LOCATION: Dominican Republic
TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT: Our dream is to provide facilities for local pastors, various church leaders, and families, throughout the Dominican Republic, to obtain necessary biblical training and trades skills, in order to reach their communities for Christ and combat poverty.
MINISTRY FOCUS: Over 90% of Dominican Republic pastors and church leaders have little to no formal Bible training, and yet, they have such an immense desire to learn more about the Bible. Similarly, due to their poor living conditions, most pastors must work secular jobs during the week with acquired training through experience, not formal training.
Because of this considerable need, we are helping to build the Ministry Development Center (MDC) and Trade School. The MDC will house five dormitories, a 250-person meeting/training room, kitchen, dining hall, and other facilities. Church groups will be able to utilize the MDC for short or long-term training sessions and conferences.
The Trade School will offer individuals, especially pastors, the means to learn professional carpentry skills. A skilled carpenter can earn twice the amount of an unskilled labourer. It will also be situated in a community struggling with high unemployment – bringing hope to its residents!
I (Trent) am the project manager of the four-phase development plan for MDC, while also leading various church construction projects. I (Rhonda) handle the administration for these projects. I also assist families, children, and youth in a variety of ways, including visiting ChildCARE Plus children in their homes.
YOUR IMPACT: Your support will provide much-needed biblical and skills training for church leaders and families throughout the Dominican Republic, which will in turn transform entire communities!
MINISTRY HISTORY: We first served overseas by helping run an orphanage of 110 children, in Tanzania, Africa, from 2006 to 2009. The experience literally changed us all forever! After a year of learning Spanish in Costa Rica, we have now been ministering in the Dominican Republic since 2019.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- For wisdom and guidance on how best to glorify God by equipping, empowering, and enabling church and youth leaders in our local communities.
- For increased financial partnership for the Ministry Development Centre construction project, so that we can complete the facility.
- For sustained good health for both of us to do the work God has called us to do.
Picture descriptions
Left: Trent working on one of the ministry's construction sites.
Right: Rhonda visiting one of the ChildCARE Plus sponsored children at his home.
