Annual Assembly Highlights
Celebration of the 10th Annual Assembly of the Conference of Churches of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic took place February 23 to 25 in San Juan de la Maguana.
More than 150 people at the assembly journeyed on to
Fondo Negro for the church's dedication Sunday, February 25. |
Worship: Included joyous music and worship in three services, two devotionals, one child dedication, preaching by Moderator David Reyes, Pastor Jimmy Díaz (Castañer, Puerto Rico), and Gerald Crouse, receiving of two preaching points as new fellowships, Ebenezer-Bonao and Sabana Torsa (each with 25 or more baptized members), celebration of bread & cup communion, the consecration of Eduardo Montero (Peniel) as Moderator and Félix Arias Mateo (San Juan) as Moderator-Elect.
Statistics:
- 50 delegates representing 13 congregations, 3 fellowships and 6 preaching points
- approximately 175 total Assembly registrants
- offerings & registrations of RD$28,704.50 (as of 1 March 2001 the exchange rate is RD$16.80 = US$1.00) - the highest total for an assembly in our 10-year history
Action Taken:
- Approved reports by Conference leadership
- Celebrated the completion of the year 2000 with a financial surplus of RD$18,147.05 after beginning the year with an RD$108,053.00 deficit.
- Approved a process for annual visits to evaluate spiritual health in every congregation and project.
- Approved a plan for the organization of boards or leadership teams in every congregation.
- Approved a plan to eliminate Conference pastoral subsidies and implement congregational subsidies as needed beginning with the year 2002.
- Approved that all congregations will be responsible for purchasing their own Sunday School material beginning with the year 2002.
- In relation to the Church of the Brethren (USA), that the Dominican Conference of Churches be recognized as a national church and that beginning in January 2002, the grant subsidy being received from the General Board (USA) begin reducing so that after 15 years it is finished.
- Approved that the areas of mutuality in the construction projects be reviewed.
- Approved a policy that if a deviation in plans from the Conference approved building plan results in a budget increase, the increase will be borne by the congregation receiving the building.
Brethren Mission House Volunteers Begin Full Schedule of Classes
On March 1 the four Brethren Mission House teachers, Jewel Sheeler, Denise Negley, Daniel Greenawalt and Kenda Negley, along with teacher coordinator Sally Jo Caracheo, began teaching English classes in all 13 congregations and 3 fellowships. The volunteers in some instances have to leave by 5:30 a.m. to reach their morning classes and return late in the evening traveling up to 4 hours to reach the furthest churches. Pastors and congregational members as well as members of the communities are excited about this opportunity to learn English and see it as a real blessing. Keep the volunteers in your prayers as they travel and remember houseparents Earl and Barb Eby and sons Chris and Bryan as they provide a loving, uplifting, spiritually-enriching home environment for these busy volunteers. The teachers are serving a two-year term as Brethren Volunteer Service workers in conjunction with Brethren Revival Fellowship.
Bethany Seminary Class Comes To the Dominican Republic
Front row: Amy Messler, Brandy Fix, Becky Crouse, Jerry Crouse, Sharon Sparks.
Back row: Dan Ulrich, Jamie Risser.
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Bethany Seminary Professor Daniel Ulrich and four students arrived in Santo Domingo January 2 for a two-week visit with the Dominican Brethren. The group participated in lectures with Dominican Christians including Dr. Israel Brito and Dr. Jorge Cela. They accompanied the Los Guaricanos church in door-to-door evangelism as well as worship experiences. Professor Ulrich conducted a four-day theological conference in Spanish on the book of Romans with the 30 Dominican theological training students. Translation was provided for the Bethany students who included Brandy Fix, Amy Messler, Sharon Sparks (TRIM) and Jamie Risser. In evaluating the experience, one participant commented, "I was impressed with the evangelistic zeal of the Dominican churches, with the receptivity of many people to their message and with the role of evangelistic ministries in calling out and nurturing leaders for the church. Not all of their practices would be acceptable in my context, nevertheless their example challenges me to seek appropriate ways to evangelize in my community."
Workcamps Assist With New Building In Los Toros
Two workcamps from the Southern Pennsylvania District, one January 20-28 and the other March 3-10, have raised the funds as well as worked with the Dominican Brethren in Los Toros to build a new, larger church facility. The old building will be converted into Sunday School classrooms for this growing congregation under the leadership of Pastor David Reyes. The Chambersburg and West York Churches of the Brethren were responsible for these two workcamps. One workcamper, commenting on the highlights of the week said, "This entire trip was inspirational. The people here are so warm and friendly. You can feel God's love all around."
"I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow. What matters isn't those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow." 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 May we continue to thank God for the growth we see among the Dominican Brethren. Dios le bendiga! (God bless you!)
