"We are very impressed by the quality and depth of the Hope Force training. The Nashville Hope Force Basic Training Intensive was well organized – they emailed us all the details ahead of time, so we felt very well prepared. And when we got there, we were welcomed with open arms by some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met. We felt very comfortable and valued right from the start.

"At first we expected to learn how to set up tents or work in food lines or rescue people from rubble… as Jack and Cherie like to call it, “Chainsaw 101”. But we were very impressed that the whole three days of training centered on our spiritual well-being and our relationship and identity in Christ. We were so challenged and encouraged by each of the speakers as well as inspired by their stories.

"We learned so much and are excited to apply these lessons not only in a crisis, but also in our everyday lives. (Don’t worry, there aren’t any tests during the seminar.) And you don’t have to be in the medical field to help! I (Jess) was only one of three nurses in our group of 23. It is so awesome to see how God uses anyone who is available. We met some amazing people with a heart and passion to serve God and it’s such a privilege to be part of this team with them!

"We were also very impressed at the hospitality shown. The meals and snacks were delicious and we were never hungry or thirsty. We left the training with such an excitement to be part of Hope Force! While we pray that there won’t be any more disasters, we feel equipped and ready to serve with Hope Force if the time comes. We can’t say enough good things about this organization and about the training… we recommend it to anyone and everyone.

"We’re from Huntington Beach, California and we flew all the way to Nashville to attend Hope Force training… and it was worth every penny. We love Hope Force!"
- Jessica and Davey Anderson, Huntington Beach, California

"I came to the Hope Force Training because I saw it as an opportunity to minister to those in need on an international scale. Even now I want to learn more. I want to explore The Salvation Army training and learn the hands-on portion of disaster relief. Also, as I prepare for

my RN-licensure exam I hope that my nursing training and what I have received from Hope Force will equip me for launching. We (my husband and I) know that we are called to missions. We have spent the last 19 years discipling our children. Though we have three who are still at home, I believe that the time for being launched is at hand.

"I learned that I have value as an individual. Everyone deserves honor because God has placed value upon them. In order to care for people in any capacity I must be whole – not perfect, but whole. I now know that during loss there is a sequence of phases that we go through and that there are things that I can do to assist people as they journey through each phase.

"The Hope Force training was amazing. Little did I know that I would be so changed as a result. I feel washed, clean, and encouraged. The Mintons and their staff are genuine people. They live what they preach – you could feel it. After listening to their experiences and how they responded, it was obvious that we were with the right group. This feels like home."

- Serena Johnson, St. Louis, Missouri

"I have had the wonderful privilege of working as a public health nurse for 24 years. I have been blessed beyond measure by the Lord. I have been praying for some time now for God to show me what He wants me to do, as I look at retirement in the near future. I have had lots of emergency preparedness training through my job and was deployed to work when Katrina came on shore in Biloxi, Mississippi. I came to Hope Force by way of much prayer and I firmly believe God placed me here as this is part of His plan for me and my life.