Frank Kim, HOPE worldwide’s chairman of the board, presented Bob and Pat Gempel with the Spirit of HOPE award for their indomitable spirit and passionate hearts which infuse everything that takes place at HOPE worldwide. The Gempels officially "rewired" to become HOPEww volunteers and the board appointed Randy Jordan as the new CEO.

Founders Bob and Pat Gempel were honored during HOPE worldwide’s recent Global Summit, an annual forum for partner organizations, volunteers, directors and HOPE worldwide leaders to meet, share ideas, and hear about programs that bring hope and change for the poor and needy around the world. The Gempels founded HOPE worldwide in 1991 in partnership with the International Churches of Christ. Under their leadership, HOPE worldwide has grown from three programs in the Ivory Coast, Mexico and the United States to serving more than 1 million of the world's most poor, sick, and suffering each year in over 60 countries.

During the Gempels’ tenure in office, HOPE worldwide’s wide-ranging accomplishments have included:

• Community-based HIV/AIDS care, support, and prevention programs in Africa
• Housing and rehabilitation for leprosy patients at the “Village of HOPE” in India
• After-school and Saturday programs for at-risk youth in the U.S.
• HOPE for Kids immunization outreach to America’s inner cities
• HOPE for Children adoption agency in the U.S.
• Orphanages in India, Indonesia, and Romania
• Medical clinics in Mexico, Jamaica, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines
• Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, a free, quality-care teaching hospital in Cambodia
• Senior centers in Moscow, Berlin, and Vilnius
• Rebuilding of schools and clinics in war-ravaged Afghanistan
• Relief and recovery for victims of tsunami, Katrina, and other natural disasters
• HOPE Youth Corps volunteer service programs for teens and college students
• Global In-Kind Relief and Assistance procurement program for clinics, hospitals, and natural disasters

In a long planned leadership transition initiated by Bob Gempel and announced by the HOPE worldwide Board last year, Randy Jordan has assumed responsibility as HOPE worldwide’s new CEO. Jordan has 12 years of senior leadership experience with the organization, most recently as chief operating officer. The Gempels, while no longer serving in an executive leadership capacity, will continue on the HOPE worldwide board and plan to remain deeply involved in the organization’s development activities. “We are ‘rewiring’, not retiring,” said Bob Gempel.

Visit us at hopeww.org to learn more about all of HOPE worldwide's programs and see how you can be a part of global change to bring hope to some of the world's most needy.