At JACOM, our mission is to educate the people in Accompong, Jamaica through schooling, agriculture, leadership development, and spiritual growth.
Jamaica/Accompong Connection of Minnesota
JACOM's History
1989
In February 1989, Harald Petersen of Alden, MN accepted Christ while on a mission trip to Hopewell, Jamaica. He and his wife, Marie, traveled to the island several times the next 16+ years providing financial and spiritual support to individuals, families, schools, and orphanages.
1990
In 1990, Harald met the superintendent of an orphanage in Monetgo Bay, Jamaica which was the beginning of a long and committed relationship built on the shared vision of bettering the lives of orphans and students in the Montego Bay area and later building an education center in the Maroon town of Accompong, Jamacia.
1998
Construction on the Petersen Center in Accompong, Jamaica began in 1998. The people of Accompong, the Colonel, and Harald shared the same vision: education would help pave the way for this community to get out of poverty and into self-sufficiency. The construction of the Petersen Center provided consistent work for more than 60 local Maroons.
2003
After many delays due to power outages, lack of water, cement shortages, and difficult driving conditions to get supplies delivered, the construction of the Petersen Center was completed in 2003. This building became the main hub of many of JACOM's ministries and has housed many Bible Studies, Bible Schools, Mission Groups, and more since it was completed.
2004
JACOM (Jamaica/Accompong Connection of Minnesota) was officially formed in 2004 to create a group of people from the Albert Lea, MN area to help maintain the ministries Harald had began and to invite others in join in the vision.
Current
JACOM has many different ministries that have ebbed and flowed with the needs of the community and the ever changing culture. Post-COVID, our main focus has been on assisting with schooling and youth discipleship.