Hannah Heath’s journey with Mission of Hope began in 2019 as a nervous high school senior preparing for graduation and dreaming about a future in physical therapy. What she did not know at the time was that one unexpected scholarship interview would become part of a much bigger story God was writing in her life.

Over the past seven years, Hannah has experienced the impact of mentorship, prayer, encouragement, and faithful support through the Mission of Hope Scholarship Program. Recently graduating with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Hannah wanted to share her story in her own words.

Below is Hannah’s testimony of how God used Mission of Hope to help shape her education, faith, and future.

My Mission of Hope Story

My story with MOH begins like many other students, my senior year of high school, 2019. I was about to graduate and knew exactly what I wanted to do in college. I was ready to start my journey to becoming a physical therapist. My senior year was filled with college applications, high school finals and last but not least, scholarship applications. I had heard about MOH through my guidance counselor, and it seemed too good to be true. I figured that everyone in the school would be applying for that scholarship and there was no way that I would be the one that was selected. I will never forget that day of the interview with MOH. It was 3rd period and I was called up to the main office, I figured for something related to graduation, little did I know I was about to interview over zoom for the scholarship. For 17 year old me, this was one of the scariest things to happen, I was NOT prepared at all, because I was told the interview would be the following week. Being the person that I am, I volunteered to go first for the interview and proceeded to tell everyone in the interview, including my future mentor, how unprepared I felt, which looking back I would not recommend doing during any sort of interview. But when I joined the meeting, it was like I was just sitting down to talk with old friends, nothing to be nervous about. We talked about what I wanted to do in college, my hobbies and interests, and I could have sat there for hours just talking. When the interview ended, I left the office past the long line of candidates and just thought, God has placed me here for a reason, He will provide. And provide He did, I got the email not long after that saying that I had been selected for the scholarship! Little did I know the impact that initial experience would have on the rest of my life.

Fast forward to my first year of college, I was in a new town, 2 hours away from home, but with my friends living new experiences. But I always missed home. My mentor that I previously mentioned, Doris Moreland, such an incredible and Godly woman. She has been on the other end of stressful nights, calling her needing someone to talk to and pray with. She was such strong blessing from God during those first few years of college, as she still continues to be to this day. She is one of my greatest friends, from calling to check, asking how we can pray for each other, or just our frozen yogurt dates in Johnson City. I am the first person in my family to go to college so navigating the college life was different. MOH gave me so much to put me down the right path, they helped me to feel much more prepared for this long journey I had ahead of me. Financially MOH has been such a blessing in my life and the lives of many other students just like me. I have always been taught by my parents to work hard for what you have and what you want, like they have to provide for me. I just hope that one day, I have the same opportunity to help and advocate for others in the same way.

Lastly, let’s move on to graduate school. I have completed 4 years at ETSU with a bachelors in Rehabilitative Health Sciences and I’m ready to start applying to grad programs for Physical Therapy. I am updating Doris left and right with any updates on my applications. And finally, one day I get the acceptance email from LMU saying that I start in their program May of 2023. I was thrilled! I get one step closer to starting my dream career of being a Physical Therapist. I ask Doris in the following days, has MOH ever extended their scholarship through a graduate program? She told me she was unsure and that I could email the Board of Directors telling them about my situation, wanting to further my education into the graduate level and see what they said. Now while this seemed like a simple email for some, for me it was nerve wrecking. I do not like asking for help, especially when it comes to finances. But I prayed about this dilemma, and God assured me that this opportunity was not brought about by chance. So, I put my foolish pride aside and sent to email. And sure enough, MOH approved my continuation of the scholarship through my three years of graduate school. Just a few weeks ago, I became the graduating class of 2026 from LMU with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

I see know that the opportunity that God placed in front of me not only in 2023, but also back in 2019 was not just about the financial help. It was about the relationships being built behind the scenes, the fellowships that were being created, doing all things in His Holy name and through His power, showing others His goodness and kindness. Without God none of this would have been possible. Over the past 7 years of school that I have been through, I have had my share of being on the path God chose for me, being on the wrong path that I selfishly chose for me, and finally seeing where God wants me to be and how He wants to use me as part of His ministry. I found a church and church family that have welcomed me with opened arms, I found the love of my life at that church, I teach in my Sunday school class and help with the youth on Wednesday nights. I have grown so much spiritually over the past 7 years, and I am so thankful God has allowed me to live this wonderful life He had all planned out for me. I am forever grateful that Mission of Hope was such a big part of my life and my journey and will continue to help change the lives of kids every single day.

Hannah Heath

Stories like Hannah’s remind us that the Mission of Hope Scholarship Program is about far more than financial assistance. It is about building relationships, walking alongside students, encouraging their faith, and helping them discover the plans God has for their lives.

Because of faithful supporters, students across Appalachia are finding hope and opportunity for generations to come.

We are so thankful for Hannah, her heart for others, and the incredible journey God has led her on. Congratulations, Dr. Hannah Heath!