Our Establishment
Serving The People of Honduras
We serve the people of Honduras through dedicated teams who come alongside us to teach, build, encourage, and share their gifts in service. Our primary mission is to bring comfort to the poor with the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting physical needs in meaningful ways.
International Leadership Ministries was founded on a vision — a calling to reach, help, and serve the people of Honduras through every opportunity God provides. Our goal is to empower individuals and communities, bringing hope, care, and the transforming truth of God’s Word.
At the heart of ILM is a passion to make impact. As Rosa Parks once said, “To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.”
Through education and the teachings of God’s Word, we equip lives with purpose, hope, and the tools to rise above poverty.
Founded in 2016
International Leadership Ministries (ILM) is a nonprofit Christian organization bringing hope to children and families in Honduras. Founded in 2016, ILM focuses on leadership development, education, clean water, food programs, community projects, and sharing the transforming truth of God’s Word.
We are committed to strengthening communities throughout Honduras—building hope, deepening faith, and equipping people through education, leadership, and the truth of God’s Word. Our mission is to cultivate lasting relationships that embody the love of Christ and inspire sustainable change.
ILM strives to meet both spiritual and physical needs—offering meals, clean water, and educational support—to break cycles of poverty and bring renewed hope to future generations.
At ILM, we believe true change begins with faith in action. Together, we are building stronger communities, brighter futures, and hearts transformed by the love of Christ.
Paul Schmucker, Founder
Paul Schmucker, founder of International Leadership Ministries, began his missionary journey in 2000 with his first mission trip to the island of Curaçao, located north of South America. During that experience, he sensed a clear and powerful calling to serve in full-time international ministry. As a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute, Paul continued serving in missions throughout New York City before pursuing further education at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in 2003. Since then, he has participated in multiple mission trips across Central America, which ultimately led to his full-time ministry in Honduras. In 2014, Paul arrived in Honduras with only a few suitcases and a heart of faith—laying the foundation for what would become a life-changing journey of service and trust in God.
The story of ILM’s ministry in Yarumela began with a single encounter — a humble family living along the road at the entrance of the village. Among them was a little girl named Hope, whose life deeply moved Paul and his wife, Candy. Through that moment, God opened the door for International Leadership Ministries to begin serving the community in meaningful ways.
What started as an act of compassion soon grew into a vision — the House of Hope — a place where faith meets action and lives are changed.
Today, that same spirit continues as ILM walks by faith, serving communities across Honduras with the love of Christ.
Paul remains dedicated to working alongside mission teams, local churches, and community leaders to build relationships that inspire hope and transformation for generations to come.
Paul and Candy Marcela Schmucker serve together in Honduras, where they have witnessed God’s faithfulness and provision every step of the way. Candy holds a bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition Safety and shares Paul’s deep commitment to helping others grow in faith and purpose. Together, they continue to walk by faith, leading International Leadership Ministries with a vision to see lives transformed and hope restored across communities in Honduras.
About Honduras
Honduras is one of the poorest nations in Central America, where thousands of children and families struggle daily to meet basic needs. Many live in rural communities facing limited access to clean water, proper nutrition, education, and safe housing. With a population of over nine million, the country continues to face challenges such as poverty, limited opportunity, and high crime rates.
At International Leadership Ministries, our mission is to serve where the spiritual and physical needs are greatest. We are dedicated to reaching the most vulnerable through education, community development, and the message of hope found in Jesus Christ.
The average family income in Honduras is just a few dollars a day—yet the potential for change is great. Paul’s heart for this nation drives our vision to transform statistics into stories of faith and renewal. With the help of mission teams, partners, and supporters, we believe lasting change is possible.
Honduras Facts
The Republic of Honduras is situated in Central America. It shares borders with Nicaragua to the south, El Salvador to the south-west and Guatemala to the north-west.
Honduras has a total population of around 9 million people of which roughly 1.2 million live in Tegucigalpa, the country's capital.
More than half the people live below the national poverty line; approximately 43 per cent of them suffer conditions of extreme poverty. Malnutrition, poor housing infrastructure and infant diseases are widespread and serious problems.
Another major problem in Honduras is the phenomenon of gang violence. The "maras", violent streets gangs, often take over entire streets and barrios. They specifically attract minors, who are predominantly recruited in poor neighborhoods where young adults have nothing to lose.
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America with nearly two thirds of the nation's population living below the poverty line. It's estimated there are over 170,000 orphans in Honduras.
We also make it a priority to come alongside the Honduran nationals and work with them as they serve their own people. Our desire is to reach the Honduran people and give them hope for a future that we believe they can achieve.