Elpis International was born from the vision of Pastor Michael Arega, who witnessed the struggles of orphaned children in Ethiopia. Partnering with Pastor Manny Keyser, they embarked on a mission to create sustainable support systems for these children. Their shared dream and prayerful beginnings led to the founding of Elpis International, an organization now recognized for its transformative work.

In 2008, Josh Leinbach joined as the first missionary from the United States answering a call to help a great need in the country of Ethiopia, to meet physical needs that opened the door to humanity’s greatest need for hope found only in the Person of Jesus Christ. His wife, Angele, joined in those early years working alongside Pastor Michael and Manny to help create our sponsorship program and serving Elpis meeting administrative needs. The Leinbach family has traveled along with their children to serve in Ethiopia on many mission trips and continues to serve on the Stateside Volunteer team supporting the vision of Elpis.

From that humble beginning of committing to serve 18 helpless children from the streets of Awassa, Ethiopia, the Lord began to
raise up people who shared in the vision of Elpis to give of time, financial support, talents and gifts to offer life and hope found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 2014, Southeast Community Church from Saint Mary's, GA joined the work of Elpis International by sponsoring the children, work and ministry of our second Feeding Center started in the city of Bahir Dar
in Northern Ethiopia. They have continued their support through the faithful giving of financial assistance and missionaries to serve those children and families.

In 2015, Jim Callaway took his first of many mission trips to Ethiopia.  The Callaway family had already been faithful sponsors through Elpis. In the subsequent years Jim has also taken missionary trips with his wife and each of their children.  He and his wife Katharine are now an integral part of the Volunteer Team Stateside.

As the needs and opportunities abound, the work and outreach of
Elpis continues to grow and the vision of giving hope to the hopeless burns brighter than ever before.

Elpis is indebted to and grateful for many other stateside volunteers, more than we can name here, who have joined in the work of Elpis, giving of their time and talents stateside, travelling to Ethiopia to serve, loving the Ethiopian people, and sharing in the vision of bringing Hope with the hopeless. 

From 2008, with a small group of street children and a handful of volunteers to the present day, God continues to use this ministry to bring life to children and families and glory to His Name.