Hover over a moment to read its story.
2017
Ryan was introduced to Twitch in 2017. After only thirty minutes of exploring the site, his heart was already telling him there was a problem: boys discipling boys in the way of the world. He literally said out loud, “Somebody needs to do something!” And as only the Holy Spirit can do, God’s response pressed on Ryan’s heart: “You’re somebody.”
2021
Feeling God’s guidance to enter this space with more intentionality, Ryan called up a friend he had met while streaming on Twitch: James Horton. Ryan instantly knew that James loved Jesus, and God had bonded their hearts together with brotherly love. In the summer of 2021, James and his wife Chelsie flew out for our first ever meeting — and it was Chelsie who came up with the perfect name for our online outreach ministry: Hopeful Disasters. It is the perfect easy entry into the gospel. What is Hopeful Disasters? I am a Hopeful Disaster! In this world I am a mess, full of sin, with no shot at hope on my own — but through the work and person of Jesus Christ, I have hope in this life and for eternity.
2023
By 2023, Hopeful Disasters had grown from the four of us to ten Digital Missionaries whom God had called to be on mission with us. It was at this point that we decided to invest the resources and time into becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry — a massive milestone, as we saw the longevity and sustainability in the ministry God had given us.
2023
Also in 2023, we held our first all-leadership in-person retreat. It was the first time most of us had ever met in person, and God used it to show us how much value there really is in in-person community. That time together solidified our stance that online community is just a shadow of in-person community, and we grew so much in friendship and purpose.
2024
We held our first annual HopeCon in Seattle, Washington — an in-person conference for anyone within our online discipleship community, with food, fun, fellowship, teaching, worship, and quiet times. God used this time in tremendous ways, and we are so grateful for it.
2025
Ryan knew that God was asking him to leave his corporate job at Amazon and go into full-time ministry with Hope Digital Missions. In January of 2025, Ryan and Kristin were commissioned out by Hope Community to be full-time Digital Missionaries.
2026
In March of 2026, Hopeful Disasters appointed its new Board of Directors for oversight of the organization.
2026
Hopeful Disasters restructured into Hope Digital Missions — the umbrella organization made up of our three branches: Hopeful Disasters, HopeCon, and Hope Digital Education. One mission, meeting people where they are.
Today
