The Father's Heart Foundation USA, Fundacion Corazon Del Padre in El Salvador, and The Father's Heart Foundation Canada are working together to build a future of hope in El Salvador.
We believe in team work, national "ownership" and accountability. We have worked with a Salvadoran board of directors since our inscription in 2009 - with board members from almost every continent, working together to establish this great work. Our USA and Canadian boards are new (2016, and 2018), and are forming Fundraising and Partner Development Committees, to help build resources for the work in El Salvador. Below is some information about our founders and our board members, who bring a wealth of knowledge to this ministry. Visit our team page to read more about our missionaries and staff members who are working hard in El Salvador to make our vision a reality.
Our Founders
Samuel and Charity Okurut, with their children, Benjamin ('09), Eleanora ('11), Eseuna ('13), and Charity ('15)
Executive Director
Samuel Patrick Okurut, Founder and Executive Director of The Father’s Heart Foundation, he is the link between all three boards. He reports to and serves on the 3 FHF boards: El Salvador, the USA, and Canada.
Born in Uganda in May 1980, Samuel grew up in a battlefield, and has a testimony of healing, forgiveness, and of finding hope and coming out of "poverty". The second edition to his book, "Living in the Shadow of Death" is coming out in March 2019, if you want to read more...
Samuel first visited El Salvador in November 2007. Before founding FHF in El Salvador, Samuel was the National Accountant and Loan Portfolio Manager for Habitat for Humanity Uganda. He also served as the National Youth Representative for Teso Region and Branch Field Coordinator for Teso Region, Red Cross Uganda. Samuel has experience and training in Microfinance , family-based orphan care, agriculture, all areas of construction, as an assistant pastor, church elder, and a foster father.
Married to Charity (06-07-08), and father to 4 young children. Samuel enjoys playing guitar and the Ugandan thumb piano, playing a traditional Ugandan board game with his children, and discipleship through farming and business.
Want to read more? You can read Samuel's life story, "Living in the Shadow of Death: From a Child of War to an Ambassador of Christ" - available on Amazon & Kindle. 'A true story of forgiveness, healing, and of finding God's purpose after being tortured to the point of death.'
Director of Childcare & Communications
Born in Canada in May 1981, Charity began short-term missions trips to El Salvador in January 2000.
Charity has been (and is still being!) "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (1 Tim) by her lifelong study and application of the Scriptures. She also reads and researches on a wide variety of subjects such as: theology, nutrition, childcare, orphan care, leadership, and biblical counselling. Charity has attended several training institutes and conferences on leadership and counselling and has over 20 years-experience working with typical and special needs children and adults, and working in Christian ministry.
Charity is a homeschooling momma who loves discipleship, research, writing, time at the beach and sipping coffee with a good friend. She serves in her local Salvadoran church doing Bible studies and singing on the worship team. Her greatest joy is in seeing a child come to know who God is and who they are in Him.
Charity is also an amateur graphics & web-designer, and works to market and sell Father's Heart Coffee to construct and support the work of FHF in El Salvador. She is also a self-published author and editor. Find her first book on Amazon & Kindle:
Meet Our USA Board Members
This work in El Salvador is a consortium of 3 distinct but partnered entities, from 3 different countries. The Father's Heart Foundation USA and The Father's Heart Foundation Canada are working in partnership with Fundacion Corazon Del Padre in El Salvador. Each board governs their own entity and the 3 entries work together to establish and maintain a holistic and sustainable ministry that remains rooted in the Word of God and holds to our 7 core values. We remain spiritually and financially accountable to each board, but the Salvadoran board is more directly involved in policy and practice. Our executive Director reports to all three boards and then works with a small & growing Management Team in El Salvador. Each individual board member brings a wealth of information and wisdom as they keep us accountable in finances and in policy and practice. Meet our USA board members below. We have a separate website for The Father's Heart Foundation Canada (www.fathersheartvillage.org).
Megan Schultz, Treasurer
Where are you from?
Born in: Redding, California in January of 1976. Lives in: Kentucky
Family: Married to Nate Schultz, with three children: Jehu-18, Emilie-15 and Jillian-9.
Professional Summary: Pursued Business/Accounting in College for 3 years before realizing I wanted to work directly with people to change lives. I changed direction and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Social Work. I served with the intellectually disabled population and their families for 10 years. When our youngest child was two years old we decided I would leave my employment to stay home, take care of our home and raise our children. We began to home educate our children about 4 years ago as well.
What inspired me to get involved with the Father's Heart Foundation?
Father's Heart Foundation was introduced into our lives in May of 2019 when we met founders, Samuel and Charity Okurut, during their visit to Kentucky, USA for a Christian Alliance for Orphans conference in Louisville, KY. They made a visit to our church and shared about the Father's Heart Foundation and the vision for the community in El Salvador. Our interest was providentially captured from the beginning and we knew we wanted to support these wonderful people and their work, as well as to be a part of this ministry in some way. The statistics about El Salvador's orphans is staggering. We feel beyond blessed to have the opportunity to serve our great God through Father's Heart Foundation. To know God and make Him known to others is a true miracle. We look forward to being the hands and feet of our Lord to His children.
David Stremciuc,
Member
Where are you from? I was born in Chicago, IL and lived there until the beginning of high school when my family moved to Phoenix, AZ. Living in Texas.
Family: I have a wonderful wife named Diana, and 4 young children.
About David: David enjoys the great outdoors (camping, fishing, snowboarding, hiking, etc) and a current interest is learning how to rehab houses. David works as a Heavy Check Materials Supervisor at American Airlines, and has experience as a Financial Advisor and an Assisted Living Manager.
What inspired you to get involved with the Father's Heart Foundation? James 1:27
Visited El Salvador? Yes, lived there.
Jim Murphy,
Board Member
Where are you From? From Vancouver, British Columbia, born in the USA, International background, and continues to travel extensively, but keeps a home in Point Roberts, Washington.
About Jim: Jim Murphy is an author (Inner Excellence) and Performance Coach (mental skills) to some of the best athletes and leaders in the world. Jim played professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization, coached with the Texas Rangers and helped lead South Africa to one of the biggest upset victories in Olympic baseball history. In addition to coaching professional athletes and executives, Jim leads Inner Excellence offsite retreats at beautiful locations around the world.
What inspired me to get involved with the Father's Heart Foundation?
“Hearing Samuel’s story and the vision that God called him to in El Salvador, inspired me to become part of the team to make the vision a reality.”
Visited El Salvador? Yes
Sam Brown,
Secretary USA
Darrell Music,
Board Member
Music Director and Conductor at Stow Symphony Orchestra.
Has visited El Salvador
more info coming soon!
If you would like more information about The Father's Heart Foundation USA or if you would like to serve as a FHF Ambassador or work with our board, then contact us today!