Filter of Hope: Bringing Clean Water and Christ’s Love to Those in Need

By Laura McKillop Wood

In a small village in the Dominican Republic, Juan and his wife lovingly cared for their children. For years, though, his family struggled with the debilitating effects of drinking contaminated water. His children often fell ill with waterborne diseases, their small bodies fighting fevers and sickness that no remedies cured. The water they relied on was murky, unsafe, and life-threatening, but it was all they had. Juan, like many parents in his village, watched helplessly as his children’s health deteriorated, unsure of what he could do to protect them. One day, a team from Filter of Hope arrived. They brought with them a simple, life-saving gift: a water filter. The team set it up, showing Juan how it worked. He watched as the dirty water turned crystal clear. For the first time, Juan could offer his children the promise of better health.  

Founded in 2012, Filter of Hope has made it their mission to provide clean, safe drinking water to families living in poverty around the world, while also sharing the message of Christ’s love. Through affordable water filters, the organization is tackling the global water crisis one family at a time. 

The Beginning 

In the early 2000s, Bart Smelley and his family were reeling. He had spent his life chasing success as an entrepreneur and had amassed quite a bit of wealth. Despite financial security, he felt restless and unfulfilled. Then the unthinkable happened. Bart lost several million dollars when he became victim to a major wealth management fraud. This opened the door for Bart to begin asking God about his real purpose in life. By 2012, Bart had founded Filter of Hope to help meet practical needs of people in developing countries while also opening the door to sharing the gospel. What began small, sending water filters to the Dominican Republic, now has reached people in 80 countries around the world. Filter of Hope has distributed over 191,000 filters and brought clean drinking water to over 1.3 million people! Not only that, but over 28,000 people have received Christ because of the important work of Filter of Hope and their partners. Many of these are people belonging to unreached people groups, who did not have access to the gospel before Filter of Hope reached out to them. 

The Work 

The global water crisis continues to affect millions, and families in developing nations still must rely on contaminated water sources. Waterborne illnesses are a significant problem, claiming the lives of children and adults alike. To combat this, Filter of Hope’s water filters can provide families with 250 gallons of clean water daily for up to 10 years. These filters are provided in compact, easily transported kits that fit into a quart-sized bag. The filters use the same technology used in kidney dialysis. Each one is packed with tiny, hollow, perforated tubes, just 0.1 micron in diameter. Dirty water enters the filter, passes through the tubes, and exits as clean water. Harmful microorganisms are too large to pass through the holes and remain in the filter. For example, E. Coli is one of the smallest and most deadly bacteria, and it is 0.3 microns in diameter, making it three times the size of the pores in the filters. After using the filter, the users can clean the filter to maintain it. Contaminants are removed with routine back flushing, allowing the filter to be reused. In addition to being simple to use and highly effective, the filter uses gravity to complete its job, so it can be used in places without electricity and makes no impact on the environment. Installation is easy and takes about 15 minutes. At just $50 per filter kit, the organization makes this life-saving resource affordable for donors, while enabling the distribution of filters to those who need them most.  

Beyond providing water, Filter of Hope is dedicated to sharing the love of Christ. Filter of Hope partners with churches in the United States, and those churches provide the funds to pay for the filters. They are then distributed by Christians in the country where they are needed and by short-term missionaries who travel to the countries to deliver the filters. This allows people to touch one another’s lives and build relationships with Christians who can then show them God’s love. In-country partners are essential to their work. By collaborating with local organizations, churches, and mission teams, Filter of Hope maximizes its impact and ensures its work is culturally sensitive and effective. This partnership model allows the organization to scale its operations and reach more people in need. 

 Filter of Hope’s holistic approach addresses both the immediate need for clean water and the long-term need for spiritual fulfillment. They view their work not only as a humanitarian effort, but also as a ministry that brings both practical and spiritual healing. Their Community of Hope program also allows supporters to engage in ongoing fundraising efforts, ensuring a steady flow of resources to sustain the work being done. These programs make it possible for people to stay connected to the mission and contribute in meaningful ways, even after returning home from a short-term trip to deliver filters. 

Faith and Action Combined 

Filter of Hope exemplifies what it means to combine faith with action. By addressing the critical need for clean water, the organization not only improves the physical well-being of communities but also brings hope and the love of Christ to those in need. With a mission focused on compassion, partnership, and global impact, they are making a lasting difference in the fight against the global water crisis and spreading the good news. 

Filter of Hope offers a variety of ways to contribute, from donating funds to joining mission trips or starting local fundraising initiatives. By supporting their work, individuals become part of a global movement that is transforming lives one drop of water at a time. 

For more information, visit: filterofhope.org.