Scott Lundeen
Executive Director
Scott was part of iSSACHAR’s second class and is an alumnus of the apprenticeship program. He has 25 years of experience in urban and student ministry in cities including Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver, Chicago, and New Orleans. Scott’s experience in New Orleans, including Hurricane Katrina, furthered his passions for developing young urban Christian leaders and engaging followers of Jesus in issues of race, poverty, and justice. Upon his return to Denver in 2008, he worked with Mile High Ministries to produce the Urban Entry video series and became re-engaged at iSSACHAR. In his role of program director since 2011, Scott lives his passion of developing urban Christian leaders who leverage their resources for God’s Kingdom. Scott holds degrees in Communications and Media from Bethel University and an M.A. from Denver Seminary. He lives in Denver with his wife, Melanie, and two daughters.
Sandy Lee
Apprenticeship Director
Sandy’s passion for developing and counseling young people spans two decades and five states. She has served as a social worker for underserved youth and court-ordered juvenile delinquents and their families, a school crisis counselor, a church youth leader, an intercultural competence trainer and a discipleship director. She worked alongside Scott Lundeen to create an urban leadership development program in New Orleans, and later accepted his invitation to join the iSSACHAR staff in 2012. Sandy enjoys helping people understand who they are at their core, in order to discover what God has for them in their story. She desires to equip apprentices who walk with confidence into their gifts of leadership to impact the world. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Trinity International University, a M.S.W. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Florida State University.
Fabian Armenta
Academic Success Coordinator
Fabian has nearly 16 years of experience working with young people. With a B.A. in Bible and Theology from Crown College in Minnesota, he served three years as a youth pastor in the northern Denver metro area, and spent five years as a mentor, teacher, and supervisor with the nonprofit youth organization, Colorado UpLift. While there, Fabian first learned about iSSACHAR from his direct supervisor – an alumnus of the apprenticeship program. The desire to grow leaders from the neighborhood for the neighborhood hit home with Fabian, reminding him of his own leadership journey. Joining the iSSACHAR team allows him to live out his passion for teaching and learning, and affords him the chance to mentor the next generation of young leaders as they learn more about who and what God calls them to be and do.
Paloma and Anthony Cotton
Resident Managers
Between the two of them, Paloma and Anthony have 15 years of experience working with urban communities. As a couple they served as youth pastors at an urban church in the heart of Los Angeles, CA.
Anthony has danced professionally and performed numerous motivational speeches. He considers these talents as expressions of who God is, and uses them to bridge the gap between the secular and the sacred world. He has spoken and danced at various churches, schools, and non-profits.
Paloma is a black belt in Taekwondo and has taught martial arts and self defense to kids from underserved communities, and girls who were rescued from human sex trafficking. She has also mentored through numerous schools and organizations such as Heart and Hand Center, Save Our Youth, and The Good Seed.
Being that Paloma is an alumnus of Issachar, she knows first hand the transformation that happens when you are part of the Issachar community. They are passionate about helping apprentices discover how their dreams and passions align with the purpose God has for their lives.
Jessica Bean
Director of Development
Jessica began her working in fundraising in 2014 at which time she was working in Hong Kong raising money for a poverty alleviation organization that served the ultra-poor in the Philippines. She then moved to England to support fundraising for mission opportunities in Europe. In 2016, she moved to Denver and began working at the National MS Society managing donors across five states. When she’s not working Jessica serves as a volunteer leader for Young Life at a local middle school. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Winthrop University and a M.A. in Theology from Regent College.
