Merry Christmas from the Koppens!

Family highlights

According to the kids

Abby (8) Favorite things: mac and cheese, pickles, painting, coloring. Grandma and Grandpa, family, Jesus, turquoise. Most Looking Forward To: going to Grandma and Grandpa’s for Christmas. Favorite Subjects in School: piano and science.
Lizzy (6) Favorite Things: Family, and Jesus, candy, and trees. Most Looking Forward To: being baptized (Dec, 14), and leaving on our big trip. Favorite subject in school: Mommy read aloud.
Angie (4) Favorite things: Mommy, Grandma and Grandpa, watermelon, candy, family movie night (popcorn and root beer floats). Christmas lights, AWANA. Most Looking Forward To: Jesus coming back, birthday, Christmas.
David (3) Favorite things: Mommy, Spiderman, Daddy, Lizzy, Abby, and Angie, Batman, Superman, and ninjas. Most Looking Forward To: friends coming over.

And from us…

Jason and Sarah favorite things: serving at IBC, helping IBC students plant a church, AWANA (aka date night!!). Most Looking Forward To: 10th anniversary trip to Hawaii, two-month-long RV trip to visit supporters and family, continued growth of the school.

2014 in Review

The IBC President’s Fave 5

5. Praise God for a growing staff, as six new staff members joined the team in 2014! And special thanks for two staff that have come in the last two years who have greatly freed me up to focus on being IBC’s President: Dr. Kevin Newman from Alaska (Academic Dean) and Julie Reynolds from Australia (my Administrative Assistant). Please pray for Kevin as he leads the school in the pursuit of accreditation and for Julie’s visa issues.

4. We are thankful for God’s comfort and provision as we recover from the September suicide of a student. This horrible choice had a tremendous impact on staff and students alike but health and vitality are returning. Pray that the school can have a “fresh start” in the spring semester beginning in January.

3. Direct of Admissions (and Navajo graduate of IBC) Daniel Esplin is close to being fully supported after five years of raising support! I have been working closely with him in this. Pray that the Lord will provide new supporters in 2015 so he can reach full support.

2. What a joy to help IBC students encounter the grace and truth of Christ (John 1:14), who stepped into our world to offer us forgiveness of sins and a healed relationship with the Creator and Father God (Romans 5:9-11)! And what a thrill to see many of those students stepping in to leadership to offer the same to others. Pray that the Lord continues to bring called and gifted students to receive the discipleship and training that IBC offers.

1. I am so thankful for the dozens of staff, faculty, and borad members, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of prayer and financial partners that sacrifice so IBC students can receive the best discipleship and training possible–without debt! Thank YOU for partnering with us as the Lord leads you!