Our Story
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
We are often asked, “Why did you choose El Salvador?” Truth of the matter is, we didn’t.
In 2004, the founders of Bright Hill Collective, Ann and Robert Horton, were invited to visit the smallest country in Central America to evaluate a 12-acre property and determine its suitability for building an orphanage. So, with no information about the place they were going, they said, “Why not?”
That four-day trip would change their lives forever. They met a group of about 30 children who lived in a small and rundown building, and they fell in love with those adorable kids. More than that, they saw a need greater than anything they had ever experienced in the US and knew God was calling them to work with the people of El Salvador.
Over Bright Hill Collective’s years in El Salvador, that work has taken many forms, right on that 12 acres Ann and Robert visited on their first trip. It’s where we’ve built and restored neighbors’ homes, started a scholarship program to send children to safe schools, celebrated university graduations with scholarship students. It’s where we’ve started Bible studies, a women’s work center, and our own private school, Colegio La Luz de Jesús, where each child is given a scholarship and encouraged to grow in the love and knowledge of Christ and is challenged academically.
Though we didn’t choose El Salvador, it’s become a privilege to serve its people. We’re humbled to live out God’s plans and share His love in this beautiful country.
Our Texas Team

Sara Horton
Director of Development
Sara Horton
Director of Development
Susan Lee
Administrative DirectorSusan Lee has served as our Administrative Director since 2015. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, she worked for the University for 25 years before retiring to work for Bright Hill Collective. Since 1990, she has been an active member of Central Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas, serving as the class coordinator for the Women of Faith Life Group for over 25 years. Her son and his family serve as missionaries in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Susan Lee
Administrative Director
Jane Haywood
Outreach and Engagement CoordinatorJane joined the BHC staff in 2026 as Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, but her heart for the ministry in El Salvador began with her very first visit in 2011. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1988, she moved from Bryan to Miami, Florida, to become involved in ministry there. She and her husband Dale returned to the Bryan area in the summer of 2025, and Jane jumped into volunteering with BHC almost immediately. Now in her new role, she’s excited to help connect sponsors with the students whose lives they are helping shape. A trip to El Salvador this past July was especially encouraging as she saw firsthand how God is working through the school and ministry there.

Jane Haywood
Outreach and Engagement CoordinatorBoard of Directors

Robert Horton
Cofounder & PresidentA cofounder of SHIP, Robert Horton has been a volunteer and ardent supporter of SHIP since 2004. Robert is a home builder in Bryan, Texas, and has been married for 46 years to his wife, Ann. Robert and Ann have been to El Salvador over 60 times since 2004, working with the orphanage. They are members of Central Baptist Church in Bryan.

Robert Horton
Cofounder & President
John Lawrence
Vice PresidentJohn Lawrence began volunteering with the SHIP ministry in 2008 and joined SHIP’s Board in 2011. John has a background in small business design, product development, production, marketing, sales, and service. He and his wife, Trisha, have been married 33 years and have one daughter. John enjoys gardening, building, reading, and studying God’s Word.

John Lawrence
Vice President
Ann Horton
Cofounder & International Service Director
Ann Horton
Cofounder & International Service Director
Janise Crumpler

Janise Crumpler

Laura Fernandez

Laura Fernandez

Terry Hoelscher
Terry made his first trip to El Salvador in 2015 and joined the Board of Directors in 2024. He is a retired general contractor and helps plan construction projects for Bright Hill. He attends Grace Bible Church in College Station. He and his wife, Dean, have been married for 43 years and help lead marriage ministry at Grace. Terry and Dean are also CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and enjoy serving children in the Brazos Valley.

Terry Hoelscher

Leon Moore

Leon Moore

Tim Skaggs

Tim Skaggs
El Salvador Team

Yenifer & Edwin Escudero
MissionariesYenifer:
I came to Bright Hill with a desire to serve God and use my gifts and talents to serve others. I am Panamanian, and along with my husband and children, we live in El Salvador, where we serve as a missionary family. I am passionate about teaching and sharing God’s love with new generations. At Bright Hill, I collaborate in the educational and ministry areas, serving children, youth, and adults. I enjoy nature and spending time with my family. I believe that God can use our lives to transform and bless others.
Llegué a Bright Hill con el deseo de servir a Dios y poner mis dones y talentos al servicio de los demás. Soy panameña y, junto a mi esposo e hijos, vivimos en El Salvador, donde servimos como familia misionera. Me apasiona enseñar y compartir el amor de Dios con las nuevas generaciones. En Bright Hill colaboro en las áreas educativa y ministerial, sirviendo a niños, jóvenes y adultos. Disfruto la naturaleza y compartir tiempo con mi familia. Creo que Dios puede usar nuestras vidas para transformar y bendecir a otros.
Edwin:
I was born in Panama, and from a young age, God placed in my heart the desire to serve Him. I studied Theology with a pastoral emphasis and have had the privilege of serving as a missionary and pastor. I am married to Yenifer, and we are the parents of Iván and Matías. What brought me to Bright Hill Collective was the desire to serve God by sharing the gospel and making disciples. I currently serve as Bright Hill Collective’s missionary pastor and as the school chaplain. I am passionate about teaching the Word of God, serving others, reading, and playing soccer.
Nací en Panamá y desde joven Dios puso en mi corazón el deseo de servirle. Estudié Licenciatura en Teología con énfasis pastoral y he tenido el privilegio de servir como misionero y pastor. Estoy casado con Yenifer y somos padres de Iván y Matías. Lo que me trajo a Bright Hill Collective fue el deseo de servir a Dios compartiendo el evangelio y haciendo discípulos. Actualmente sirvo como pastor misionero capellán del colegio. Me apasiona enseñar la Palabra de Dios, servir al projino, leer y jugar fútbol.

Yenifer & Edwin Escudero
Missionaries
Kevin Castro
Administrator
Kevin Castro
AdministratorSalvadoran School Staff

Yamileth Perez
Principal & Director of Tutoring & Computer LabI joined Bright Hill Collective in 2019. God brought me here to transform my life and teach me the true value of serving others. Throughout these years, I have learned so much and had the privilege of meeting wonderful people from different countries who have served alongside us with God’s love. One of the greatest joys of my work is seeing the academic and spiritual growth of our children and their families. Being a school director has not always been easy, but God continues to give me the strength and faith to keep moving forward. It a great privilege to serve in the ministry of BHC and to be part of what God is doing in my country.
Llegué a BHC en 2019, Dios en su misericordia me trajo a BHC para transformar mi vida y enseñarme el valor de servir a los demás. Durante estos años, he aprendido mucho y he conocido muchas personas maravillosas que nos han visitado desde otros países y sirven con el amor de Dios. Una de las cosas que más ver el crecimiento académico y espiritual de cada uno de nuestros niños y sus familias. Ser directora no siempre ha sido fácil, pero Dios continúa dándome fuerzas y fe para seguir adelante. Es un gran privilegio servir en el ministerio de BHC y ser parte de lo que Dios está haciendo en mi país.

Yamileth Perez
Principal & Director of Tutoring & Computer Lab
Marlon Guerra
P.E. TeacherI joined Bright Hill Collective with a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people through education. Throughout my journey, I have discovered that teaching is not only about sharing knowledge, but also about learning, inspiring others, and growing together. This experience has helped me strengthen my professional skills, take on new challenges, and understand the value of serving others with dedication. I also have the privilege of serving in youth Bible studies, where we share our faith and grow together in the Lord. I consider myself a committed and cheerful person who is always willing to keep learning.
Llegué a Bright Hill Collective motivado por el deseo de contribuir positivamente a la vida de niños y jóvenes a través de la educación. Durante mi trayectoria he descubierto que enseñar no solamente consiste en transmitir conocimientos, sino también en aprender, inspirar y crecer junto a los demás. Esta experiencia me ha permitido fortalecer mis habilidades profesionales, asumir nuevos desafíos y comprender el valor de servir con dedicación. Además, tengo el privilegio de servir en los estudios bíblicos de jóvenes, compartiendo y creciendo juntos en la fe. Me considero una persona comprometida, alegre y dispuesta a seguir aprendiendo.

Marlon Guerra
P.E. Teacher
Ena de Lopez
Kinder-4I am happy to have been part of this school since the very beginning. I have seen how God has helped this beautiful ministry grow. I have had the privilege of teaching six generations of students at the school and sharing God’s Word with them. I have learned that teaching is also a way to serve and reflect Jesus. I love God and people. My greatest desire is to continue being an instrument in God’s hands as I help fulfill the Great Commission. I thank God for allowing me to be part of this family and to live out this beautiful purpose at Bright Hill Collective.
Me alegra formar parte de esta escuela desde sus inicios. He visto como Dios ha hecho crecer este hermoso ministerio. He tenido el privilegio de enseñar a seis generaciones en la Escuela y compartir la palabra de Dios. He aprendido que enseñar también es una forma de servir y reflejar a Jesús. Amo a Dios y a las personas. Mi mayor deseo es seguir siendo un instrumento en las manos de Dios, llevando la Gran Comisión. Agradezco a Dios por permitirme ser parte de esta familia y vivir este hermoso propósito en Bright Hill Collective.

Ena de Lopez
Kinder-4
Valeria Bautista
Kinder-5I came to Bright Hill Collective looking for a job, without imagining the purpose God had for my life in this place. Here, I have learned to see my profession as more than teaching and sharing knowledge. I have discovered that it is also an opportunity to serve God through my calling, to love and understand children, and to look beyond what each child expresses. My students have been an important part of my professional and spiritual growth, teaching me to grow in love and faith. Today, I understand that my work is not just a way to earn a living, but also a way to serve the Lord. One thing that is especially meaningful to me is that I have not only taught my students, but they have also taught me valuable lessons.
Llegué a Bright Hill Collective con el propósito de trabajar, sin imaginar el propósito que Dios tenía para mi vida en este lugar. Aquí he aprendido a ver mi profesión más allá de enseñar y transmitir conocimientos; he descubierto que también es una oportunidad para servir a Dios a través de mi vocación, amar, comprender y mirar más allá de lo que cada niño expresa. Mis estudiantes han sido parte de mi crecimiento profesional y espiritual, enseñándome a crecer en amor y fe. Hoy comprendo que mi trabajo no es solamente una remuneración económica, sino también una forma de servir al Señor. Algo muy especial: no solamente he dejado enseñanzas en mis estudiantes, ellos también han dejado enseñanzas en mi vida.

Valeria Bautista
Kinder-5
Rebeca Guzman
Kinder-6God guides us and allows us to reach places and people for a special purpose. Coming to Bright Hill Collective was an answered prayer, according to His perfect plan. God has allowed me to grow both spiritually and professionally. Now, I have the opportunity to teach older children, and I have also become an English teacher, something that once felt like a challenge to me. I love God, I love children, and I believe that a smile can make a big difference. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve at Bright Hill Collective.
Dios nos guía y permite llegar a lugares y personas con un propósito especial y llegar a Bright Hill Collective fue una oración contestada bajo sus planes perfectos. Dios me ha permitido crecer espiritual y profesionalmente, ahora sirvo enseñando a niños grandes y he tenido la oportunidad de ser Inglish Teacher, lo cual antes era un reto para mí. Amo a Dios, amo a los niños y creo que una sonrisa puede hacer una gran diferencia. Estoy agradecida con Dios de poder servir en Bright Hill Collective.

Rebeca Guzman
Kinder-6
Krissia Coto
1st GradeI came to Bright Hill Collective while praying for a better job opportunity. I turned down several offers, trusting that God would lead me somewhere better, and He answered my prayers. My faith has grown deeply. I have learned to depend on the Lord, experience His true love, forgive, love Christ, and serve Him wholeheartedly. A fun fact about me is that I often laugh at myself! I am passionate about languages. I am currently studying French, and my goal is to master five or more languages. I have also recently started taking a sign language course.
Llegue a Bright Hill Collective buscando una mejor oportunidad laboral en oración. Rechacé varias ofertas confiando en que Dios me llevaría a un lugar superior, y Él respondió. He crecido profundamente en mi fe: aprendí a depender del Señor, a experimentar Su verdadero amor, perdonar, amar a Cristo y servir de corazón. como dato divertido, suelo reírme mucho de mí misma! Me apasionan los idiomas; actualmente estudio francés y mi meta es dominar cinco o más. Además, recientemente comencé un curso de lenguaje de señas.

Krissia Coto
1st Grade
Gaby Coto
2nd GradeBright Hill Collective has been an answered prayer for me. Before graduating from university, I asked the Lord to help me finish my studies with a job waiting for me. The day before my graduation, I received a call telling me that I would be joining the team. Since then, I have continued working in education, gaining experience, developing new skills, and growing both personally and professionally.
Bright Hill ha sido una oración contestada ya que antes de graduarme de la universidad, yo le pedía al Señor salir con trabajo y justo un día antes de mi graduación me llamaron para decirme que formaría parte del equipo. Ha estado enfocada en el área educativa, donde he adquirido experiencia, desarrollado nuevas habilidades y crecido tanto personal como profesionalmente.

Gaby Coto
2nd Grade
Bessy de Martínez
3rd GradeI was drawn to the opportunity to be part of a school where education goes hand in hand with Christian values. I especially liked how these values are put into practice because I believe education is not only about sharing knowledge, but also about shaping hearts, strengthening faith, and teaching children to live with love and respect. Over the years, I have grown as a teacher and discovered that my profession is also a calling from God. Bright Hill has allowed me to grow professionally and, above all, given me the opportunity to serve families by reflecting God’s love through teaching. I am a wife and a mother of two little ones, who are a great motivation in my life.
Me motivó la oportunidad de formar parte de una institución donde la educación va de la mano con los principios cristianos. Me gustó mucho que se trabajen de cerca estos valores, porque creo que educar no solo consiste en transmitir conocimientos, sino también en formar corazones, fortalecer la fe y enseñar a vivir con amor y respeto. Durante estos años he crecido como docente, descubriendo que mi profesión es también un llamado de Dios. Bright Hill me ha permitido crecer profesionalmente y, sobre todo, tener la oportunidad de servir a las familias reflejando el amor de Dios a través de la enseñanza. Soy esposa y mamá de dos pequeños, quienes son una gran motivación en mi vida.

Bessy de Martínez
3rd Grade
Franklin Villalobos
4th GradeI joined Bright Hill Collective in 2025, when I was given the opportunity to teach. Since then, my desire to make a meaningful impact on education has continued to grow. My professional journey is built on continuous learning as I strive to become a better educator and contribute to the community. Spiritually, I have grown by understanding that service, empathy, and a sense of calling are essential when supporting others. I also have the privilege of teaching Bible studies to young people. I find purpose in bringing my faith into my daily work, which motivates me to keep learning so I can serve others better.
Llegué a Bright Hill Collective gracias a la oportunidad de impartir clases en 2025; desde entonces, mis ganas de generar un impacto significativo en la educación crecen cada día. Mi trayectoria se fundamenta en un constante aprendizaje profesional para mejorar como educador y aportar valor a la comunidad. En lo espiritual, he crecido entendiendo que el servicio, la empatía y la vocación son la base para acompañar a los demás, tengo el privilegio de ser maestro de estudio bíblico de jovenes. Encuentro propósito al alinear mi fe con mi labor diaria, lo que me motiva a aprender continuamente para servir mejor.

Franklin Villalobos
4th Grade
Doris Martinez
5th GradeWithout a doubt, God was the one who brought me to Bright Hill. I came with a desire to serve Him and plant His Word in the hearts of those who do not yet know Him. My journey at Bright Hill began in November 2021, when I started preparing to become fully involved in 2022. Since then, God has allowed me to continue serving at this school and supporting the academic and personal growth of different groups of students. Throughout these years, Bright Hill has given me valuable opportunities to grow. I love my profession, and I love teaching.
Sin duda, Dios fue quien me trajo a Bright Hill. Llegué con el deseo de servirle y de sembrar su Palabra en los corazones de aquellos que aún no le conocen. Mi historia en Bright Hill comenzó en noviembre de 2021, cuando inicié los preparativos para integrarme de lleno en el año 2022. Desde entonces, Dios me ha permitido continuar sirviendo en esta institución y acompañar el crecimiento académico y personal de diferentes grupos de estudiantes. A lo largo de estos años, Bright Hill me ha brindado valiosas oportunidades para crecer. Me encanta mi profesión y amo enseñar.

Doris Martinez
5th Grade
Melanie Dominguez
6th GradeI learned about Bright Hill Collective through people close to me and my church. I was inspired by the projects they carry out with children and, above all, their commitment to sharing God’s love. That is how I decided to join the team, and I found an answer to my prayers. This year has been an experience of personal and professional growth. Teaching has been a challenge that has allowed me to learn and grow through every experience. Most importantly, spending time with my students, listening to them, and telling them about God’s love has been one of the most meaningful parts of this journey.
Conocí Bright Hill Collective a través de personas cercanas y mi iglesia. Me motivó conocer los proyectos que realizan con los niños y, sobre todo, el compromiso de compartir el amor de Dios. Fue así como decidí formar parte del equipo y encontré una respuesta a mis oraciones. Este año ha sido una experiencia de crecimiento personal y profesional. Ser docente ha representado un reto que me ha permitido aprender y crecer en cada experiencia. Pero, especialmente, compartir con los estudiantes, escucharlos y hablarles del amor de Dios ha sido una de las partes más significativas de este camino.

Melanie Dominguez
6th Grade
Carolina Argueta
English TeacherI joined Bright Hill Collective because I was inspired by its positive impact and its commitment to serving the community through faith. Professionally, my journey has been one of continuous learning and growth. I have developed my skills by taking on new challenges, adapting to different situations, and enjoying teamwork. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy photographing nature and cooking in my free time. I am very happy to continue working and growing alongside the Bright Hill Collective team as part of this wonderful project!
Me uní a Bright Hill Collective motivada por su impacto positivo y el compromiso espiritual con la comunidad. En el ámbito profesional, mi trayectoria ha sido un camino de constante aprendizaje y evolución; he crecido al asumir nuevos retos con adaptabilidad, perfeccionando mis habilidades y disfrutando del trabajo en equipo. Un dato curioso sobre mí es que me gusta fotografiar la naturaleza y en mis tiempos libres, y me gusta cocinar. ¡Estoy muy feliz de seguir colaborando y creciendo junto al equipo Bright Hill Collective en este gran proyecto!

