Joe Clendenny, a businessman from St. Louis, and his wife, Pat, felt called to serve God by serving people in need. A mission trip Joe took in September 2002 changed their lives forever.

Joe visited several parts of the world during that journey, but he was especially moved by what he witnessed among individuals and families affected by leprosy in Chennai, in India’s Tamil Nadu region. Many had been shunned by society—isolated, excluded, and left with nowhere to turn. Joe felt a strong conviction that these were the people God was calling him and Pat to help. Just months after returning home, Joe made a second trip to Chennai in February 2003.

In Chennai, husband-and-wife team Anil and Rose Kumar had launched a local leprosy relief and rehabilitation initiative in 2000 to support the very same communities that had touched Joe and Pat so deeply. By combining their efforts, these four individuals could become even more effective—working side-by-side toward a shared goal: restoring dignity, stability, and opportunity for those affected by leprosy. Together, they founded Embrace a Village (EAV) in 2003. EAV became a 501(c)(3) organization in 2004, allowing the work to grow and expand in a sustainable, long-term way.

Two other key members of the U.S. team are Jack Kennedy and his wife, Sandy. Jack spent several years working in India as an employee of a large agricultural company. During that time, he came to deeply appreciate the country and its people, while also recognizing the profound needs that exist—especially among children. He knew he wanted his life’s work to align more fully with the mission God was placing on his heart. After retiring, Jack chose a new path focused on service and long-term community care.

Today, Embrace a Village serves 50 plus villages—home to nearly 3,500 people—in Tamil Nadu. Anil and Rose live in India and oversee a team of more than 50 local staff members who provide consistent care, practical support, advocacy, and encouragement to individuals and families affected by leprosy. Joe and Pat continue coordinating EAV operations from the United States. Members of the U.S. team visit Tamil Nadu several times each year to strengthen relationships, support local initiatives, and encourage Anil and Rose as the work continues to grow.

Embrace a Village stands apart as an example of what God can do through a small group of people who commit to showing up—consistently, compassionately, and with a mission bigger than themselves.