About the ministry
A seat at the table
for people who have never heard
Speak Truth Cafe exists so that students who may never hear the gospel in any other way can hear it from someone who cares enough to keep showing up.
Our mission
Equipping believers to live out the Great Commission
Speak Truth Cafe equips English-speaking believers in North America to live out the Great Commission as an online missionary — using conversational English to build meaningful relationships, disciple students, and share the hope of Jesus Christ with people around the world, connecting them to local believers whenever possible.
If you have a heart for the lost, especially those in closed countries, there is a place for you in this ministry — as a missionary, as an intercessor, or as a supporter.
How it works
How Speak Truth Cafe works
Two individuals are involved in every conversation, and a good deal of care goes into pairing them.
Two people, one conversation
The online missionary is a Christian with a heart for people from other cultures. The student is usually outside North America, wants to improve their conversational English, and is willing to do so by reading the Bible during those conversations.
Both sides are vetted
Missionaries apply and are vetted before being assigned a student. Students are vetted too, to confirm their interest and that their English is at the right level — we are not an English language learning organization, so students join once they can hold a conversation.
Missionaries are trained
Missionaries are trained in how to lead classes using our curriculum, which guides their conversations with the students assigned to them.
They meet online, weekly
Once a missionary and student are approved, they agree on a time and meet online. Experienced missionaries may work with several students across both group classes and one-on-one sessions.
Student details stay confidential
Each student's family, country, spiritual status and other details are known only to their missionary. The student sees only the missionary's first name, last initial, and WhatsApp number.
Our leadership
Led by experienced ministry leaders and proven missionaries
They bring their expertise in cultural awareness, discipleship and evangelism, technological design and business operations, to form this unique ministry.
Carrie Hill
Founder & Executive Director
Carrie is a licensed ESL teacher with years of successful business experience and was the founder of Ellevation Education, a leading software platform supporting ESL teachers across the United States. Carrie has a deep heart for people around the world and has traveled extensively on mission trips, using education and relationships to share the Gospel.
Carrie and her family live in rural eastern North Carolina, staying globally connected through the power of technology.
Nelson Buchanan
Curriculum & Marketing Lead
Nelson brings a unique blend of ministry, education, entrepreneurship, and creative leadership to the team. He has studied Bible, education, and cross-cultural communication, and has spent years helping people from around the world build meaningful relationships through English conversation and gospel-centered discussions. He has a heart to see Christians equipped to live on mission and to use technology as a tool for reaching people in places where traditional ministry is difficult.
Nelson and his family live in Xenia, where they continue investing in both their local community and global ministry opportunities.
Mark Kinslow
Teacher Coordinator
Mark retired from the State of Oregon where he oversaw extensive training programs and worked to ensure trainers were prepared and supported. He is now taking that experience and combining it with his passion to see North American Christians actively participate in the Great Commission. Through Speak Truth Cafe, Christians are given the opportunity to serve as online missionaries, and Mark's heart is to see them as an integral part of our team and fully supported.
Mark and his wife, who live in Southwest Ohio within walking distance of four grandkids, are not planning to slow down anytime soon.
Hal Bredbenner
Business & Technology Advisor
Hal retired from a career in IT product development in the life sciences and healthcare marketplace. Over the years he has also provided tech support and application development for dozens of church and missions organizations. Hal has always had a desire to take the gospel to Muslims and sees Speak Truth Cafe as a unique tool for shining the Light into the darkest of places.
Hal and his wife, Vickie, and eleven grandchildren, all live in North Carolina, fortunately in different houses!
What we believe
Core beliefs
Speak Truth Cafe affirms core Protestant theological principles, sometimes referred to as the "five solas." These are reflected in the following core beliefs.
We believe that the scriptures of the Bible alone are the inspired, infallible, sufficient Word of God and the final authority for faith and practice.
We believe in one God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who is eternally existent in three persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, His death to pay the penalty for everyone's sins, His bodily resurrection, and His exaltation at God's right hand.
We believe that all have sinned and are therefore guilty before God and are under His condemnation.
We believe that sinners are justified by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone — not by human merit, religious works, rituals, or any other mediator. If we repent and trust in Jesus' death and resurrection, our sins are fully forgiven, we are declared righteous before God, and we are restored into a right relationship with Him.
We believe that forgiveness of sins and eternal life is found only through Jesus Christ.
We believe that all who by faith receive Jesus Christ are born again of the Holy Spirit, therefore children of God, and that the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer to enlighten, guide, and enable the believer in life, testimony, and service.
We believe in the resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved in Glory and the everlasting punishment of the lost in hell.
We believe that all believers are called to a holy lifestyle separated from all worldly and sinful practices and alliances.
We believe that every person is uniquely created in the image of God and formed by God, so we hold to the sanctity and dignity of all human life.
Believers in the gospel, like us at Speak Truth Cafe, live our lives in accordance with these core beliefs, and we are seeking to know more about Him through His Word while living out His mission as outlined in His commandments.
Governance
The organization behind the work
- Legal name
- Speak Truth Cafe, Inc.
- Mailing address
- P.O. Box 382, Windsor, NC 27983
- Tax status
- 501(c)(3) non-profit, determined by the IRS on March 25, 2026.
The ministry is funded entirely by donations from people and churches who share our passion for the lost. See how to give.
Come and see for yourself
Join a live Intro to Speak Truth Cafe meeting for an overview of the ministry and time to ask every question you have.