The ministry of IndyBlended, Inc. was birthed out of seasons of profound challenges and loss combined with experiences of incredible blessings and victories. We have lived through it all, and still experience both sides of family life. That’s why we are here. Stepfamilies are complex and challenging. Yet, through it all, we have experienced God’s goodness, faithfulness, and guidance as He has ministered to us in personal and powerful ways.
We know that we are not the only ones experiencing challenges, having met couples who were blended and searching for the same resources we were. We realize that in the local community and local church, there are limited if any, training or other support resources specifically for blended families. Our goal is to fill this gap and offer hope in the midst of complex challenges.
IndyBlended was birthed out of a God-given desire to help couples find encouragement and hope in remarriage, cultivate community among blended families, and share practical strategies for strengthening stepfamilies. We intend to provide this support through a weekend workshop and follow-up counseling passing on information that would otherwise need to be learned through years of painful trial and error. Living blended for more than 17 years, the redemption and restoration that God has brought into our life are a testament to His faithfulness and goodness. We’ve seen Him take the losses of our past and from them birth amazing blessings.
Our favorite Bible verse during this season of life has been Jesus’ words in John 15:5. “I am the vine, you are the branches, if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.”
Mission
IndyBlended exists first and foremost to inspire hope. Our workshops are created to strengthen marriages and stepfamilies and end the cycle of divorce.
Vision
To provide every blended family with ongoing support, encouragement, and accountability.
Founders
Jennifer
Jennifer Strege is a genuine and enthusiastic believer who loves Jesus, the Bible, and His people. She grew up in a stepfamily after her father and mother divorced and remarried. Jennifer is a Christian wife, mother, and grandmother. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Counseling and Biblical Theology from Johnson University and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. She has completed the Blended Family ministry certificate through FamilyLife®. Jennifer has experience as a private counselor within a local agency, is a Bible study leader, Bible study author, a small group leader, and is a ministry founder of IndyBlended.
Jennifer is passionate about encouraging Christ-followers to walk in their true identity in Christ. She has written Bible studies for equipping children and women to walk in the freedom and victory secured by Jesus. She enjoys mentoring young women and couples, teaching the Bible, facilitating small groups, and encouraging others. She is eager to share her successes and failures with other stepfamilies to help them grow, be encouraged, make new traditions, and love each other well. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading historical fiction, spending time with her husband, kids, and grand-baby, and being outside.
Jennifer and her husband, Mark, are a blended family with two sons and two daughters. Together they are the founders of IndyBlended, a Christian Ministry committed to equipping and educating blended families with resources and practical skills through the truth of God’s word, empowering marriages and families to flourish in their kingdom identity and live life abundantly.
Mark
Mark Strege is an authentic and passionate leader who loves to help people with their marriage, faith, and daily walk of life. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in the life sciences from the University of Wisconsin and Purdue University, respectively, and is the published author of more than 50 technical articles, book chapters, and one book. Mark has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the corporate world, recently retiring from Eli Lilly and Company as a Senior Director. He also has over 25 years of leadership experience in Christian ministry, focusing on marriage, families, and ministry to men. He is an experienced speaker at both scientific conferences and ministry events. Mark has completed the Blended Family ministry certificate through FamilyLife®.
Mark and his wife Jennifer have been married for over 16 years and are the founders of IndyBlended, a ministry that is committed to equipping and educating blended families with resources and practical skills through the truth of God’s word, empowering marriages and families to flourish in their kingdom identity and live life abundantly. Mark’s heart is to partner with married couples, families, and especially men to help them navigate the beautiful process of marriage and blend a family with foundations based on God’s truth.
Mark and his wife, Jennifer, are a blended family with two sons and two daughters. In his downtime, he enjoys working out, hiking, running, reading, fishing, hunting, watching sports, playing Catan, traveling, and eating good food.
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