Mighty Hearts
International
About Us
Who We Are
Mighty Hearts International is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged children throughout the world become Christian leaders and ambassadors for Jesus Christ.
We are based in Appleton, WI, USA and are a group of volunteers who have all been touched in one way or another through our experiences in Lima, Peru. We have witnessed, firsthand, the harsh realities of poverty and broken families and are committed to making a difference by helping children obtain basic needs such as food, clothing, education, and medical care while building their life foundation through Christian Biblical principles.
Our mission is to seek out forgotten, disadvantaged elementary-aged children and provide training and encouragement on a path toward Christian leadership. Children and their families are given hope through a ministry of Christ’s love, and foundations are provided to meet basic needs (such as food, clothing, and medical care). The spiritual development of children will be focused on Bible-based training and weekly club activities.
Hover Over Our Headshots to Learn More
Associate Advisor
Ashely Marcuson
Founder & President of Mighty Hearts
Bryan Kopesky
Member of Board of Directors
Steve VanRyzin
Bryan is the Founder and President of Mighty Hearts International. He and his family, Tracy (wife), Danielle and Korinne (teenage daughters at the time) first visited Peru in 2005 on a short-term mission trip with their local church. It was thought to be a one-time trip but after seeing and experiencing the incredible work being done through Mighty Hearts – Peru (aka Corazones Felices/Happy Hearts) Bryan was compelled to return. In the time since, he has visited the Mighty Hearts – Peru team twenty times to serve and develop relationships with the leaders of Mighty Hearts – Peru. This ultimately led to founding Mighty Hearts International. Bryan enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially with his five granddaughters (there’s a boy on the way!), as well as working on his small farm in rural Wisconsin with Tracy.
Steve is currently a member of Mighty Hearts International Board of Directors. His first trip to Peru was in 2010 to participate in Corazones Felices’ Christmas event called “Verdadera Navidad” or True Christmas. This experience was truly a blessing to Steve that clearly demonstrated how God moves through His people as His hands and feet to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Steve has since led 2 additional groups to Peru to have the same opportunity to witness this wonderful program. He has also been a part of the fund-raising efforts to support the True Christmas event by creating decorative outdoor planters for the annual “Porch Pots for Peru” sale. His career as a landscape designer and passion for plants and landscape design has made him uniquely suited for this.
Ashley first visited Peru in 2017 as part of a student ministries team from church. She felt called to the work being done through Mighty Hearts and has since visited Peru three more times, once for a five-week long internship. Ashley is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about using her education and skills to serve those who lack health care. She spent many years studying Spanish and enjoys being challenged by using the language. God has revealed Himself to her countless times through the work accomplished by Mighty Hearts and the many people she has connected with in this ministry. Ashley is also passionate about singing and loves serving on her church’s worship team.
Meet Our Directors
What Sets Mighty Hearts Apart?
Lives are Being Changed
Children involved in Mighty Hearts are healthier, happier and more successful. Kids show up early for their weekly club meetings because they can't wait to start each week. There are several instances of Mighty Hearts children moving from the bottom of their school classes to the top. Medical charts record yearly health improvements in the children in the program. Graduates from the program become leaders and mentors to current children in the program
Family & Education Focused
Family focus and education are essential parts of the program. Parents and guardians are educated and enabled to provide basic needs and loving environments to their children. Families are often healed and restored through the child's involvement in the program.
Dedicated Local Volunteers
Dedicated local volunteers make all the difference. Mighty Hearts club leaders are dedicated mentors who genuinely love working with the children. Their passion is shown in the love that they show to the children and the time and energy that they pour into the program.
Swipe to Learn More
Our Partners
As Mighty Hearts International™ continues to grow and expand our missionary reach, we would like to thank our partners that have contributed to our success along the way.
Ashley first visited Peru in 2017 as part of a student ministries team from church. She felt called to the work being done through Mighty Hearts and has since visited Peru three more times, once for a five-week long internship. Ashley is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about using her education and skills to serve those who lack health care. She spent many years studying Spanish and enjoys being challenged by using the language. God has revealed Himself to her countless times through the work accomplished by Mighty Hearts and the many people she has connected with in this ministry. Ashley is also passionate about singing and loves serving on her church’s worship team.
Steve is currently a member of Mighty Hearts International Board of Directors. His first trip to Peru was in 2010 to participate in Corazones Felices’ Christmas event called “Verdadera Navidad” or True Christmas. This experience was truly a blessing to Steve that clearly demonstrated how God moves through His people as His hands and feet to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Steve has since led 2 additional groups to Peru to have the same opportunity to witness this wonderful program. He has also been a part of the fund-raising efforts to support the True Christmas event by creating decorative outdoor planters for the annual “Porch Pots for Peru” sale. His career as a landscape designer and passion for plants and landscape design has made him uniquely suited for this.
Bryan is the Founder and President of Mighty Hearts International. He and his family, Tracy (wife), Danielle and Korinne (teenage daughters at the time) first visited Peru in 2005 on a short-term mission trip with their local church. It was thought to be a one-time trip but after seeing and experiencing the incredible work being done through Mighty Hearts – Peru (aka Corazones Felices/Happy Hearts) Bryan was compelled to return. In the time since, he has visited the Mighty Hearts – Peru team twenty times to serve and develop relationships with the leaders of Mighty Hearts – Peru. This ultimately led to founding Mighty Hearts International. Bryan enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially with his five granddaughters (there’s a boy on the way!), as well as working on his small farm in rural Wisconsin with Tracy.
Meet Our Directors
Click Our Headshots to Learn More
Founder & President of Mighty Hearts
Bryan Kopesky
Associate Advisor
Ashely Marcuson
Member of Board of Directors
Steve VanRyzin
Ashley first visited Peru in 2017 as part of a student ministries team from church. She felt called to the work being done through Mighty Hearts and has since visited Peru three more times, once for a five-week long internship. Ashley is a Registered Nurse who is passionate about using her education and skills to serve those who lack health care. She spent many years studying Spanish and enjoys being challenged by using the language. God has revealed Himself to her countless times through the work accomplished by Mighty Hearts and the many people she has connected with in this ministry. Ashley is also passionate about singing and loves serving on her church’s worship team.
Steve is currently a member of Mighty Hearts International Board of Directors. His first trip to Peru was in 2010 to participate in Corazones Felices’ Christmas event called “Verdadera Navidad” or True Christmas. This experience was truly a blessing to Steve that clearly demonstrated how God moves through His people as His hands and feet to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Steve has since led 2 additional groups to Peru to have the same opportunity to witness this wonderful program. He has also been a part of the fund-raising efforts to support the True Christmas event by creating decorative outdoor planters for the annual “Porch Pots for Peru” sale. His career as a landscape designer and passion for plants and landscape design has made him uniquely suited for this.
Bryan is the Founder and President of Mighty Hearts International. He and his family, Tracy (wife), Danielle and Korinne (teenage daughters at the time) first visited Peru in 2005 on a short-term mission trip with their local church. It was thought to be a one-time trip but after seeing and experiencing the incredible work being done through Mighty Hearts – Peru (aka Corazones Felices/Happy Hearts) Bryan was compelled to return. In the time since, he has visited the Mighty Hearts – Peru team twenty times to serve and develop relationships with the leaders of Mighty Hearts – Peru. This ultimately led to founding Mighty Hearts International. Bryan enjoys spending quality time with his family, especially with his five granddaughters (there’s a boy on the way!), as well as working on his small farm in rural Wisconsin with Tracy.
Founder & President of Mighty Hearts
Bryan Kopesky
Associate Advisor
Ashely Marcuson
Member of Board of Directors
Steve VanRyzin