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 one daughter, Denae who lives in New Braunfels, Texas with her husband Giovanni and daughters, Isabella, Aliyah, and Gianna. 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.