Jonathan Archer Sr. is the second son of the theologian Gleason Archer. He grew up in Pasadena, CA, attended college at Pasadena Nazarene College, which is now Point Loma University. During this time Jon and Joan fulfilled a summer mission with Ralph Winter in San Jaun Osuncalco, Guatemala.

His entry into the pastorate began in 1970-76 when a Duarte High School Bible study grew into a full-blown church named Duarte Christian Fellowship. From that ministry numerous young men and women were discipled and subsequently have gone into the world as pastors and leaders in missions and other service areas.

In 1976, the Archer’s received a call to be an assistant pastor at People’s Church in Westwood, CA. While in Westwood, they helped start a Calvary Chapel in Westwood , and Lake Almanor Community Church at Lake Almanor. In 1978, they founded Janesville Christian Fellowship Church and pastored there for the next ten years. In 1989, they moved to Susanville, and joined First Baptist Church. In 1997, they founded Mountainside Church in Susanville, CA. In 2009, Mountainside merged with Susanville Christian Fellowship Church (a church that had its beginnings with JCF at Janesville, CA). Jon became one of the three teaching elders in this merged congregation. It was while at this church that Jon received his call as interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Brawley, CA.

Concurrent with ministry, Jon taught biology for 40 years, 30 of them at Lassen High School in Susanville, CA. For the past years Jon served on the Lassen Union High School Board of Education, a position that he resigned in his move to Brawley.

He serves with Joan, his wife of 47 years. His son Jonathan, daughter-in-law MaryAnn, and grandchildren Anna and Daniel attend FBC with them.