John Calaway

John Calaway is our President and Executive Director. He graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 2006 and promptly moved to Nepal to live and work among the Sherpa people and start a business, plant churches, train pastors and host medical clinics in remote villages. It was in Nepal that God began to develop his heart for the local church and those living in poverty. 

Upon his return to the U.S., John attended Baylor University’s Truett Seminary where he received his M. Div. with a concentration in Missions and World Christianity in 2011. While in graduate school he became actively engaged with Church Under the Bridge and Mission Waco. It was here that he learned about Christian community development and how to consider addressing systemic issues surrounding poverty. After graduating, he moved to Austin and was a Missions Pastor for six years before returning to Waco to join our staff in early 2017.

John has led multiple workshops for the No Need Among You Conference, served as a speaker for the Texas Christian Community Development Network and is active in the Christian Community Development Association. He has sat on different boards for nonprofit organizations and traveled all over the world leading hundreds of people to serve the poor.

He loves to go mountain biking in Cameron Park, competing in triathlons, mountain climbing and backpacking all over the U.S. and traveling around the world. His wife, Sarah, is a pediatric physical therapist and is passionate about advocating for children with special needs. They both love having fun with their two young kids, Cohen and Cora.