small businesses, Christian ministries, and churches. Bridget is passionate about community development and reaching out to the whole family unit with effective and compassionate Christ-centered initiatives.
Jeremy Hilliard
Founder / Africa Regional Director
Jeremy Hilliard
Founder / Africa Regional DirectorBiography
It was on his first trip to several Southern African countries in 1997 where Jeremy saw firsthand the grasp of extreme poverty on people’s lives, and felt the personal call to do something about it. Since that time, Jeremy has gained extensive experience in intercultural communications and development, and has worked in areas of community development and church planting in nearly a dozen countries throughout Africa and Asia. Along with ministry experience in the US and Australia, he has worked and led businesses in both the nonprofit and business sectors. Jeremy is passionate about people reaching their full potential and bringing hope to their lives and communities. Jeremy graduated from Crown College with a Bachelor’s in Christian Ministry.