Discovering joys, challenges, and God at work with the churches in the Dominican Republic

By Sharon Brugger Norton

A powerful and eye-opening trip to the Dominican Republic in February and March inspired me to share both the joys and challenges we encountered there, along with glimpses of how God is at work through his people.

The journey began with the annual conference of Iglesia de los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic) at the “Brisa Del Mar” retreat center along the coast—a beautiful setting filled with energy, passion, and deep hunger for God. Around 100 to 150 leaders, families, and congregants gathered from across the country.

Worship was vibrant and expressive, marked by bold faith and heartfelt engagement. The theme, “Manifestation of the Beloved,” centered on Haggai 2, reminding us that all we have belongs to the Lord and that God wants to show himself to us.

Beyond worship, the gathering included important conversations about the future of the church. Leaders wrestled with questions of unity, structure, and accountability, including how to respond when congregations separate. While these discussions were not easy, they reflected a sincere desire to honor God and strengthen his church.

In Los Toros, we saw a remarkable example of long-term ministry faithfulness. A pastor and his wife have spent 25 years investing in their community. Their work includes a Christian school that has grown one grade at a time, agricultural projects that help sustain the school, and even a budding beekeeping initiative. Their vision is holistic—meeting both spiritual and physical needs—and their impact is evident. It was fun to bump into Eric Reamer of Brethren World Mission, who happened to be there helping with construction!

In another community, Las Yayas, a church hopes to expand its building to serve as both a primary school and a theological training center. With repairs and renovations, the space could also generate income by hosting events. This model—combining ministry with sustainability—is a growing priority across the region.

We also encountered creative ideas for income generation, such as tilapia fish farming. In one location, demand for fish exceeds supply, showing real economic potential.

This reality affects every aspect of life. When people are afraid to leave their homes due to the risk of deportation, they cannot work. Without work, families struggle to eat, children may not attend school, and churches lose the ability to sustain themselves through giving.

Yet amid these hardships, the faith of these communities is strong and inspiring. Churches are growing—even meeting in homes, under tarps, or in simple structures made of tin and wood. In some places, believers gather in cramped front rooms, with others standing outside in the street just to be part of the service.

Their resilience reminds us that the church is not defined by buildings but by people committed to following Jesus, even in adversity.

Leadership and evangelism

Throughout the trip, we also saw encouraging signs of leadership development. In one congregation, a trained theologian is ready to serve more fully if resources become available. In another setting, Roger Moreno provided teaching on evangelism and leadership, equipping local believers to share the gospel effectively.

These moments highlight a key opportunity: investing in leaders who are already present and committed. With training, mentoring, and resources, they can multiply the impact of ministry across the country.