Pastor Jay and Allison Tolleson were married in Dec. 1996 in Winona, MN. Jay was born and raised in Winona.  Allison and her family, after a number of moves, ended up with Winona.  They have been blessed with 4 children, Calloway (23), Gunnar (20), Sterling (18), and Maverick (14). After they were married, they lived in Phoenix, AZ for 3 years, while Jay and Allison both worked in a school.  After leaving Arizona, and a short stay in Western Minnesota, Jay accepted a job in Caledonia.  They would spend 21 years living in that community.

Pastor Jay Tolleson, wife Allison and family began their pastorate in December of 2023 at Zion Evangelical Church.  Before coming to Zion, Jay, Allison and family served as Village Missionaries at Blowers Chapel in Sebeka, MN.

We believe that God orchestrates things in our lives.  He opens doors and closes others.  He definitely was involved with us being able to move back in the area where we lived for 20+ years along with being closer to our 2 adult children as well as our aging mother’s and to serve him at the same time.  We are excited to be at Zion Evangelical and excited to see what God has in store for us and the church.

Pastor Jay, Allison and their two oldest children (Calloway and Gunnar) received ministry training through a program called Contenders Discipleship Initiative (CDI).  This program was developed and directed by Village Missions.  We attended these courses 2 nights a week, for 2.5 hours a night for 3 years.  Before getting into ministry, Jay was a High School teacher for 26 years, spending 21 of those years in Caledonia, MN.

I have been involved in ministry for 3 years.  For the first 2.5 years, we were part of an organization called Village Missions.  Village Missions is an organization that partners with rural churches in North America and Canada to provide missionary families to these churches.  We were placed as missionaries to a rural church in north central Minnesota, outside the small town of Sebeka, MN

I believe the word of God is infallible, without error.  As 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” God has given us all the Great Commission, that WE are to go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us to do. 

We are so blessed to be a part of the congregation of Zion Evangelical Church of Brownsville.  God calls us all to be obedient to His will and His plan.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  God has great plans for us and for the church. We can’t wait to see what those are. 

Pastor Jay’s Cell Phone:  507-429-8110

Pastor Jay’s Email: jaytolleson704@gmail.com

Church Council Members President – Steve Serres
Vice President – Roger Levendoski
Financial Sec. – Garry Voytovich
Treasurer – Diane Petersen
Recording Secretary – Bob Scanlan
Trustee – Jenna Scanlan
Trustee – Doug LeJeune,
Trustee – Jessie Schedivy,

Church Administrative Assistant – Jenna Scanlan