Bethania Kids North America

ronaldkoepke@gmail.com

• Ronald Koepke
• Lake Forest, IL
• Board member since 2022
• Kodaikanal International School
• Valparaiso University; BS
• Saint Louis University; MD
• Tulane University School of Medicine; residency, fellowship and faculty member

I grew up in South India, where my parents were Lutheran missionaries in Kerala State for 26 years. I came to the United States to attend Valparaiso University and medical school. After serving on the faculty of Tulane University for several years, I practiced cardiology in northern Louisiana for 35 years. After retirement, my wife, Marilyn, and I moved to Illinois to be closer to our two daughters, son, and our eight grandchildren.

During my time in Kodaikanal, I knew several of the families and individuals who were instrumental in founding and now administering the Bethania Foundation. Larry Zimmerman, a classmate at Valpo, recruited me for the Bethania Kids Board of Directors. I feel privileged to participate in this vital Christian ministry in India.

mark@bethaniakids.org

• Estes Park, CO
• Board member since: 2018
• Background:
  • Educated in business and information systems
  • 30+ years experience in the consulting and software industries

I reside in Estes Park, CO, with my wife, Karen. Our son, David, is a senior at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I have worked in the IT consulting and software industry for many years and am currently working for a small software company that has an office in Hyderabad, India. I have had the opportunity to travel to India for work many times and have seen firsthand the needs of Indian children. Karen and I were introduced to Bethania Kids by friends at our church, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal. I recently had the opportunity to visit Bethania Kids Angel Home in Rajahmundry and was inspired to see God’s love at work in the lives of these boys.

kristoff@bethaniakids.org

• Minneapolis, MN
• Treasurer
• Board member since: 2018
• Background:
  • St. Olaf – B.A.
  • Fellow of the Society of Actuaries

I reside in Minneapolis with my wife, Katie, our young son, Bodie, and our new daughter, Jorie. As an actuary, I consult with corporations on the management of their retirement plans. I was introduced to Bethania Kids through the Hennig family and have been a supporter of the organization for several years. I continue to be amazed by the life-altering experiences Bethania Kids is providing to God’s children in India.

carolhart@bethaniakids.org

Ann Arbor, MI

Board Member 2016-2017; June 2021-present

• Background:

*B.S. Northwestern University

*M.A. University of Michigan

*M.A. TESOL Cornerstone University

*Co-Owner, CFO, MOVE Communications Inc. (family business)

With my husband, Don, I enjoy wonderful times with our family of 5 grown children, four of whom are married with children! We have loved raising a family and want to see children everywhere thrive and grow in the light of God’s love in Christ.

Our good friend David Granner first introduced us to Bethania Kids back in the 90s. In 2004 Don and our son James went to India with David to film the first Bethania Kids video, Seeds on the Wind. Drawn by the powerful presence of Jesus amidst the beautiful children and their truly remarkable caregivers, we soon became child sponsors and members of the Board of Advisors. In 2012, David invited me to create an ESL program to help visitors connect in meaningful ways with the children; the following year, he, his daughter, Josie, and I traveled to India to pilot the program. I have since been involved in several capacities, and I have received so much more than I’ve been able to give. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” God’s kingdom truly comes to us through the bright smiles and warm hugs of his precious Bethania Kids.

kristin@bethaniakids.org

• Winchester, VA
• Secretary
• Board member since: 2018

I am a gynecologist in Winchester, VA. I first discovered Bethania Kids through my church, Bethel Lutheran Church in Winchester. Bethel Lutheran is very active in the Bethania Kids ministry.  My oldest son, Gus, and I were fortunate enough to travel to India with a group from the church in 2014. The trip was transformative, and I have been passionate about this mission ever since. I am excited to see where God leads me in this ministry.

ddoermann@bethaniakids.org

• Buffalo, NY and Ellicott City, MD
• Board member since: 2018
• Background:
  • BS Math and Computer Science – Bloomsburg University of PA
  • MS, PhD – University of Maryland, College Park, MD
  • Currently a College Professor-Computer Science and Engineering, University of Buffalo

My wife, Carol, of 30 years have three twenty-something daughters. Our extended family is in Maryland. My father grew up in India as the son of life-long Lutheran misssionaries. He went to school at the Kodai missionary school and knew the Bethania Kids founding families. I was introduced to Bethania Kids by Larry Zimmerman at The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, MD. With the many changes in my life, (empty nester, career change, father-in-law…) I was happy to be given the opportunity to help expand the mission of Bethania Kids. We have supported the educational roles as both by wife and I are educators. I hope our service will lead to a small fraction of the opportunities we have been given, for those in India.

gwen@bethaniakids.org

• Silver Spring, MD
• Board member since: 2021
• Background:
  • University of Maryland, BSN

I was born in Pisa, Italy, where my father was stationed as a young naval officer. I spent most of my youth and teenage years in Central and South America. I graduated from high school in Montevideo, Uruguay, and at 16 left my family to attend the University of Maryland nursing school. I met my husband there. My career has focused on maternal child health and health prevention efforts in vulnerable and underserved communities. We have been blessed with two daughters, a son-in-law and two amazing grandsons. I have been a nurse for 42 years and focused on research for 22 years. I draw strength and hope from our Christian faith and from sharing our blessings with others.

wendy@bethaniakids.org

• Winchester, VA
• Background:
  • Graduate of Kodaikanal International School, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India
  • BMus – Wittenberg University – Organ and Church Music
  • MChMus – Shenandoah University, Church Music
  • Music Director, Grace Episcopal Church, Berryville, VA
  • Conductor of the Piedmont Singers, musical outreach ministry
  • Member of Winchester Musica Viva Chamber Choir
  • Former high school music teacher

I spent my high school years at Kodaikanal International School, where I knew all the founding families of Bethania Kids. Gene Henning, Bob Hennig, and Joel Dhanapal (sons of BK founders) were all friends of mine in school. Bob Granner, another founder, was my English and organ teacher. The ministry they and their families have built and shared with others serves God’s children in ways they could not have imagined when it began in 1987. It is a privilege for me to serve God through Bethania Kids. The work done by countless friends and donors makes an enormous difference in the lives of children, strengthening them so they can truly change their world through Jesus’ love.

lisa@bethaniakids.org

My husband and I were first introduced to Bethania Kids by my husband’s carpool buddy and former board member, Ravi Srinivasan. We were impressed by the organization’s life-changing impact on disadvantaged children and women in India. I’m delighted to be a more integral part of Bethania Kids now as a staff member.

toni@bethaniakids.org

My name is Toni O’Connor. I am the Administrative Assistant. As a retired school teacher of 40 years, I am thrilled to be working with the Bethania Kids Board of Directors and staff in this life-changing foundation.