Seek God, learn from His Word, serve one another and our community.
ABOUT US
Jungle Church is a community of believers planted in the heart of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. We gather to seek God, learn from His Word, and serve one another and our wider community.
Jungle Church reflects the diverse fabric of Santa Teresa, bringing together people from different backgrounds and nationalities with a shared desire to grow in maturity in Christ — whether local, expat, a temporary nomad, or a visitor.
Whether you come from a faith background or are simply curious about the Christian faith, you are welcome at our table. More importantly, we believe that God is interested in you, regardless of your circumstances, not distant, but personal, meaningful, and transformational.
OUR STORY
Jungle Church started the way most good things do: out of need, a little dreaming, and a lot of faith gathered around a home table.
When Enri and Bia Tielmann, together with their two daughters, Filipa and Elis, moved to Santa Teresa, they hoped to join an English-speaking Christian community. Despite the town's deeply international and spiritual fabric, they were surprised to discover there were nonexistent faith-led initiatives — whether Sunday services, Bible studies, or small prayer groups.
That realization led to the start of Bible Brunch Sundays in their home: an open invitation for anyone to gather around Scripture, share food, and build community together.
What began as a Bible brunch has steadily grown into a small church, with regular attendees and new faces joining each week. Above all, Jungle Church exists to make Christ’s name known among the nations — in Santa Teresa and in all the places people come from and return to.
WE BELIEVE
We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, who lived among us, suffered, died, and was buried, and on the third day rose again.
He ascended into heaven and reigns with the Father, and He will come again to restore all things.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church, the communion of believers, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
Amen.
LEADERSHIP
Enri and Bia Tielmann started and lead Jungle Church on a volunteer basis while pursuing different career paths. They both hold pastoral theology degrees from Word of Life Theological Seminary in São Paulo, Brazil, where they met in 2005.
Enri works in product design and consulting. While living in Stuttgart, Germany, where he is originally from, he co-founded Plattform-Feuerbach, a church initiative designed to remove barriers and create a space where non-believers could encounter God and community.
Bia works in marketing strategy and fundraising within the Canadian non-profit sector. She has served as Honorary Consul of Brazil with Global Affairs Canada and has worked in international development, event management, and social entrepreneurship. Alongside her professional work, she serves as a NextGen GDN leader in the Lausanne Movement’s Diasporic Network.
RESIDENT TEAM
TEACHING, OUTREACH &
WOMEN’S GROUP LEADER
Tammy Hilgendorf is from Washington, USA, and has recently planted roots in Santa Teresa. Professionally, she specializes in TikTok Shop marketing and sales. When she's not working, you'll find her surfing, playing sunset volleyball, or building community wherever she goes.
Her walk with God began at 21, and she has a deep passion for the Bible and cross-referencing scripture, sharing God’s heart with others, and being bold in the spirit.
Rubén and Cindy Langston met through Estudiantes Cristianos Unidos (ECU), where a shared passion for faith and student ministry brought them together.
Rubén is a Costa Rican-American agronomist originally from Nosara, Guanacaste. He serves full-time as a campus staff member with ECU, focusing on leadership training, workshop development, and the discipleship of university students. He has deep roots in the Santa Teresa community through family and has been in the area on and off for over ten years.
Cindy is Nicaraguan by birth but has called Santa Teresa home since childhood. She is currently studying veterinary medicine in Atenas and, alongside her studies, serves as a volunteer campus staff worker with ECU.
TEACHING & COUNSEL
We believe the local church is strengthened by the wider global Body of Christ. For that reason, we warmly welcome spiritual leaders, ministry workers, and believers who are passing through or temporarily based in Santa Teresa to join us — whether for a season of service, collaboration, fellowship, or mutual encouragement.
If you feel called to volunteer or serve alongside, we would love to hear from you.
