Mission Photos

We hope that you can get an impression of the mission work through these photos.

First, some photos of the Christian Reformed church's ministry among the Haitians in the Dominican Republic.

Pastor Luisis baptises an adult believer in Rio Dulce of La Romana, 1995.

The Christian Reformed Church of Batey 412 - this church has grown under the faithful work of young Pastor Julio Cadet (bottom, center).

Most Haitians live in bondage to voodoo practices and shamans. Here, a man who has received Christ has brought out his voodoo fetishes and they are publicly burned. This is a common practice. In the photo is Pastor Manuel Feliz with whom we closely work. Taken at Batey(cane plantation village) Los Estantes, La Romana zone.

Haitians in the DR are mostly agricultural or construction workers. The largest agricultural industry is sugar cane. It is hard, dangerous work with lousy pay. Dominicans refuse to cut cane, but for the Haitians, it's a job."

Worship services in Los Estantes , a batey in La Romana. And in Los Angeles (Santo Domingo)

The Christian Reformed Church in Batey Cuya. Pastor Charilis, who supervises this chapel, is in the center.

We are involved in evangelism in the cities, training local church members and with youth.

We have been working to encourage the youth ministry of the churches in the Haitian communities. In San Pedro de Macoris, several churches have been working together in this ministry. These are photos from a recent youth retreat.

Click here for a photo of a youth rally in Batey Lechuga.

Another important aspect of our mission work has been assisting the church in getting adequate facilities for ministry, especially in helping the smaller congregations build chapels. Here, elder Lesima Desilis of the Christian Reformed Church in El Puerto, Hato Mayor province, drives the first stake for the chapel.

The building site of Batey 30 : pastor Andris Pie in the center started the church in about 1985.

Much of the assistance the mission provides for church buildings is through Mission Work Teams from North America. Come on down and help out!!!! Check out the Mission Work Team page for info and photos on how to participate!

Here are a couple more batey church photos...

A Sunday School class in the Christian Reforemd Church in Batey Matilla, where Pastor Favol Louis has been for 10 yrs.

Praise and worship!

The kids are beautiful.

The pastors and elders that serve in the churches are dedicated and hard working. The Lord has used these men to raise up his church in these difficult areas. Click here for a photo of a young preacher in San Pedro.

Our mission work has focused on leadership development since the beginning. Programs such as our Reformed Bible Institute contribute to in Biblical, theological and practical training.

A graduating class.of the Reformed Bible Institute...

We often consult with leaders of different church groups. Here, the national level church youth leadership participates in an evaluation.

It's a thrill to see the whole thing coming together, such as at the national assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in the D.R. p>

Over a hundred pastors and other church leaders meet for three days in fellowship and solidarity, hear reports, seek to make decisions and plans for the building of the church in unity.

Christian School photos

Reaching the kids is crucial to really transform lives, families and communities. Through COCREF (Colegios Cristianos Reformados - Christian Reformed Schools), thousands of children of Dominican and Haitian/Dominican descent are educated in Christ-centered environment, with love and care, and solid educational bases. Currently there are 21 schools, 100 teachers and supervisors and almost 5,000 students in the COCREF program. Please pray for the schools, the teachers and the students, especially that there would be a long-ranging effect of the Gospel through this ministry, that would help to bring about the transformation of many lives, families, communities and the whole country!

This is a very costly ministry, since the ministry has focused on poor "bateyes" and "barrios", where tuition must be kept low. Plus we invest heavily in the education of the teachers and supervisors. So if the Lord so leads you, you too can invest in this ministry(See the Mission Opportunities page).

Also look at the COCREF home page, with lots of info.

You can invest first, by your prayers. Second, by contributing to the financial support of the missionaries and the projects involved (See the Project Giving Guide), and also by ministering in person through a mission team or by volunteering to serve for a specific period of time(See the Mission Work Team page).

It's an experience that changes lives!

(all photos by Steve or Sandra Brauning, unless otherwise noted)

Return to Table of Contents