The North American entity is entitled Bethania Foundation but is referred to as Bethania Kids. It was incorporated in Minnesota because Gene Hennig (of the founding family) lived and worked as an attorney in that state. Currently we have staff members working in Winchester, Virginia, and Ann Arbor, MI and Laurel, MT. Bethania Kids is a registered 501(c)3 organization and member of the ECFA (Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability). The primary function of the North America Board is to raise funds to financially support the ministry through residential homes, care centers, women’s programs and special needs schools. In addition, we liaise with our colleagues in India on strategy and plans, capital projects, financial needs and status of the ministry. Through trips to India, which are purpose-driven, we support, encourage, care and pray for staff, children and the operation of our ministries in India. The North American Board officers include the Chair, President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President. At the staff level, the Director of Development is in charge of fund-raising and establishing and maintaining relationships with donors. Other staff manage donations, publications, notes of thanks, website, database of donor records, payroll and accounting. The position of Chair serves as the liaison between the BOD and BOT.
Board of Directors
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- Roseville, MN
- Board member since: 2020
- Background:
- Kodaikanal International School
- B.A. Valparaiso University
- MMA Metropolitan State University
- DPA Hamline University
Being born and raised only miles from the site of several Bethania locations, I am familiar with the geography, the climate, and the challenges encountered by the poor families and children of this part of India. Many missionaries from the Zorn family served in India in the 19th and 20th centuries. The opportunity to serve on the Bethania board allows me to pursue the same mission that my ancestors began.
I learned of Bethania from Gene Hennig. We would meet occasionally for lunch and I would hear about the progress of the various projects. It was always and honor to receive a beautiful handwritten “thank you for your contribution: note from Polly Hennig, gene’s mother, early in the history of Bethania. Mrs. Hennig was my teacher for grades one to three. I always look forward to the newsletters to hear of new developments.- Waterloo, Ontario Canada
- Board member since: 2015
- Background:
- BSc, MD, CCFP(EM) McMaster University, Canada Family Medicine/ Emergency Medicine
I was born in Tamil Nadu, South India. My parents were missionaries there from 1953-1978. India has and continues to be a big part of my life. India is a beautiful country, and in the middle of this country is a beautiful jewel called Bethania Kids. But there is something even more special about Bethania Kids. It is the jewel that is shining the light of Jesus and providing hope for many children who could imagine little more than begging on the streets or being abused just for being handicapped or outcast. Bethania Kids is a home in India where children are loved and cared for. It’s a home where Jesus is present.
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”
- 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 is providing to God’s children in India.
- 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 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.
- Fort Worth, TX
- Mission Trips Committee Chair
- Board member since: 2014
- Background:
- I am a graduate of Valparaiso University (1984) with a degree in Elementary/Special Education. I have taught learning disabled students, worked as an instructional paraprofessional and tutored students at Huntington and Sylvan Learning Centers. My husband, Steve, and I currently live in Fort Worth, TX, and we have three grown sons. I am a donor to Bethania Kids Sponsor-A-Child and also an Advisory Board member.
I was introduced to Bethania Kids through long-time supporters, Terry and Renita Wold. They had traveled to India to visit the Bethania sites and, upon their return, gave a presentation about their experience to our church’s congregation. That’s when I became hooked and wanted to be involved. My husband and I began donating to Sponsor-A-Child and we’ve had the privilege of hosting home gatherings, as well, when our Indian partners have visited the United States.
In February 2014, I traveled to India for the first time with a group led by David Granner. What an amazing experience! The greatest defining moment, for me, occurred at the special needs center in Kodaikanal. That’s when it hit me. . . a moment when I felt God’s overwhelming presence and the life-changing power of His love. Jesus, undoubtedly, shows himself to us through Bethania Kids. The wonders of His love radiate in the smiling faces of the children and the compassionate, nurturing staff. God has also drawn me into a deeper relationship with Him through this ministry. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I’m so grateful to serve our Lord and know Him more profoundly by being involved with Bethania Kids.
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 and/or expecting a child in 2022! 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.
- 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 founders 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.
- 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 and Wendy Oesterling 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.
- Grand Junction, CO
- Board member since: 2020
- Background:
- B.S. Tulane University
- Doctor of Medicine Tulane University School of Medicine
- Researcher, PRISMA and Johns Hopkins University, Peru 2014-2015
- Current Hospitilalist and Emergency Department Physician, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Grand Junction, CO
My wife and I recently celebrated 10 years of marriage and now have two beautiful daughters. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Bethania mission sites in India twice, and have been very impressed by the care and love provided in each of those homes. By God’s grace, I have finished medical training and now have more freedom to both financially and mentally support Bethania’s ministries. whan at play, I enjoy biking with my girls, swimming or rock climbing.- 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.
dhollenbach@bethaniakids.org
- Board member since 2021
- Silver Spring, MD
- Bachelor of Arts, Houghton College
- Master of Science; Elementary Education, University of Massachusetts
Originally from New England, I moved to Maryland after marrying my husband, Allen in 2004. We have two children. Our daughter was born in 2007 while we were living and working overseas in Jakarta, Indonesia. When our son was born in 2013, we began our journey as special needs parents. I have been an elementary educator for 15 years in a variety of roles including ESOL and Special Education. I am thrilled to join the Bethania Kids Board and hop and pray that God will use me in His service to the children Bethania serves, alongside the dedicated staff and Board members for His glory.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.
Staff
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- Laurel, MT
- Background:
- Graduate of Indiana University/Purdue Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
- Former Director of Development, Montana Family Foundation (allied with Focus on the Family)
I came to Bethania Kids after many months of prayerful consideration. I take my role as a professional fundraiser and mission ambassador very seriously, and the Lord clearly led me to link arms with this worthy organization. I’m a relationship builder first and foremost, which is why I spend my free time with my husband of 31 years, who loves the great outdoors; with our two grown sons, who both serve in the US Military; with our close friends, who are the icing on the cake; and by myself, so I can rest and re-charge.
- 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.
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 promise that 100% of our donations would go directly to the ministries in India. I’m delighted to be a more integral part of Bethania Kids now as a staff member.
My name is Toni O’Connor. I am the Marketing and Administration Coordinator. 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. I have a husband, Adrian, and two cats, Eli and Licorice. We all live in Stephens City, Virginia.
Hold the Hand of a Child in Need
There are countless ways to participate in this vibrant ministry and share God’s love with the children at Bethania Kids.
Our 100% Promise
We channel 100% of every penny donated into direct ministry for children.
For more information about this and other ministry topics, please contact Bethania Kids at info@bethaniakids.org or
1-800-993-5179.