OUR STORY

Where We Started

The Hope Initiative (THI) was founded in December 2021 by Pastor Stephen Boyken after an EF-4 tornado devastated the small town of Mayfield, Kentucky.

Pastor Stephen recalls, “ I remember sitting in a room, surrounded by my church board, as the question was asked, “are you in this for the long haul?” We were only a few days after the tornado had hit our community. Our auditorium had been turned into a warehouse, our kids center had become a dormitory for volunteers, and our front lobby and parking lot a distribution center. The county coroner, and state police were staged out of our church offices as media poured onto our campus.

People were missing, power was still out throughout most of the county, and this was the question posed by two national leaders who led disaster relief ministries. Without hesitation I knew the answer that was in my heart, but one by one, I asked my board to answer first. 6 men said yes, and I was the 7th. That was the day The Hope Initiative was formed as I was given permission to pursue.”

Led by a deep commitment to faith and driven by compassion The Hope Initiative has remained committed to sharing the gospel as we help the hurting. Having now completed 54 homes in Mayfield Kentucky, THI has grown to provide Coaching, Collaboration and Construction for communities involved in Long Term Recovery after disaster.

WHERE WE’VE BEEN

Coach Those Impacted by Disasters.

Collaborate with Those Engaged in Relief.

Construct New Homes.

Coach Those Impacted by Disasters. Collaborate with Those Engaged in Relief. Construct New Homes.

  • Coach Those Impacted by Disasters.

    Empowering individuals, organizations, and communities with the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to rebuild and recover after disaster. We share our experience to help them establish effective long-term recovery strategies, ensuring sustainable progress for years to come. 

    Foundations of Hope, Disaster Readiness Response Plan, Community Assessment, LTRT Development

  • Collaborate With Those Engaged in Relief.

    Recovery begins local and ends local. By working hand-in-hand with local churches, and organizations, we strive to build partnerships that last beyond the immediate response to a disaster. We also link national agencies and combine resources and relationships to support recovery creating stronger, more resilient communities.

    Partnerships with Orgs that provide Distribution, Clean-up, Debris Removal, Repairs, & Volunteers.

  • Construct New Homes.

    The culmination of our mission results when funding becomes available and we are able to support a community in their long term recovery by building homes. We prioritize a holistic approach that offers families hope, and stability through our “Build Hope” program. We transform lives by providing high-quality, affordable housing along with the emotional, spiritual, and economic support found in our Foundations of Hope Course.

    Affordable Housing Solutions include traditional stickframe built homes as well as our innovation IronCLAD modular series.

    We have completed 54 homes to date, and are developing solutions to build homes that are Cost Effective, Livable, Attractive, and Durable.