People

Zach Szmara is the National Director of Immigrant Connection.  He has been a Department of Justice accredited legal representative since 2014 and has served over 2200 immigrants from 100+ nations in the 7 years he has led his local Immigrant Connection site.  He also serves as the pastor of The Bridge Community Church – a multilingual, multicultural, multiethnic church in Logansport, Indiana.  He has spoken nationally on the topic of immigration, diaspora, multi-cultural/multi-ethnic diversity, and holistic outreach to immigrants and refugees.  He is married to Lyndy, a special education administrator, and they have one son, Isaac.

Adam Lipscomb is the Director of Development for Immigrant Connection. He has spoken and written about immigration, anti-racism, racial and ethnic diversity and urban ministry. His has served on the boards of three nonprofits, all in the arena of housing and homelessness. He started City Life Church, a multi-cultural/multi-ethnic, core-neighborhood church, in Grand Rapids, MI. He was a co-lead pastor there, alongside his wife, Christy, for 15 years. They have two sons, Jude and Elijah.

Courtney Peñaranda is the Assistant to the Directors and also serves as the Launch Coach for Immigrant Connection. She has worked with international students through both collegiate student affairs and ESL programs. Courtney has also worked as a legal assistant in a local Immigrant Connection office as well as an immigration law firm. She is married to Luigi Peñaranda and they have 3 children, Mateo, Sofia, and Elena.