Who Are We?

HOPE International Ministries, Inc. is a "faith supported" 501 (c) (3) evangelical organization. Our mission is to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the prisons, jails, schools, churches, motorcycle and biker events, towns and villages of the world.

Working around the globe in places like: Central America, South America, South Africa, Haiti, Mexico, North America and all over the United States, we work along side organizations like: Champions for Life, Bill Glass Weekend of Champions, Honduras Dental Mission, Christian Motorcyclist Association, Missionary Ventures International, churches and other organizations spreading the good news about Jesus Christ and God's plan for all people from all walks of life.

HOPE International Ministries, Inc. (HOPE-Helping Other People Eternally) was founded by Dr. Rod and Vivian Smith and is headquartered in Laurel, Mississippi. Joining the staff of HOPE in 2004, Joe and Patti McDonald work out of Mobile, Alabama.

Dr. Rod and Vivian Smith
mailto:Rod@HOPEeternal.com
mailto:Vivian@HOPEeternal.com

Dr. Rod Smith's photo courtesy of http://www.mbdh.org/HTML/RodPromo.htm:

Dr. Rod Smith and his wife Vivian have three daughters, one son, four grandsons and one granddaughter. They live in Laurel, MS.

They both travel full time for HOPE International Ministries, Inc. to the prisons and jails of the world. Rod is the Director of the Honduras Dental Mission.

Rod retired from 21 years as a Pastor in 1990 and he and Vivian established HOPE International Ministries, Inc.

Rod is the Louisiana State Director and a Coordinator for the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions Prison Ministry and on the Advisory Board for International Events. Rod and Vivian are also members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Rod wears many hats. He is best described as a preacher and “motivational humorist”, Rod brings his rich background as a former professional rodeo cowboy, dairy farmer, Louisiana State Trooper, pastor, and motorcyclist to his venues.

Rod has preached, entertained and motivated people at rodeos, biker (motorcycle) events, prisons, churches, civic clubs, banquets and a variety of other special events. He uses “storyteller” humor, illusions, and ventriloquism to gain attention and closes with a motivational message appropriate to his audience. Having traveled and lived in Latin America, he is fluent in Spanish and has a deep appreciation of the Latin culture as well as his own Southern culture.

Rod is a graduate of Louisiana State University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M/Div), The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (D/Min) and The Spanish Language Institute of Costa Rica. Vivian is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a BA in Art.

He is the author of “A Time to Laugh A Time to Cry” and is available to speak, to preach revivals, or to entertain in most any venue.

Joe and Patti McDonald
mailto:Joe@HOPEeternal.com
mailto:Patti@HOPEeternal.com

Joe and Patti McDonald were married in 1971 and have four Daughters, two Sons, five Granddaughters and one Grandson. Joe is a native of Mobile and Patti was born in Schenectady, NY. They have lived in Mobile, AL. since 1971.

Joe is traveling full time with HOPE International Ministries, Inc. to the prisons and jails of the world while raising their financial support. Patti will join him when they reach their financial support goals.

Joe is the Chaplain for the Harley Owners Group Mobile, Alabama Chapter. He was a Real Estate Broker and former partner in Haney-McDonald Realty, Inc. in Mobile. Joe is the President Elect of the Mobile West Rotary Club, a Coordinator for the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions Prison Ministry and on the International Events Advisory Board for the Bill Glass Weekend of Champions.

Patti has a BS from the University of South Alabama and is currently working on a MBA from USA. She has worked in telecommunications since 1997 and will continue until she can join Joe in full time ministry.

Joe and Patti are members of Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.

Jeremy Smith

Jeremy Smith is a former United States Marine (active duty) and is a 12 year veteran of
local and federal law enforcement. As a local police officer he served as a field training
officer, community relations / D.A.R.E. officer, motorcycle officer and a Special
Response Team sniper/entry team member. He is currently working as a federal agent
primarily in the southeast region of the United States.
Jeremy has been actively involved in youth ministry, North and Central American
missions, prison ministry and many other evangelistic ministries for approximately 14
years. For most of those years Jeremy has partnered with HOPE International Ministries.
HOPE (Helping Other People Eternally) Ministries was founded by Jeremy’s father, Dr.
Rod Smith, who has been a pastor, foreign and domestic missionary, and a professional
speaker for 30 plus years. Jeremy has periodically taught leadership and character
seminars in churches, schools, business’ and prisons throughout the United States.
Jeremy is currently teaching the Way of the Master Basic Training Course in the Greater
Atlanta, Georgia area. Jeremy serves as an outreach and missions leader at his church
and plans street evangelism events, prison ministry, and mission trips on a regular basis.
Jeremy also enjoys breaking the ice in unusual ways such as using “strength stunts” and
various illusions to get peoples attention before sharing the Law and the Good News to
them.

Jeremy his wife, Carol, and their daughter Madison enjoy physical fitness activities,
hiking, and trips to the mountains whenever possible. Jeremy and Carol have lived in 12
different states from the west coast to the east coast and enjoy traveling when they can.
Although they are from the “deep south”, their favorite state to live in was New Mexico.