Our Story
Our love for Jesus fuels us and our mission
Founded in 2005 by Jim and Pat Harris, Relevant Expeditions was born out of a strong faith and deep desire to change the world. In 2004, a tsunami hit the Indian Ocean, opening the door for us to take our work to Southeast Asia.
From rebuilding homes to restoring fishing boats, we worked with locals and established long-term friendships. These friendships are still alive today and have allowed us to make a greater difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands over the past few decades.
With passionate teams across Asia, we continue to expand our work with the needy. Though our efforts are humanitarian relief, our vision is eternal—providing a greater sense of freedom and understanding of who God is.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Our mission is to evangelize villages through building relationships, delivering humanitarian relief, and mentoring indigenous missionaries to reach their own people.
Our Vision
Our vision is eternal – connecting with the people of Asia, bringing them a sense of freedom and a greater understanding of who God is.
Our Work
We operate in more than a dozen countries throughout the continent of Asia and serve families by meeting their practical and spiritual needs.
Our Core Values
These beliefs are the foundation of our ministry
Jesus is at the center of all we do.
God is big and the supplier of all our needs.
God loves people—and so do we.
God’s kingdom is being established across the nations.
We are called to show compassion to a world in need.
Faith in action happens by going or giving.
Our message is good news.
Peace, justice, and freedom are God’s gift to all.
God is love.
Our Ministry Model
As an organization, we put our minds, hearts, and faith together to make a significant difference in the lives of others. For us, God is love – and we bring that love to every person we meet.
We don’t believe in forcing Jesus on anyone, but we are always eager to share the Gospel.
We wouldn’t be able to change lives without the generous support of our friends and donors. Churches, organizations, and individuals across the globe have helped us further our mission and expand into something greater than we once imagined.
As we reflect, we can’t help but feel immense gratitude for the lives we’ve impacted and the Gospel we’ve shared. We cannot wait to include you in the next chapter of our story!
Meet Our Team
Jim Harris
Founder
Pat Harris
Founder
Meet Sorn
“We will never forget one very shy little girl, Sorn Malaka, who had come to live in our main children’s home in Cambodia shortly before my arrival on a trip 3 years ago. When we first met her, we saw how she was withdrawn and more than shy.
We later learned about her life before coming to our home, and began to understand that her 6 years of life had been horrific. Her life had been very difficult. Her father left her mother when the mother became pregnant with Sorn Malaka. The mother had no way to support 5 kids on her own, and now a new baby was on the way.
The mother did what she could to care for the family by begging for money and food and taking simple labor jobs for $2 a day. The whole family lived on the streets, and eventually, the mother lost her mind being overwhelmed with the impossible job of caring for her children.
When we gave Sorn Malaka a package of gifts, it was as if she was holding them for someone else to take from her. She did not understand the gifts were for her. Later we were told that she had never received a gift before.
We asked the translator to tell her that she was safe now and these gifts were hers. A smile came over her face for the first time in weeks, and she seemed to understand that she was safe and cared for and nothing was required from her.
We later shared with her and all of the kids that these gifts were sent to them from God, who knew their need and that He spoke to our partners to give the funds because of His great love for them.
Since that day 3 years ago, we have found that Sorn Malaka is extremely smart and funny. We want you to know that you have made a life-changing difference in her life.
In 13 years, we have had this kind of life-changing impact on over three hundred kids that have lived in our homes. Homes where they get to eat 3 nice meals daily, have clothes, are safe, protected, educated, and get to know about Jesus daily.
Her story is only one of many. You have made a world of difference in her life. Had our home not been available for her, the odds of her even surviving would have been very low, and the odds of her being placed in a brothel would have been very high.
But now, with the help of our friends and partners, she has great hope and a future. Thank you so much for investing in her life and hundreds of others.
Her story and many others touch my heart to think of her and the many children we have provided for and helped to survive, thrive, and have a purpose and a destiny in Jesus.”
Jim and Pat Harris, Founders of Relevant Expeditions
