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 & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Read The Hallsted's Bio
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
Read Melanie's Bio
Melanie serves as our 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 are excited for the arrival of their first 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
Read Christina's Bio
Christina and her husband Ryan have been longtime supporters of Healthbridge in many ways, but starting in 2022 she started offering her time, 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 Stephens
PARTNERSHIP LIAISON
Read Cameron's Bio
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.
Paul Bagai
MISSIONAL AMBASSADOR
Read Paul's Bio
I was born and raised in Northern California. My wife Marianne and I along with our two daughters live in Loudon, TN where I serve as the discipleship and young adult pastor at First Baptist, Knoxville. I hold 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. I have served in the local church for 20 years in various pastoral roles and have a deep passion for mission work, both locally and globally. I’ve led trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and The Philippines, and have done work within schools, apartment complexes, and with various community organizations to discern the needs and respond with the hope of the Gospel. I love 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. I’m excited to see where God continues to lead as we seek to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God!
Jason Buono
BOARD CHAIRMAN
Read Jason's Bio
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
Read Donna's Bio
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
Read Eric's Bio
Born and raised in Southern California , I now live in Olympia, WA with my beautiful wife and 4 amazing daughters. 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.
Greg Urquhart
BOARD MEMBER
Read Greg's Bio
My wife, Kristin, 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.
Jeremy Young
BOARD MEMBER
Read Jeremy's Bio
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 thos 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 expressionss of gratitude both inside and outside the organization.
Learn More by Visiting our Media Library
Frequently Asked
QUESTIONS
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.
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.
Through the generosity of people, churches, and organizations who believe in what we do in 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.
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.
Yes! Healthbridge Global is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) charity organization, and therefore all donations made to Healthbridge Global are tax-deductible.
Watch our video
Romania - Life Medical Center
Healthbridge Global is partnering to build the first life-affirming maternity hospital and women’s clinic in Romania.
Romania - Rise Together
Healthbridge is partnering with a Romanian non-profit organization to provide trauma healing for Romania’s orphans.
Watch our video
I Care For India
Healthbridge has helped support a rural mobile clinic effort to remote villages in SE India, and is now planning on building a permanent clinical home-base.
Lower Egypt - Pediatrics
Healthbridge is partnering to build dedicated pediatric in-patient and out-patient clinics to elevate the compassionate care provided to children in this remote area of Egypt.
Romania - ProVita
Healthbridge has partnered on a one of a kind multi-specialty clinic for women and children in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.