Duane Crumb

Duane Crumb was born in New York State and has lived in California, Texas, Ohio, and now in Florida. Prior to being a missionary, he worked in banking. From there he served in church administration, as a press secretary to a US congressman, in sales, and in various ministries. 

In 1985 when serving in government, his congressman assigned him the responsibility of becoming an expert on the then very new issue of HIV/AIDS so that the congressman would have a reliable information for writing and evaluating related legislation. This led Duane to examine HIV disease and related issues from every angle using his access to all of the information and resources of United States government. And he has spent the rest of his life studying and teaching about the disease ever since.

In 1987, Duane left the Congressman’s office, co-founded the American Institute for Teen AIDS Prevention, and became its executive director. There he developed and distributed HIV education materials primarily targeting the public schools of the United States. Soon the schools were inviting him to address their students. He presented motivational HIV prevention assembly programs in middle and high schools and other settings in 38 states and many other countries, addressing more than 800,000 students.    

In 2005, the organization’s focus changed from young people in North America to empowering people to become HIV educators internationally. This led to changing the name to HIVHope International to reflect the new scope and the focus of the ministry. After being part of two other agencies, Duane took the CHE training (LINK: Community Health Evangelism course page) through which he became aware of Equip.  When God made it clear that it was time to change agencies, he joined Equip.

Though he did not initially want to be involved in HIV-related issues, he can now not imagine doing anything else. God has had him travel to 23 countries on four continents with His message of hope, empowering believers to motivate people in their cultures to make choices that will slow the spread of the virus, replace stigma, and bring the gospel to those living with HIV.  

So far, Duane has facilitated 76 HIV Educator Seminars. Seminar participants develop creative new ways to present a biblically-based HIV education. Duane has served in vocational ministry for most of his adult life in the local church (currently serving as the chair of the Deacon Body of McGregor Baptist Church) , doing evangelism, and as a missionary. Duane and his wife, Kathy, live in Fort Myers, Florida, and have five children and nine grandchildren. 

Learn more about HIVHope by visiting www.hivhope.net.