Ted and Jennifer served in Ethiopia full time from 2012 to 2019. Ted started the Christian Church of Ethiopia in the South Omo Valley and helped 8 unreached tribes with strategic planning for the church in Ethiopia and South Sudan. Additionally they continue to build churches and assist with income generating projects for the churches. Jennifer works with the self-sustainability projects of Ellilta Women at Risk, a ministry to prostitutes, sex trafficked girls and women at risk throughout Ethiopia.
Since leaving the field, the Bertlesons continue to promote and support the ministries and projects that they were involved with while living in Ethiopia. They have two daughters: Annelise (1988) and Karina (1991).