John and Emily Darnell
John and Emily joined the home office after having served in Babahoyo and Calacalí, Ecuador, from 2012-2016.
John is the VP of Operations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish (’09) and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (’11) from the University of Mississippi. Also, John received a Certification in Ontological Coaching in 2015.
Emily serves as Director of the Internship Program and is also serving as the Director of Missionary Kids. She graduated from Hope College in 2005 with a degree in English/Language Arts and from National Louis University in 2009 with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. Emily taught third grade for four years in Aglonquin, Illinois. John and Emily met in 2008 in Jackson, WY, on a white water rafting trip where Emily was a client and John was working as the chef. They married in 2009 and taught for two years in North Panola County School District in Northern Mississippi before moving abroad on January 1, 2012.
After language school in Costa Rica, they spent one year in Babahoyo, Ecuador, ministering to families and training pastors. Then, they served in Calacalí, Ecuador, for three years at Hacienda El Refugio, a training and retreat center that facilitates a deeper relationships with Jesus Christ through nature and outdoor adventure. John was the Director of Ministry Programs, and Emily worked with interns.