Dear Friends,
As we reflect on the journey God has led us on, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for each of you who have partnered with us these past 18 years. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support have been a constant reminder that we are not serving alone. And because of your generosity, we have been able to follow God’s calling and invest in the lives of our students and staff at IBC. Thank you.
Today, we are excited to share an opportunity that we believe is the next step in that calling. This summer, I (Sarah) began graduate studies at Colorado Christian University, pursuing an online master’s degree in counseling. This will better equip me and IBC to serve the needs of our Indigenous students and their communities. This is not simply an academic pursuit – through this program, I will deepen my understanding of trauma and develop practical skills that will strengthen my ability to teach, disciple, and serve at IBC for years to come. For the past 12 years, I have been leading our Mending the Soul program. This was established to help our students address the major issues of abuse that are unfortunately so prevalent in Indigenous culture. There is currently no one on staff who has a completed degree in counseling (though some faculty come in for short bursts of time). With the overwhelming trauma that most of our students have experienced, it is vital that we make this investment in order to better meet their needs.
More than financial support, we also ask for your prayers. Please pray that God would grant wisdom as I study, perseverance through the demands of working and raising teens, all while attending graduate school, and that everything I learn would ultimately bring glory to Him and bless those we serve.
We look forward to sharing what God does through this next season. If you have any questions about the program or would like to learn more about how you can partner with us, I would love to visit with you.
With Gratitude,
Sarah and Jason Koppen
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