In the Dominican Republic, church holds massive evangelistic efforts across the island
January 12, 2015 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens/IAD
Adventist Evangelist Mark Finley (right) speaks to more than 14,000 at Palacio de los Deportes Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic during the Adventist Church’s massive evangelistic campaign, held Jan 7-11, 2015. Pastor Armando Miranda, vice president for the Adventist world church translates Finley’s message. Courtesy of Dominican Union.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic concluded one of its largest evangelistic efforts ever held in the capital city of Santo Domingo last night. Thousands of people traveling in scores of buses came together at Palacio de los Deportes stadium to listen to Evangelist Mark Finley present the message of hope from Jan. 7-11, 2015.
The five-day evangelistic series themed “New Year New Life” drew more than 14,000 every night and gathered thousands more across the island who watched the series on the online in local churches, in homes, or listened on their radios.
“There is a glorious tomorrow in our future, the Bible says,” said Pastor Finley. “A world of hope, a world of joy, a world of peace, and health, where there is no sickness, nor death,” he said.
Finley conveyed a message of salvation to the gathering and reminded them to make use of opportunities to be joyous, live fully and prepare for heaven. His wife Earnestine Finley joined the evangelistic team in offering short health seminars every night on the eight natural remedies.
Finley thanked government officials of the Dominican Republic for the religious and political freedom in the nation.
Pastor Cesario Acevedo, president of the church in the Dominican Republic, church leaders and members doubled their efforts in preparation to the massive campaign “in view of this oral crisis that our society lives and the calamities besetting us,” said Acevedo. “Our church wanted to strengthen Dominican families and society with the presentation of the Word of God in a massive way.”
Acevedo shared that preparation began last April as evangelistic series began in 72 Adventist schools, continued with children, teens and adolescent across churches from June to August, evangelism focus on families, women’s ministries and communication, and the month of December was dedicated to special prayer for the success of the large evangelistic series in Santo Domingo.
Thousands traveled in buses from across Santo Domingo, to attend the five-day evening series. Courtesy of Dominican Union.
“This has been the largest attended mega evangelistic campaign we have had in more than 15 years,” according to Acevedo. “The church is growing fast and just recently, we have been able to reach 90 percent of the country with our FM station,” he added.
The series was covered on television and print media and transmitted live through a network of 20 radio stations as well as online.
“Our members are so committed to reaching those in their communities, it is a blessing to watch the Lord work through them,” added Acevedo.
Dozens of new believers have been baptized throughout the weekend series and some 3,000 baptisms are expected to take place on Jan. 17 during a special online ceremony at El Palacio de Los Deportes and throughout the island as well.
The Dominican Union overseas the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in four local conferences and two missions, more than 1,237 churches and companies with nearly 300,000 members. The church operates 72 primary and secondary schools, a university, a hospital and one radio station.
For more on the Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic visit adventistas.org.do