Michael VanHook

Michael has worn many hats over the course of his life—educator, businessman, and pastor. His personal journey has been a passionate pursuit to discover how his life, transformed by God’s grace, can make a difference in the lives of others.

Any success that he has achieved, he attributes to the faithful support of family and friends. Michael holds master’s degrees from Northern Kentucky University and Asbury Seminary.

Michael’s improbable journey with Haiti has transformed his life as much as theirs. “I can’t explain why or how, but their love has profoundly changed me.” The spark was lit when he made a trip to Haiti as an 18-year-old high school senior. His deep, abiding love for the Haitian people motivated him to found the International Strategic Alliances as a response to their stated dreams and needs. He considers the greatest compliment that he has ever received, was when a Haitian man told him, “I consider you a Haitian because you treat us as equals.”

After living the last eight years in Brazil, Michael and his wife Luciana returned to the United States. He teaches high school in Northern Kentucky and leads the MSV Educational Network, an English language and cultural institute in Brazil.