Who We Are

The purpose of God’s Appalachian Partnership, Inc.(GAP) is to meet the spiritual and physical needs of people in Appalachia by:

  1. Meeting the person on the level of spiritual need so that they will grow into the person God created them to be and share that with others.

  2. Meeting the physical needs through food, clothing housing and other areas essential to wellness in an effort to promote personal responsibility.

  3. Meeting the personal development need through special training which enhances their economic potential of the individual and the community as a whole.

Meet The Staff

John & Shaughanessy Morris
Executive Director & Graphic Designer

John became GAP’s second Executive Director in 2014 after a short tenor as interim. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Missiology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to joining GAP, John served as a pastor for 16 years. John and Shaughanessy have been North American Mission Board missionaries since 2001. Shaughanessy serves as GAP’s graphic designer overseeing all aspects of GAP’s media. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from Eastern Kentucky University. They have two children, Jacob and Jhaughanessy.

Tanya Parker
Missions and Ministry Missionary Associate

Tanya is a North American Board and MSC Missionary serving at God’s Appalachian Partnership since fall of 2019.  Tanya has been married to Joe Parker for 26 years. They are blessed with three daughters and two granddaughters. In addition to spending time with her family, Tanya enjoys teaching a local Women’s Bible study and quilting

Joyce Morris
Volunteer and Kentucky Baptist MSC Missionary

Joyce is a part-time volunteer staff who has served at GAP since 2019.  She is a Kentucky Baptist MSC Missionary and works mainly with distribution, women’s ministry, and sewing ministry. Joyce is a retired nurse who has a passion for helping people and sharing Christ. She lives in Hazard, KY and has two sons and their wives plus 4 wonderful grandchildren.