Who
We Are
Seven years overseas convinced founders, Jonathan and Rebecca Hallsted, of the power of healthcare ministry to carry the Gospel to closed nations, closed cultures, and closed hearts. Meeting medical needs in the spirit and name of Christ builds bridges for true Gospel impact, and transformation of people and communities. It’s what we are instructed to do. “Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘the kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Luke 10:9
So, together with a few friends and some pocket change, they launched Healthbridge Global in 2011. Our model is to partner with local leaders to bring lasting medical impact, while allowing the Gospel and the hope of Christ to shape and flow through everything we do. We believe that nothing less than strategic, thoughtful, compassionate, and sustainable approaches should be employed. In this way we honor our Creator as we care for His creation in the form of other human beings. Our name communicates it well; we use healthcare to build bridges for the gospel to hearts around the globe.
Our
Leadership & Team Members
Jon & Becca
Hallsted
Founders & President
Jon & Becca
Hallsted
Founders & President
Jon & Becca
Hallsted
Founders & President
About Jon & Becca
Hallsted
Jon and Becca met in high-school but were drawn together in college via their mutual passion for mission work. Becca is an RN, and Jon studied business, eventually landing a career on the business side of healthcare. He has a combined 13 years running a Healthcare MSO (Management Services Organization), overseeing the business and operational side of private healthcare practices. From 2006-2012, the Hallsteds had the privilege of spending 6 years in Eastern Europe working with doctors in a missional context. This is where their passion for combining spiritual issues with practical medical issues was really birthed, as well as their commitment to local leadership and financial viability in missional endeavors. Jon has had the privilege of sitting on four non-profit boards, in addition to leading Healthbridge Global. Becca has devoted an enormous amount of time over the last 18 years homeschooling their 4 children in various forms. Jon and Becca live in Northern California (just outside of Sacramento), and in their mutual free time enjoy bike rides, eating new food, and visiting new places.
Melanie
Azarcon
Partner & Church Liaison
Melanie
Azarcon
Partner & Church Liaison
Melanie
Azarcon
Partner & Church Liaison
About Melanie
Azarcon
Melanie serves as a Partnership Liaison, combining her years of volunteer and vocational experience in church, parachurch, and missions ministries. Melanie and her family have had their own health journey, where they discovered that integrating faith with compassionate healthcare, brings holistic healing. That experience forms a passionate foundation from which she shares with Healthbridge Global partners. Melanie has been married to her husband Barry for 35 years. They love spending time with their 4 grown kids and their spouses, and their beautiful granddaughter. They love God and building His kingdom. For rest and recreation they enjoy hiking, kayaking, traveling, gardening, and trying new ethnic food.
Christina
Delfs
Executive Assistant & Grant Coordinator
Christina
Delfs
Executive Assistant & Grant Coordinator
Christina
Delfs
Executive Assistant & Grant Coordinator
About Christina
Delfs
Christina and her husband, Ryan, have been longtime supporters of Healthbridge Global in many ways, but starting in 2022, she began offering her time and talent (and treasure) to help us do a better job partnering with foundations and grant opportunities. Her attention to detail, never-quit attitude, and determination have been a tremendous blessing to us and our partners.
Cameron
Grogan
Partnership Liaison
Cameron
Grogan
Partnership Liaison
Cameron
Grogan
Partnership Liaison
About Cameron
Grogan
Cameron was raised in Andalusia, a small town in southern Alabama. She is a recent graduate of Auburn University, where she earned a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Initially accepted into medical school. Cameron felt a compelling call to shift her focus toward fundraising. Alongside her fiancé, she developed a deep passion for global missions, furthering her call to fundraise for a Christian non-profit. Cameron is thrilled to merge her interests in healthcare, global outreach, and fundraising to advance the mission of Healthbridge Global.
Jamie
Walker
Project Discipleship Lead
Jamie
Walker
Project Discipleship Lead
Jamie
Walker
Project Discipleship Lead
About Jamie
Walker
Growing up in a military family, Jamie enjoyed the adventure of moving to a new city every two to three years. One of her favorite places was Cairo, Egypt, where she lived during her middle school years. It was there that her love for exploring new cultures and connecting with people from different backgrounds first began. With experience in administrative work and project management, along with time spent in Romania volunteering with Gospel-centered organizations, Jamie now serves at Healthbridge Global as our Project and Partner Discipleship Lead. Her role brings together her love for Jesus, her love for people, and her love of checking things off a list. Jamie is passionate about Healthbridge Global’s mission to use dignified healthcare as a practical means of connecting people with the hope of the Gospel. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys road trips, sports, spicy food, quality time with family and friends, and driving with the music up and the windows down.
Carter
Crockett, Ph.D.
Director Of Strategic Relationships
Carter
Crockett, Ph.D.
Director Of Strategic Relationships
Carter
Crockett, Ph.D.
Director Of Strategic Relationships
About Carter
Crockett, Ph.D.
Carter began his career in marketing with innovative companies such as Microsoft and Cranium before launching ventures of his own. As an entrepreneur, he has started companies and social enterprises. As a professor and consultant, he has guided hundreds of ventures across three continents. In 2009, Carter co-founded the first strategy consulting firm in Rwanda. During seven years there, he experienced firsthand the profound and lasting impact of unconventional mission work. Convinced of the power of using our best to empower those who need it most, Carter has become a pioneer and thought leader in social enterprise, economic development, and impact investing. Carter serves as Director of Strategic Relations at Healthbridge Global. In this role, he invites partners to join our mission of addressing the health of the vulnerable with the hope of the Gospel. Born and raised in Southern California, Carter and his wife, Kerry, have lived as minorities in diverse cultural contexts for 15 years and now live in Nashville, Tennessee. Carter earned his Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship and Ethics in Aberdeen, Scotland, and has served as a professor at Westmont College, Gordon College, and Carnegie Mellon University (African Campus). Kerry serves as an ordained deacon in the Anglican Church. They are proud parents of two adult children. Carter enjoys kayaking and fishing on rivers, playing soccer and mandolin with others.
Randy
Martin
Partnership Liaison
Randy
Martin
Partnership Liaison
Randy
Martin
Partnership Liaison
About Randy
Martin
Randy joined the Healthbridge Global team in June of 2026. Prior to that, Randy and his wife, Jan, served for many years on staff at FamilyLife, a ministry of Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). Randy and Jan grew up in Central Illinois, met at church, and were married in 1976. They have four married sons and are blessed with 23 grandchildren! All their sons are involved in a full-time ministry, and the older grandchildren seem to be following in their footsteps. Throughout their lives, Randy and Jan have served faithfully in their local churches in a wide variety of roles. They love serving others, and marriage ministry remains especially close to their hearts. Through a good friend, they learned about Healthbridge Global and quickly became excited about the projects HBG is helping complete around the world. Healthcare has also been meaningful to them due to Jan’s career as a pediatric occupational therapist.
Paul
Bagai
Missional Ambassador
Paul
Bagai
Missional Ambassador
Paul
Bagai
Missional Ambassador
About Paul
Bagai
Paul was born and raised in Northern California. His wife Marianne and their two daughters live in Loudon, TN where Paul serves as the discipleship and young adult pastor at First Baptist, Knoxville. He holds a B.A. in Religion and a Master of Theological Studies from Vanguard University, as well as a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Paul has served in the local church for 20 years in various pastoral roles and have a deep passion for mission work, both locally and globally. He's led trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and The Philippines, and has done work within schools, apartment complexes, and with various community organizations to discern the needs and respond with the hope of the Gospel. He loves seeing what God is doing in and through Healthbridge Global and how people are experiencing physical and spiritual healing that only Jesus can truly bring. Paul is excited to see where God continues to lead as we seek to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God!
Greg
Urquhart
Board Member
Greg
Urquhart
Board Member
Greg
Urquhart
Board Member
About Greg
Urquhart
My wife, Kristen, and I reside in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California where we split our time between our family farm, a demanding career, our four kids, and serving God in a variety of ways, including in our local church. I've been working for Microsoft off and on for nearly 22 years. My current role is that of a Global Sr. Director. My career has included periodic breaks from Microsoft to help launch start-ups and spend time serving overseas. Our family has spent two very meaningful seasons abroad, starting with a number of years in France working for Microsoft, followed by 4 years in Rwanda where we were blessed to be a part of a team that launched successful missional business enterprises. We have a passion for the Gospel and for cross-cultural impact, and strive to make that evident in the way we spend our time and use our gifts.
Jason
Buono
Board Chairman
Jason
Buono
Board Chairman
Jason
Buono
Board Chairman
About Jason
Buono
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska I spent my time playing soccer, fishing, cross country skiing, camping and working summers above the Arctic Circle. I knew from the time I was a freshman in high school that I wanted to be a Physical Therapist. After graduating high school, the next seven years were dedicated to just that. After graduating and meeting my amazing wife, Erin, who is also a physical therapist from Alaska... go figure... we moved from Oregon to Washington to work for a Catholic non-profit hospital system. It was this first career position that made me appreciate how Christ-centered healthcare can truly change a life. I also found how being a provider who has compassion and empathy for his patients can produce truly great results and change lives forever. With two young children, Erin and I have been dedicated to raising them to care for their world (local and global) with our family mission of "Leave the World a Better Place". Being a part of Healthbridge Global does that with unabashed attention. I am pleased to give and serve on this amazing board that I have no doubt will reach its goals and change the world.
Donna
Freemon
Board Member
Donna
Freemon
Board Member
Donna
Freemon
Board Member
About Donna
Freemon
From the time I was about 7 years old, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. Around that same time, I came to faith through vacation Bible school and wanted to use my desire to care for others, paired with my faith, to make an impact on a lost world. It’s been an amazing journey,, alongside my husband and our 3 kids, we served in South Asia for 20 years, where my little girl dream became a reality. We currently reside in Brentwood, Tennessee, where my husband, Brett, serves as the Minister of Missions at Brentwood Baptist Church. I continue to work part-time as an RN, travel with my husband and love on our 3 grandsons! We enjoy hiking, kayaking and playing games.
Eric
Hanson
Board Member
Eric
Hanson
Board Member
Eric
Hanson
Board Member
About Eric
Hanson
Born and raised in Southern California , I now live in Scottsdale, AZ with my beautiful wife Julie. Our family has been involved with Healthbridge Global since the inception as board members. I enjoyed 13+ years at PepsiCo in various sales, operations and marketing roles, and currently run my own marketing agency, Tilladelse. While I enjoy my profession, my real passions have always been with my family and gospel centered activities. In the last twenty years God has allowed us to be involved internationally in various ways; support of several individual missionaries, mission based philanthropic organizations, as well as visits to Mexico, Romania, and Cambodia. As I look forward to the future, my hope/desire is that God will continue to open doors where Healthbridge Global can make a difference.
Jeremy
Young
Board Member
Jeremy
Young
Board Member
Jeremy
Young
Board Member
About Jeremy
Young
For over twenty years, my professional life revolved around treating patients as a clinical endodontist in the Sierra Foothills of California. While I served a broad range of patients, I sub-specialized in sedation and anesthesia and spent considerable time caring for developmentally disabled pediatric and phobic adult populations. Without a doubt, those twenty years gave me a front-row seat to the fear, anxiety, and vulnerability that many people bring to the doctor’s office. Yet I also witnessed great joy and relief once the procedure was complete and the pain was gone. Every day I saw people move from sorrow to delight. From worry to peace. From suffering to comfort. In a small way, this is a picture of the gospel of Jesus Christ! However, I am convinced that if we don’t help people see this connection, their physical disease may be cured while their spiritual ailment remains. That is why it was an easy decision to partner when I learned of Healthbridge Global’s vision of utilizing healthcare to build bridges for the gospel worldwide. My wife, Katie, and I are excited to see how God will use this ministry to bless both body and soul to the ends of the earth.
Our Core Values
Relational vs. Institutional
People and relationships are forever and the best projects will flow from trusting relationships.
Long-Term Mentality
We focus on long-term solutions, not quick fixes. This requires time and patience. God is the ultimate evaluator of our work.
We are Humble, Inter-dependent, & Always Learning
We don't know everything. We are dependent on the experience of those who have gone before us, and on the grace of God. We continually learn so that we can consistently serve better.
Supporting Local Leaders
Local leaders understand the problems facing their communities best. They also understand the solutions. Our role is to support, augment, and catalyze the vision and calling in their hearts.
Financially Viable Projects
Projects must support their own operational expenses. Job creation and tax-revenue are a vital part of the larger community blessing - bringing credibility with governmental agencies and community leaders.
True Partnerships
We seek to bring more than just funding to our relationships. We avoid "employment" type arrangements where we bring the money and they do the work. We must both contribute financial and sweat equity to our projects.
Integrity
We practice accuracy and transparency in how we handle funds and communicate with our financial partners.
Generosity and Gratitude
Generosity is a 360-degree experience. We seek to be on both the receiving and the giving end of generosity in how we approach everything. We will foster a culture of sincere, timely, and appropriate expressions of gratitude both inside and outside the organization.
Visit our YouTube Channel to Learn More
YouTube Media LibraryFrequently asked
questions
What type of projects does Healthbridge Global engage in?
We partner with projects and organizations in developing nations, led by local leaders, that are addressing local concerns with local needs and resources. Our goal is to help them build capacity and take significant steps forward in their call to meet healthcare and gospel needs. For a more detailed version of these guidelines please feel free to contact us directly.
Are you a grant-making foundation?
No, not really. Financial support is one way we try to help worthy projects in organizations. However, the process is a little different than a typical “Grant-Making Foundation” because of how we are funded and structured. Feel free to contact us for more details of how you might be involved.
How are you funded?
Through the generosity of people, churches, and organizations who believe in what we do and who want to make a difference together. We also seek help from like-minded foundations, and/or corporations who have access to greater resources than us.
Are you seeking partnership from corporations and/or foundations?
Yes! Although the majority of our partners are individuals we’ve received a significant amount of support from foundations and corporations involved as funding partners. If you have a strategic connection within a corporation or Foundation, we’d love to talk about the possibilities. In addition, many corporations will match (and sometimes triple) the donation of their employees. If you are already a donor, reach out to see if your company will partner with you, as you partner with us.
Are you a charity / non-profit?
Yes! Healthbridge Global is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) charity organization, and therefore all donations made to Healthbridge Global are tax-deductible.
Other questions?
Feel free to reach out—we’re happy to answer any questions you may have. info@healthbridgeglobal.org
Central Asia
Through a partnership with a Christ-centered clinic, Healthbridge Global is equipping people and providing the tools needed to care well for families who deserve so much more.
Nepal
Through the Ark of Hope clinic in Pokhara and our partners Peter and Dr. Roni Gurung, we seek to make healthcare a bridge that meets physical needs while opening doors for discipleship and gospel witness.
Burundi
Through the expansion of triage and outpatient services at Kibuye Hope Hospital, compassionate, Christ-centered medical care will strengthen communities and create space for the gospel to transform lives across the nation.
Mongolia
Through the new Enerekh Veterinary Clinical Training Center, Christian veterinary care will strengthen livelihoods and open doors for the gospel to change lives across Mongolia.
LIFE Medical Center - Romania
Healthbridge Global is partnering to build the first life-affirming maternity hospital and women’s clinic in Romania.
iCare for India
Healthbridge has helped support a rural mobile clinic effort to remote villages in SE India, and is now planning on a permanent clinical home-base.