About Us
Our Mission
Calcutta Mercy is a non-profit organization on a mission to feed, educate, and medically assist the deserving of India.
Our Story
A LEGACY OF COMPASSION IN ACTION
The story of Calcutta Mercy began in 1954 when Mark and Huldah Buntain arrived in Calcutta for a one-year evangelistic mission.
What started as a short-term assignment became a lifelong commitment to the people of India. From the first school they opened in 1964 for 200 children, their efforts grew to impact over 400,000 students through a network of schools across Northeast India. Their work expanded to include feeding programs in slums and streets, a nursing school, Bible colleges, vocational training centers, and pastoring a multi-language church in Calcutta.
In 1977, they launched what began as a small clinic and became a 173-bed multi-specialty hospital—the first major medical facility connected to the Assemblies of God worldwide. Despite early resistance and funding challenges, Mark, along with key leaders, helped establish what was then called the Cry of Calcutta (later Mission of Mercy, now One Child), to support the hospital and ministry work.
Following Mark’s passing in 1989, Huldah continued leading the mission with tireless dedication until her own passing in 2021. In 2001, facing a crisis, Mission of Mercy assumed temporary hospital ownership. During this time, leaders like Jim and Bonnie Long (Mark and Huldah’s daughter and son-in-law), and Bob McGurty, provided critical spiritual and operational leadership. When Mission of Mercy stepped back, Calcutta Mercy was founded in 2005 to carry the work forward.
In 2011, Pastor Randy Valimont became President and Chairman, building support and leadership capacity. After his unexpected passing in 2019, Bob McGurty, who had served on the hospital board since 2001 and had been involved in the region since 1989, stepped into leadership.
Today, Calcutta Mercy exists to feed, educate, and medically assist the deserving of India—with dignity, compassion, and the love of Christ. With strong partners on the ground, we continue the Buntains’ legacy: offering practical help and spiritual hope to the people of India.
Our Model
Over 60 years, Calcutta Mercy has remained a leading non-profit in India.
While hundreds of charitable organizations have shut down for lack of funding, overbearing politics, or failing leadership, we have deepened our roots, expanded our projects, and helped more people.
This doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a passionate team, faithful supporters, and continuous flow of partnership. It requires intelligent national leadership, a mission worth pursuing, and measurable results.
Calcutta Mercy is going 60 years strong because we believe in what we do and refuse to stop doing it.
Our Team
BOARD
David Cawston
John James
Scott Marcum
James Marocco
Bob McGurty
Sanjay Prasad
Chad Stafford
Darryn Scheske
Tyler Sollie
James Watts
LEADERSHIP
Bob McGurty
President
Brent Galbreath
Chief Development Officer
Erin Rogers
Finance Manager
Stephanie Slater
Office Manager
Kathy Lamastra
Child Sponsorship Representative
Youtham Ibrahim
Intern
LEGACY HEROES & LEADERS
Huldah Buntain
David Burdine
Jim & Bonnie Long
Randy Valimont
Internships
We are seeking passionate and talented individuals to spearhead new and exciting projects to empower the people of India.
Note: Internships may count towards college credit or required intern hours, upon approval by your learning institution
AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY
Social Media Interns
You’ll help us grow our social outreach. Enjoy campaigns? We’ll hand you the reigns! Manage Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and more.
Graphic Design Interns
You’ll work with our creative team to build our brand and tell our story to a worldwide audience of thousands.
Storytelling Interns
You’ll dive into the lives of some of the greatest men, women, and children in India and collect their stories. May allow travel to India.