Our Story...
John grew up in northeast Ohio and Dina in the heart of the city of Chicago. They met in 1990 while attending North Central Bible College (now North Central University) in Minneapolis, MN where John was studying cross cultural ministry and Dina social sciences. They later moved back to Chicago where they married and began to cut their teeth in ministry in a church planting effort in the Logan Square neighborhood. Eventually they would serve as assistant and youth pastors both in Iowa and Massachusetts. In 2000 the Lord moved on their hearts to begin to take steps to fulfill His calling to the foreign mission field. They received their appointment as missionaries from the General Council of the Assemblies of God in 2001, ultimately arriving in Costa Rica for language school in 2003. Soon after they arrived in Guatemala where they served in church planting, youth evangelism and youth ministry training until 2011. Presently they serve in Costa Rica in partnership with the national church to reach the least, the last, and the lost of a generation of youth.
John and Dina have four children - Nicco, Roman, Nina and Sophia.
Nicco is a Junior at Valley Forge Christian College, in Phoenixville, PA, studying Intercultural Studies. Nicco has a gift for writing and a strong sense of God's working in culture and society. He has a call to missions and will marry Leah Hartensveld this summer. He enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
Roman is a Sophomore at James River Leadership College in Springfield, MO. There he is studying leadership in ministry. He works several jobs and is involved with ministry at James River. He is praying about his future and believes God will continue to lead him as he looks toward the Fall. Roman enjoys playing guitar and recording music, long-boarding, and spending time with family and friends.
Nina is very compassionate and has a servant's heart. She's always there with a helping hand. Nina has a beautiful singing voice and is quick with a joke. We call her the "baby whisperer" because she can woo any child! They love her! Nina has a heart for children and thinks the Lord may lead her into pediatric nursing.
