In the Dominican Republic, the Adventist Church celebrates the culmination of evangelistic efforts
Thousands of Seventh-day Adventist from across the Dominican Republic crowded Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo, to celebrate the church’s evangelistic efforts Day of Fellowship, Jan. 17, 2015. Images by Rene Gomez/IAD
January 18, 2015 | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens/IAD
There was standing room only as thousands of Seventh-day Adventists from across the Dominican Republic crowded the Palacio de los Deportes in Santo Domingo, to rejoice in their evangelistic efforts as they witnessed hundreds of baptisms and heard top world church leaders speak on Jan. 17, 2015.
Seventh-day Adventist Church President Ted N.C. Wilson challenged church members to build God’s church by spreading the good news of salvation.
More than 20,000 people crowded the 15,000-seat auditorium. Some grabbed a spot on the floor, sat on steps, or stood in the hallways while some 15,000 stayed outside to listen in on the live radio broadcast. Many left their hometowns in the middle of the night to get to the auditorium at 6:00a.m., local church leaders said.
Seventh-day Adventist President Pastor Ted N.C. Wilson spoke to the more than 1,800 baptismal candidates and the gathering and challenged them to continue to build God’s church, accept the Bible and spread the good news of salvation.
“Jesus is the rock and you are asked to build His church on the rock–on Jesus Christ,” said Pastor Wilson. “Build God’s church as you point people for Him, to His Holy Word, to His church, to His prophetic movement.”
Top Adventist church leaders from 12 world church regions participated in the special day of celebration.
The Adventist president was joined by 29 top church leaders from around the world who had spent the week in the nation to review and strategize initiatives for the coming months and years.
Some 3,052 baptisms took place during the course of the weekend in the capital city and throughout the nation between Jan. 16-17, thanks to the evangelistic efforts of local church leaders and members as the New Year New Lifefive-day evangelistic series concluded with Adventist Evangelist Mark Finley in Santo Domingo, Jan. 7-11, 2015.
Among the 1,800 baptisms held at the Palacio de los Deportes, one took center stage. Hiu Wang became the first Chinese believer to join the Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic.
Inter-American Division President Israel Leito with Hiu Wang before she was baptized into the church.
“Wang represents a group of believers the church has been working with through a Adventist missions center in Santo Domingo for the last year and a half. The center offers Spanish classes, cooking classes, study of the Bible and other activities, working to reach the growing Chinese population,” said Pastor Luis Miguel Acevedo who overseas the group.
Wang, who has three children, was baptized by Inter-American Division President Pastor Israel Leito, after President of the Northern Asia Pacific Division Pastor Jairyong Lee pronounced the baptismal prayer. Wang said she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to give her life to Jesus on the special national day of celebration in the country, called Dia de la Hermandad or Day of Fellowship.
The audience joined Pastor GT Ng, executive secretary of the Adventist world church, as he prayed for the Chinese ministry. The population of Chinese on the island is about 80,000 and growing, added Pastor Luis Miguel Acevedo.
“We praise the Lord for His guidance and the commitment of church members who have doubled their efforts for nearly a year to continue spreading the Word of God in their communities,” said Pastor Cesario Acevedo, president of the church in the Dominican Republic.
Acevedo thanked the work of Maranatha Volunteers International for their partnership in building some 150 churches across the country during the past 30 years. One recently built was in the community of Villa Caoba, in Villa Hermosa, La Romana, where top church leaders from around the world built a church and Sabbath School classroom for the local membership there last week.
Pastor Cesario Acevedo president of the church in the Dominican Republic.
“We thank you and your volunteers for making it possible to accommodate thousands of members in the churches you built,” said Cesario as he thanked President of Maranatha Don Noble and his team. “You build the churches and the Holy Spirit inspires our pastors and members to fill them and continue expanding.”
The day’s event was covered live via the church’s radio station, Radio Amanecer, via the internet and covered by the television and print media.
The program also featured music and drama performances.
Pastor Leito said administrators rejoice with the church in the Dominican Republic for their devotion to fulfilling the mission of the church. “Their enthusiasm and dedication to expanding God’s church not only in evangelism but financially contributing to the missions is a blessing to witness.”
A special musical performance depicting the life of Jesus and His return highlighted the Sabbath program.
The church in the Dominican Republic will speed up their efforts in preparing more disciples for the kingdom during the next two months and will take part in Inter-America’s Vision One Million baptismal celebration to take place on April 4, 2015.
There are some 300,000 Seventh-day Adventists worshiping in 1,237 churches and congregations in the Dominican Republic. The church oversees four conferences and two missions and operates some 72 primary and secondary schools, a university, a hospital and a radio station.
For more information on the church in the Dominican Republic, visit adventistas.org.do
To view a photo gallery of the Day of Fellowship celebration, click HERE