She is a student from India who came to America to attend Denver Seminary and is experiencing life as part of our church community. We recently posed a series of questions to her about her journey—what inspired her to join the program, her biggest challenges and joys, and a little about her faith story. Her thoughtful responses offer a glimpse into her life, filled with growth, discovery, and cultural connection. Read on to hear her story in her own words.
Tell us about yourself – growing up, coming to America and your studies at Denver Seminary.
My name is Elizabeth Kipgen. I was born and raised in Nepal in a missionary family. Life was never about material wealth—we had very little, but we relied on God’s provision daily. We grew our own food in the backyard, which taught me the importance of hard work. Due to our humble background, we couldn’t afford to hire workers, so we served God together as a family team. Growing up, we never had the privilege to have toys or eat good meals. But I was content with the joy of having a family, sitting together, sharing bible stories, and enjoying little moments. The fact that I could get an education was the highlight of my life. I felt extremely blessed and that’s how my parents inculcated the value of love & gratitude in me. Our daily life revolved around school, church, and mission work. As the ministry grew, our responsibilities doubled, as the ministry in Nepal is labor-intensive. We have about 7-8 fellowships in a day, and we care for every member of the church, visiting their homes, and hospitals, and especially doing rounds of evangelism.
Figure 1: My big & beautiful family. We are blessed with seven brothers as a part of Mercy Home, an extended part of our ministry.
For the past five years, I’ve served in the youth ministry, which has given me insight into the hearts and struggles of young people. Unfortunately, two young adults in our church died by suicide, which was a wake-up call for me. Youth in Nepal are vulnerable to drug exposure, criminal records, and unemployment. They feel condemned by society and judged by the church, most importantly. This made me realize the need for counseling in our mission field. This calling became clearer when my community, the Kukis in India, faced severe persecution for our faith. Amidst the widespread killing and destruction of property, one cry from a member of the community echoed in my heart: “Even if I am hurt and lost everything, I wish we had someone who could guide us through this painful situation.” They were desperately looking for counselors or psychotherapists but couldn’t find any. That’s when God called me again and directed me toward Denver Seminary. My burden is to bring God’s healing to people in pain. My prayer and vision are to run the Mercy Wellness Ministry, which will focus on providing free medical and mental health care to those in need. With the languages and gifts, I have, I believe I am chosen to serve God in these countries. How will I do that? I don’t know yet, but I know I must.
Figure 2: Gospel sharing ministry in villages with my parents & church leaders, 2023
Coming to the United States was a leap of faith for me. I am currently pursuing my Master’s at Denver Seminary, specializing in Clinical Counseling and School Counseling. This season of life has brought both challenges and immense growth as I adjust to a new culture and prepare for greater service to God and others. I was only able to come here because of the scholarship they extended to me, but there are many other expenditures beyond tuition. There’s housing, food, health insurance, textbooks, and more. There was a time when I faced near homelessness and felt discouraged. I did feel foolish, but I firmly believe that where God guides, He provides. God led me to Connections Church, which has been a huge blessing and a source of encouragement to me.
What are your joys, struggles, hobbies, and interests?
Joys: My greatest joy is my faith in God, who gives meaning to every part of my existence. My family is another constant source of strength and encouragement. I love my siblings and nieces, and every minute spent with them is one of the greatest joys of my life.
Struggles: Adjusting to life in the U.S. has been challenging, especially with financial constraints, transportation difficulties, unemployment, and academic hardships. Last semester was especially hard without textbooks, and I couldn’t even go to the library because I didn’t have a car. These struggles have deepened my reliance on God’s faithfulness.
Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy working with children, exploring creative approaches to therapy, and activities such as journaling and blogging that foster community and spiritual growth. I also love learning new things, and my current venture is learning the Casio keyboard.
Share a little about your faith story.
Growing up in Nepal, I was immersed in ministry from an early age. It was a way of life for my family. Our mission work was humble but deeply fulfilling. During my undergraduate studies, we planted a new church, Pratigya EC Church, in Kathmandu. Our branch church was a two-hour walk away, and I often conducted Sunday School under the open sky because we didn’t have a building.
In 2015, Nepal was hit by a major earthquake, and people were in deep pain from the loss of life and property. The vehicles couldn’t operate due to road damage. Amid this hopelessness, as I walked through the valleys, I felt the calling of God and saw how broken our world is. I was only 18 years old, but I spent my days praying in the empty church, fasting, and asking God to bring His kingdom into that church. I was just a nobody, but I had the hand of God upon me, praying for the sick and broken. I reached out to people, sharing the good news, and the Lord blessed us with new souls. By the time I graduated, we had a full congregation and a piece of land for the church. Praise the Lord! Our God is faithful!
Figure 3: While serving Kids in Kathmandu, 2016
Over time, ministry became more than just a duty—it became my life’s mission. I have been privileged to serve in evangelism, Sunday School, and youth ministry, and I am continually inspired by the simple yet profound ways God works through these efforts. After graduation, I had the opportunity to serve God holistically in Dharan, Nepal. I frequently visited many of our branch churches across Nepal while working in the office as chief editor. In every mission field, I saw how faithfully people loved God. They were faithful in giving offerings even when they had the bare minimum to survive. I saw how choosing Jesus came with a price—many were abandoned by their families and society, yet they chose God. The joy and peace they found in Christ touched my heart deeply. I believe that’s when the Holy Spirit truly worked in my heart, and I decided to follow Jesus with no turning back! For all these years, I have served voluntarily without any monetary compensation—that is my offering to the Lord. I also believe God has opened the doors to the United States because He trusts me to serve His people in Nepal. I am merely a human with many limitations, but I honor God and His calling.
Figure 4: Serving in the Youth Ministry at Bethel Church Dharan, 2024
How can we as a church support your community back home?
For Manipur: Please pray for peace and restoration in the state. Due to the ethnic war that broke out in 2023 many people are wounded and displaced, and they are in desperate need of medical aid. It’s heartbreaking to see my community being this severely persecuted for our faith and ethnicity. The refugee numbers are rising in the camps, and there are significant shortages of food, shelter, and warm clothing. I am praying to visit home this December, and if possible, I hope to conduct a free health camp. Funding for this would be a great help.
For Nepal: As the ministry grows, our need for workers increases. However, due to financial constraints, we cannot hire workers. One of our goals is to establish a school to help sustain the ministry. Please pray for funding for the school. Additionally, Samaritan boxes would bring tremendous encouragement to the humble community we serve.
If you feel moved by her story and want to support her as she continues her journey of faith and learning at Denver Seminary, you can give directly to her through the link below. Your generosity will help her pursue her calling and remain a vital part of our church community.