Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
As evangelistic efforts are wrapping up at hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist Churches throughout the Dominican Republic this weekend, church organizers are working on the finishing touches of what promises to be a unique live satellite event themed Pentecost and More from Santo Domingo’s El Palacio de Los Deportes stadium.
The live program, set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 24, will feature a special celebration consisting of massive local and international baptisms through live broadcasts from each of Inter-America’s 15 regions. Hope TV, Esperanza TV, Nuevo Tiempo, 3ABN, 3ABN Latino and Red A.D.venir will carry the entire event live.
The three-hour production has taken the coordination of hundreds of local church leaders, pastors, laypersons, and television production crew to showcase the results of the planned evangelistic crusades which begun earlier this year throughout the country.
Because of radio and television spots regularly announcing the event in the Dominican Republic, thousands of people are expected to attend the event and thousands more to view it through 40 cable companies which will carry the program live.
“We are happy to announce that the Seventh-day Adventist Church will baptize more than 1,400 people into the church during the special program which will feature our Adventist World Church President,” said Pastor Silvestre Gonzalez, executive secretary and spokesperson for the church in the Dominican Republic during a short interview in Telesistema 11's largest national viewed evening television program called Chévere Nights.
Pastor Gonzalez went on to say that nearly 5,000 Dominicans have given their lives to Jesus Christ during the church’s evangelistic efforts. He added that thousands of young people are planning to march around the main streets of the capital city beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, spreading messages of healthful living and happiness in knowing Jesus.
Such events aren’t only planned in the Dominican Republic, says Pastor Balvin Braham, Associate Ministerial Secretary for the church in Inter-America.
“All throughout our unions, [Sabbath] afternoon activities are planned throughout our churches, to welcome the new members, discuss evangelism strategies with local church leaders and members, and youth activities as well,” Pastor Braham added.
For more information on Inter-America’s Pentecost and More satellite event, visit www.interamerica.org