Back2Back News

A New Calling

May 20th, 2009

The Back2Back Board of Directors has announced that Executive Director Dain Jepson has accepted a new calling with Peninsula Covenant Church in Redwood City, California, as their Pastor to Families.  In accepting this call, Dain continues to pursue his passion to serve children and families, and in addition, will be located close to Dain and Terry’s extended families in California. 

Dain, his wife Terry and two sons joined Back2Back in the summer of 1998 as missionaries to Mexico.  During the exciting two-year period while Dain and his family lived in Monterrey, Mexico, they renovated the Back2Back host facility, refined procedures for hosting mission guests and expanded the mission outreach to serve additional children.  In the summer of 2000, Dain accepted the position of Back2Back Executive Director and relocated to the Cincinnati area. When Dain began his 9-year tenure as Executive Director, there wereonly a handful of people on staff with Back2Back.   

Today, the ministry employs over 30 American staff as well as many national staff in each country, provides orphan care for hundreds of children and hosts 1,400 mission guests a year in Mexico, Nigeria and India.  We appreciate the guidance and leadership Dain has provided throughout this period of tremendous growth and blessing.  We are excited with Dain and Terry as they start this new adventure and pray for God’s continued blessing on their ministry. 

The board has named Todd Guckenberger, current Director of Latin America, as the Interim Executive Director and Brian Bertke as the director over the home office support team. Dain will be available through June 30 ensuring a smooth transition of all ministry operations.  Todd will assume the role as Interim Executive Director immediately following Dain Jepson's exit.  Matt Cooper will assume leadership over the ministry in Mexico as Todd remains an integral part of the Mexico leadership team.  

Todd and his wife, Beth, moved to Monterrey, Mexico in 1997 starting the original international B2B program.  Under Todd's leadership, the Mexico ministry has seen God's blessing and clear direction as the team of 30 American and national staff now serves dozens of orphanages and squatter's villages.  Todd's unique field experience and staff management skills will translate well as he manages operations from Cincinnati.  The Guckenberger's desire is to continue to follow God's direction and the vision He has given Back2Back, wherever in the world that leads.  

The board of directors will be forming an executive search team in the beginning of September and are eagerly anticipating all God has for the future of Back2Back.  Please feel free to contact Board President, Jeff Greer, at 513-754-0333, Todd Guckenberger at 011-528-18-999-9350 or Brian Bertke at 513-754-0300 ext 1708 with any questions.