Pastor Jared

Pastor Jared was born in Alton, IL and raised in Phoenix, AZ. He received Jesus as his Lord and Savior at age seven. From a young age Jared dreamed of being a shepherd and taking care of sheep. After losing his dad to a massive heart attack at age ten, the Lord used the tragedy and many trials to call him to be a missionary. After finishing his degree from Moody Bible Institute, he married Tanya. The Lord called them to be missionaries in Nicaragua, where they spent fifteen years planting churches and making disciples. In 2016, the Lord called their family back to the States to start Petra Bible Church in Bozeman. In 2018, Jared finished his M. Div. from Western Seminary and the bilingual church plant began in Bozeman. Jared and Tanya have four kids: Josiah (20), Isaiah (18), Gaby (16), and Jeremiah (14). Jared’s favorite hobbies include camping with his family, hiking, date nights with Tanya, and playing sports with his kids.

our leadership team

Jared Cox Senior Pastor
Tanya Cox English Women’s Ministry Coordinator
Meileen Creal Spanish Ministry Coordinator
Amairani Acosta-Silva Petra Kids Coordinator
Amber Lundskog Petra Missionary / Ministry Coordinator / Admin

Our Story

While attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, the Lord made it clear to Jared that he was to go live amongst the Nicaraguan people and preach Christ. In 2000, after graduating from Moody, Jared and Tanya were married. After completing a year in language school in Costa Rica, they went on to serve the Lord in Nicaragua. God used many trials in their first year to teach them more about depending on Christ, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.
At first, the Cox’s started a youth center to teach and train youth who had a desire to learn and serve the Lord but there was not biblical church to send them to. After a year, Jared was burdened to plant a biblically sound church where the young people could be discipled and trained according to God’s Word, and sent out to serve the Lord. They began the first church plant in Managua in 2005.

The Lord has done a mighty and powerful work over the years! By God’s grace, many have been saved, discipled, trained and sent out to start new churches. The main church in Managua now has over 300 members. Churches have also been planted in Balgue and Merida on the Island of Ometepe, along with in Chinandega and Matagalpa. The churches are based in prayer, the Word, worship, and serving the Lord. After fifteen years in Nicaragua, the Lord brought John 3:30 to Jared's heart, “He must increase. I must decrease.” After much prayer, the Cox family left the churches in the hands of the Nicaraguan pastors and leaders. They returned to the United States in 2016 and now reside in Bozeman, Montana where the newest Petra church plant is located as well as the stateside Petra International Ministries Office. The reach of Petra is now in Colombia and moving further into South America as well.

God continues to build His Kingdom as the work carries on!

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

- Matthew 6:33

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."

- 1 Peter 3:8

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

- Romans 15:5-6