AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN FIELD
Jon & Jennifer Dahlager

Personal Background

Jon was born in Wadena, MN (1970) to Rev. Ken and Marcie Dahlager, who have been missionaries since 1973. He grew up in San José, Costa Rica, and is fluent in Spanish.

Jennifer was born in Detroit Lakes, MN (1970) to Charles and Lynette Tims, and grew up outside of Pelican Rapids, MN. She was an international exchange student in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she lived with a Muslim family and studied for a year after high school.

Jon and Jennifer met in 1992 when Jennifer was a student at North Central University and Jon was in Chicago. They were married in 1994. Their first son, Jonathan, was born on November 19, 1997. Click here to visit Jonathan's web page. Jonathan now has a baby brother. Jon and Jennifer's second son, Joshua,  was born on June 23, 2000. Click here to visit Joshua's web page.

Educational Background

Jon graduated in 1991 from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN with a B.A. in Biblical Languages. He finished an M.A. in Theology in 1996 from Bethel Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and has done additional graduate work in counseling.

Jennifer studied literature and Bengali language at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1989-90. She graduated from NCU in 1994 with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a minor in piano. From 1994-1997 she taught in a public elementary school in Minneapolis.

Ministry Background

Jon and Jennifer have both had a breadth of ministry experience. Jon helped to plant Risen Savior Assembly of God in inner city Chicago. He served from 1993-1998 at Summit Avenue Assembly of God in St. Paul as an associate pastor, working with young adults and lay ministries. At the church he began and taught in a Bible training center for Cambodian and Eritrean ministry leaders.

Jon and Jennifer have made numerous missions trips to Latin America and Europe. Together they have led several retreats for the teenage and college-age children of missionaries. They often sing and lead worship together with guitar and piano.

Ministry Vision

Jon and Jennifer believe that God will use them in Costa Rica to raise up Pentecostal leaders for the 21st century. The national church in Costa Rica has been at the cutting edge of ministry in Latin America for decades, but faces daunting challenges as the new millennium approaches. The Bible school system faces the changes in educational needs and national pastors are alarmed at the rate their children are leaving the church.

Jon and Jennifer believe that God has called them to train up young believers to become the Christ-centered pastors, missionaries and leaders Costa Rica needs for the next century, and to develop a ministry to strengthen the families and children of national pastors.

Check out the latest newsletter information from the Dahlagers.

E-mail: jon.dahlager@agmd.org