Global Mission Partnerships: Dominican Republic

A member from the Peniel Dominican Brethren congregation in Santo Domingo is baptized. (Photo by Irv Heishman)

Even the children help build the new Boca Chica church building. Boca Chica is a thriving Dominican-Haitian community of faith in northeast Santo Domingo (Photo by Irv Heishman)

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Mission in the Dominican Republic was founded following Hurricane David in 1979 through the efforts of Puerto Rican Brethren who came to the aid of Dominican families in the Viajama community. Numerous Puerto Rican and US Brethren offered support and guidance throughout the past 28 years. (Click here for a brief mission history of Dominican Republic Mission). Today, there are approximately 1650 members in 22 Iglesia de los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic) churches.

Active evangelism and church planting continue with energy and vitality--most churches have at least one daughter church or preaching point. A four-year Theological Program helps fill the leadership needs of a growing church. Two cycles of theological students, numbering 36 students, have graduated over a period of 10 years.

Mission coordinators Irv and Nancy Heishman (click here to read about their faith journey) walk with Dominican leaders to build the church and represent the U.S. church. They also assist groups wanting to be involved in the mission and the Dominican church. They guide Dominican leaders and committees, encouraging Brethren identity and supporting them in their leadership roles.

Beth Gunzel supervises a micro-loan program, which supports community economic development, and reaches 500 participants in 17 Dominican Brethren churches; and Norman and Carol Spicher Waggy served four months in 2007 to develop a preventative health ministry. This may result in a continuing ministry.

Read about accomplishments and current challenges for Dominican Brethren mission.

The Dominican mission is supported by gifts to the Church of the Brethren General Board. The micro-loan program is undergirded by the Global Food Crisis Fund. Special gifts have aided a variety of projects including Vacation Bible School, church construction, the Rotating Student Loan Fund (enabling emerging leaders to access university education).