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 30 years. Today, there are approximately 1,650 members in 21 congregations.
Active evangelism and church planting continue with energy and vitality–most churches have at least one daughter church or preaching point. The Iglesia de los Hermanos in the Dominican Republic continues to work in their respective communities and the work of the Lord Jesus continues.
News from the Dominican Republic
- International guests at Annual Conference come from churches in Burundi, Dominican Republic, India, Nigeria, Spain, Venezuela
International guests at the 2024 Annual Conference include top leadership from several Church of the Brethren sister denominations around the world as well as a number from B.E.S.T. in Nigeria.
- Brethren Disaster Ministries works with church in the DR to aid displaced Haitians
The staff of Brethren Disaster Ministries and Iglesia de los Hermanos (the Church of the Brethren) in the Dominican Republic (DR) are working together on an effort to aid displaced Haitians. A grant of $5,000 is being requested from the Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to provide emergency food to Haitian citizens fleeing across the border to the Dominican Republic and away from the violence in Haiti. Haiti and the DR share the same Caribbean island.
- Global Mission representatives visit the DR to discuss the separation in the church
From June 9-11, as part of an ongoing attempt by the Global Mission office of the Church of the Brethren in the US to encourage unity and reconciliation in the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic (Iglesia de los Hermanos Republica Dominicana), retired pastor Alix Sable of Lancaster, Pa., and Global Food Initiative (GFI) manager Jeff Boshart met with church leaders.
- EDF grants given for tornado rebuilding project in Kentucky, aid for Ukraine refugees, among other needs
Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) for a tornado response and rebuilding program in Kentucky, aid to Ukrainian refugees and others affected by the war, a hurricane response in Honduras, projects of the Church of the Brethren in the Democratic Republic of Congo, among other needs.
- Global Church of the Brethren Communion holds meeting in the Dominican Republic
For the first time since 2019, leaders of the Global Church of the Brethren Communion met in person, hosted by the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic (DR). Leaders representing Brazil, the DR, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, Spain, and the United States met for five days, including days of meetings and visits to agricultural projects.
- Hurricane Ian causes devastation across central Florida, Hurricane Fiona relief continues in Puerto Rico
Brethren Disaster Ministries staff and the Atlantic Southeast District leadership are continuing to reach out to affected churches and communities to learn of the impact of the storm and the needs that have developed. So far there are no reports of injury among church members, but there is news of minor damage in two churches.
- Brethren in Dominican Republic make small but important steps toward reconciliation
Small, but important steps were taken this year in the life of Iglesia de los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren) in the Dominican Republic.
- Global Mission creates Country Advisory Teams
The Global Mission office of the Church of the Brethren has instituted a new communication tool named Country Advisory Teams (CATs). These teams are a way for the Global Mission leadership to stay informed and better understand each country or region where Church of the Brethren partners are involved.
- Hoovers close out their work with Global Mission and Service
Jason and Nicole Hoover have concluded their work with the Church of the Brethren Global Mission and Service program in the Dominican Republic in order to begin working with Solid Rock International.
- Three new grants support disaster recovery, farming efforts
Three new grants from Church of the Brethren funds will aid projects in Honduras, Indonesia, and Haiti, responding to disasters and assisting training for farmers. Two of the grants come from the denomination’s Emergency Disaster Fund. The most recent provides $18,000 in emergency relief for Honduras, which suffered severe flash flooding in its southern region