Paul Dreessen - Senior Pastor

Paul was born in Mombasa, Kenya where his parents served as missionaries. He grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma and attended Wayland Baptist University  in Texas on an athletic scholarship. After graduating from Wayland with a B. A. in History, Paul went to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. He pastored in Houston, Texas for 10 years before coming to IBC, Costa Rica in 2002. He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Seminary in May of 2020. 

Paul is married to Dina and they have a daughter, Denae who lives in Houston, Texas with her husband Giovanni and daughters, Isabella and Aliyah.  Paul is a sports enthusiasts and likes to run, play basketball, soccer, golf and anything else that is outdoors. He loves to read, especially biographies and history, and has become conversationally fluent in Spanish. Traveling and trying foods from around the world are also high on his list of things he likes.

Paul enjoys the challenge and diversity of serving the international community, although he doesn't like having to say good bye to so many wonderful people when they move to a new location. He loves living and serving in such a beautiful little country like Costa Rica. He has a passion for preaching God's word in a relevant way and seeing life change happen. He also has a heart for missions and church planting and formerly served as President of the International Baptist Convention, a fellowship of English speaking international churches around the world. 

Joe Sanchez - Associate pastor

Joe Sanchez came to work as our Associate Pastor in the Summer of 2014. As a military child he grew up in various parts of the United States but attended High School and College in the state of Virginia. He graduated with a B.S degree from Virginia Tech and later with a Masters of Divinity from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Northern California (now Gateway Seminary). He has various ministry experience working with youth, college students, Spanish ministry and church planting. 

He and his wife Lizette were married in 2004 and have two children. Lizette is Peruvian and both she and Joe are bilingual in English and Spanish. While living in the U.S most of their time together was spent living in the states of Colorado and California but they enjoy the adventure of glorifying God in Costa Rica. 

Joe's a big fan of his kids, Peruvian food and good books. He currently oversees our Group and Discipleship ministries along with other areas here at the church. 

KIM KRAUSE - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Kim started working as our Administrative Assistant on April 2021. She was born in Bremen, Germany, but came to Costa Rica at a very early stage. So she is “tica”, but trilingual! She has a Bachelors Degree in Education in Science from University of Costa Rica and a Masters Degree in Education from Framingham State College. She has worked in other international organizations, like United World College C.R. , and she loves to be able to interact with people of different nationalities.

She has been married since 1994 with Julian, who by the way is also German, and they have two adult children, Sofia and Fabian, who live with them in Escazú, Guachipelín. 

Kim loves to swim, the movies and also to spent time with her husband and children. She is in charge of the administrative logistics of IBC and happy to be able to serve here at IBC.

FIORELLA VARGAS -CHILDREN, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT RESIDENT

Fiorella started working as our Children, Youth & Young Adult Resident in February 2022. She was born in San Jose, Costa Rica where she grew up with her two brothers, mother, and father. She has a degree in medical emergencies from the University of Costa Rica and is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree from The Evangelical Institute of Greenville in South Carolina, USA.

Fiorella got involved in missions with various organizations in Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala, where she also served as an Interpreter and was part of multiple medical missions. After finishing her associates Degree at the Evangelical Institute of Greenville she began working with a multi-cultural organization for international students in the United States.

She lives in Guachipelin, Escazu. She enjoys meeting people of different nationalities as well as volleyball and water sports. She is excited to see God working in the hearts of young people.

CHARLIE LOPEZ - BUILDING AND GROUNDS MANAGER

Charlie started working as our Building and Grounds Manager  in May 2021. He was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica where he lives with his parents , sister and nephew. He is about 80% bilingual. He has a Bachelors Degree in Agronomy Engineering from UCR, as well as a degree as an Advanced Technician in Graphic Design from TEC . He has worked as a graphic designer previously, but prefers to include a little bit of that, along with his many hands-on duties here at IBC.

Charlie is engaged to be married in June 2022 to Jackie Manai, who is also an active member of IBC.

Charlie is a talented drummer, proactive, creative and loves to fish!