Toby put her faith in Christ at age 5 through the ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Steve also professed Christ at age 17 through the ministry of Calvary Church in Missouri. Steve and Toby were married in 1974 and have been in full-time ministry since then. The Hoppers are empty‐nesters and proud parents of three sons, three daughters‐in‐law, and seven grandchildren.

Toby graduated from Briercrest Bible Institute in 1974, and Steve from Asbury Seminary in 1977. Directly after his graduation, they began their pastoral ministry by working with two churches in Washington and Idaho. After six years, they returned to Steve’s spiritual roots in Missouri, where they served on the pastoral staff of his home church for 10 years. Finally, they moved and joined the Crossroads Fellowship staff, where they ministered for 14 years in various roles.

In 2006, they joined Global Aid Network (GAiN), making their home in Dallas, Texas. Both Steve and Toby traveled extensively several times a year ministering to people and supporting churches. Throughout their ministry in churches and as missionaries, they’ve had a great heart for training, mentoring, resourcing, and encouraging pastors, leaders, and their wives.

In 2013, Steve and Toby felt called to join Global Training Network (GTN), which focuses on developing leaders who are able to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things that you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Steve focuses on training pastors and helping national leaders become all they can be in Christ—equipping them to win the lost, build up the body of Christ, and help the local church support their communities. Toby has a wonderful heart for people, which she uses to nurture the wives of local pastors and other women in leadership, throughout the stages of their lives and marriages. Since 2013, the Hoppers have applied their complimentary ministry skills in the countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Haiti, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Together, they’ve trained more than 4,500 people.