Dominican Republic: Church inaugurates 25 new temples

Central Adventist Church of Nagua in Dominican Republic is among 25 new churches inaugurated recently,  thanks to the contributions of thousands of church members across the island. Images courtesy of Dominican Union.

February 18, 2013 – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic…Bernardo Medina/IAD Staff

Adventist Church President of the Dominican Republic Pastor Cesario Acevedo (center), cuts the inaugural ribbon of the newly built Central Adventist Church of Nagua, on December 22, 2012, while his executive secretary Pastor Teofilo Silvestre (left) and treasurer Moise Javier hold the ribbon.

Maintaining existing worship facilities and building new ones is a goal Seventh-day Adventist church leaders in the Dominican Republic have to keep pace with the needs of a fast growing membership. During a recent series of dedication ceremonies, 25 new churches throughout the island country were inaugurated.

“This has only been possible thanks to God’s grace and to the thousands of church members who have contributed towards the development of the church throughout the island,” said Pastor Cesario Acevedo, president of the church in the Dominican Republic.

“We praise God because 25 new congregations can worship and glorify the name of our Lord in a dignified and proper way,” he added.

With a membership of nearly 282,000 attending some 686 temples, the church leadership developed a plan to better some of the temples which are in precarious conditions and in great need to be rebuilt, church leaders said.

Church members jumped on board thanks to a united church, said Moise Javier, treasurer for the church in the Dominican Republic. “Each member has recognized its responsibility and is willing to contribute with its talents and resources in order to accomplish great things for the church and the community.”

Pastor Cesario Acevedo speaks during the inaugural ceremony for the La Fe Adventist Church of Higuey in the eastern part of the island on Dec. 29, 2012.

The Faith Adventist Church in the city of Higuey in the eastern part of the island was the 25th new church to be dedicated, an event which took place on the last Sabbath of 2012. Church leaders and hundreds of members filled the church with a special thanksgiving program to commemorate the new temple.

Twenty-five more Adventist churches are scheduled to be rebuilt and remodeled this year, administrators said. Administrators have no doubts about reaching the goal this year thanks to a committed membership.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic operates a hospital, a university, dozens of primary and secondary schools and 20 radios stations throughout the island.

For more on the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic, visit adventistas.org.do