Who We Are
Ministry Team
Christian Paetsch
In 2015, Christian Paetsch started as a student in The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) Capstone Program, which is a 4-year, 16-module, church-based seminary program, and he graduated in 2019 with a Certificate of Christian Leadership Studies (32 credit hours). After graduating, Christian joined the TUMI of Denver team and became a volunteer Site Leader for the TUMI Capstone Program at Fellowship Community Church in Centennial, CO. As Site Leader, he was responsible for planning and leading the class sessions, mentoring students, and grading homework assignments.
Christian, a trained concert violinist, earned his Bachelors from the University or Northern Colorado and also holds a Masters in Music Education. He is also a contractor with a local construction company Athenaeum Properties where he is the lead contractor. While he leads TUMI classes during the week he is also very active as a musician as a worship team member at his church.
In November 2022, the TUMI of Denver team—Christian Paetsch, Rev. Mike Dickie, and Chaplain Kris Briggs - embarked on a new journey with the TUMI ministry. After much prayer, discussion, and support from World Impact, they determined that it was strategic to not only grow TUMI programs in Denver but to also expand throughout Colorado by becoming their own 501(c)(3) nonprofit. To keep in pace with the great vision God has given them, they have broadened the scope of the ministry by naming the nonprofit The Urban Ministry Institution (TUMI) of Colorado. Now, Christian is pleased to announce that he has eagerly accepted the call to serve with The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) of Colorado as the Ministry Director.
You can contact Christian Paetsch at coloradoTUMI.christian@gmail.com or 720-487-7855.
Chaplain Kris Briggs
Chaplain Kris Briggs earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Regis University Denver in 2003. She retired as a Technical Writer (over 20 years) in 2012 and went into full-time Christ-centered ministry.
With a heart for becoming a Chaplain and helping people who are going through hard times, Kris completed Stephen Minister certification in 2005, International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC) certification as a Correctional Chaplain in 2008, and Lay Counselor certification through Grace Church Arvada in 2011. She was ordained through South Fellowship Church Littleton in 2015.
In 2013, Kris was one of Mike’s TUMI students at the Denver location. She asked Mike if he needed staff assistance, and out of that, she joined the TUMI Denver staff full-time.
Kris has spent over a decade working with inmates in and out of prison offering hope and encouragement to the wounded souls that God puts in her path. She oversees the TUMI prison programs–in partnership with Prison Fellowship–for both a men’s and women’s prison in the Denver Metro Area. Her prison duties include mentoring at both prison facilities and coordinating with the prison staff, Prison Fellowship leadership, and TUMI leadership.
As part of her TUMI prison duties, she helps TUMI incarcerated students who are being released to establish strong relationships with churches and Christ-centered ministries on the outside through finding mentors and other volunteers. Her goal is to have a supportive and loving community around her released TUMI students–to welcome them and to help them adjust when they leave prison.
You can contact Chaplain Kris Briggs at coloradotumi.kris@gmail.com or 303-956-7898.
Rev. Mike and Mary Dicke
Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Kansas State University in 1974 and then worked for The Boeing Company for 33 years. While at Boeing, he earned a Masters of Business Administration from Baker University in 2000. He took early retirement from Boeing in 2008 and took a position with World Impact as Director of Deer Creek Christian Camp where he and Mary served for 3 years.
Mike stepped down from the Deer Creek Director position and moved to Denver to start TUMI of Denver. He also trains future TUMI mentors as additional sites are started in Colorado. In addition, he worked with Prison Fellowship to start TUMI sites at two prisons. He is currently a TUMI Field Representative and site coordinator of the TUMI of Denver satellite. He earned his Capstone Curriculum Certificate of Christian Leadership Studies in 2016 and was ordained in 2019.
Mike has also taught TUMI in India on numerous trips there and has been instrumental in starting three TUMI sites in India. He has also traveled to Napal, Ethiopia, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Costa Rica to teach TUMI and assist them in establishing TUMI sites there.
You can contact Rev. Mike Dicke at mdicke@tumi.org or 316-200-0007.
Mary is a retired Registered Nurse. In Denver, Mary has served at a mobile medical clinic for the homeless and ministered at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. She mentored an accelerated a TUMI class to complete all 16 modules in just two years (typically 4 years), and she and her class earned the Capstone Curriculum Certificate of Christian Leadership Studies in 2019.
Mary works alongside Mike in their TUMI international travels. However, Mary also takes on projects of her own. She and friend Krupa were instrumental in getting a safe house built in India for battered women–which also serves as a TUMI school. Then three years later, she had a sewing school built onto that building.
You can contact Mary Dicke at mandmdi@msn.com or 316-200-0002.