Jon Dybdahl has been named president of Gospel Outreach, which is headquartered in College Place, Wash.
“What a privilege to help lead a ministry whose main focus is to spread the message of Jesus’ love and soon coming to the part of our world that is most needy. Your ongoing prayers and support are greatly appreciated as we reach out to the 10/40 Window using indigenous evangelists,” Dybdahl says.
Dybdahl has been an evangelist, church planter and pastor in Thailand and Singapore. He taught theology at colleges and universities in Asia, Michigan and Washington. From 1990 to 2002, he served at the Institute of World Mission and the Department of World Mission at Andrews University.
From 2002 to 2006, Dybdahl was president of Walla Walla University.
Dybdahl took office Sept. 1 after Dan Preas, outgoing president, resigned to focus on his ministry as chaplain at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.
“The Gospel Outreach board appreciates all Dan has done for the organization during his time of service, and now we believe the Lord has led in Jon’s willingness to become the new president. Jon’s past experience in leadership and mission service make him uniquely qualified for this role. We are excited to see how the Lord will bless in the future,” says Larry Dodds, Gospel Outreach board of directors chairman.
Gospel Outreach is an all-volunteer organization that works closely with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to provide support for more than 2,000 indigenous Bible workers in North Africa, the Middle East, India, China, the Philippines and other countries in the 10/40 Window — an area where 97 percent of the world’s unreached live.