Pray for the Field Forum that will take place January 31, 2011 - February 4, 2012. Rev. Daniel Messner from the Shawnee Alliance Church (OH) will share messages on the theme of transition, as well as give training in the area of counseling skills. Pray that it would be a time of physical rest for the team as well as spiritual renewal.
Praise the Lord for the safe arrival of two new missionary units: Rick and Tammie Romano (Jonathan, Rebecca, Moriah and Abigail) and David and Aleah Nishizaki. These two families will be coordinating work teams in Santiago. God has already provided homes for them, but they are in urgent of a car. Pray for these two families as they adjust to the country and culture.
Pray for Alianza's (Punta Cana Village) discipleship ministry. Presently, 21 people are involved in discipleship classes. Pray that their faith would continue to deepen, and that many of them would begin to disciple others. There are a number of people who we are hoping will soon begin either discipleship or a pre-discipleship evangelistic Bible Study. Pray that God will continue calling many in Punta Cana to follow Him as faithful disciples.
Pray for Jeff Climie and his team of adult leaders as they develop plans for the youth ministry in the coming months. Since September the church has had monthly youth activities with a very good response on the part of the local youth. Pray for God’s leading in planning activities, outreach, discipleship and other aspects of the youth ministry. Pray also that many youth will come to know Jesus as Savior.
Pray for Alianza's (Punta Cana Village) church planting team,as they seek God's clear direction for the new year. They will be discussing some goals and plans for 2012, and will later get input from the church advisory committee formed last November.
Praise the Lord for the Encounter cell church's new location on the major boulevard running through Santo Domingo. Planted in 2000, the church has met in at least 8 different places, but it was always the leadership's dream to be located in a visible area of the city. The move has been a tremendous move of faith and represents a considerable monthly financial commitment, but the congregation has worked together to donate personal time and resources to reduce the costs. There is still much work to be done and many financial obligations to be met, but we praise the Lord for His blessing upon this ministry. Pray that the church will continue to have a vision to reach out into the unsaved population of Santo Domingo.
Pray for John Schleh as he works alongside the National Church Missions Committee and the Alliance youth (18 - 35 yrs old) to plan the National Church's first missionary trip outside of the country's borders. An exploratory trip into Haiti is tentatively scheduled for April, and the missions trip is tentatively planned for the Fall 2012.
The Mission has officially begun a five-year transition phase out of the Dominican Republic. Missionaries serving in the new Punta Cana church plant (2011) could remain a little longer, as well as the work team coordinators. Pray for our team as we focus on the most urgent needs to be met in the National Church. Field Director John Schleh is working with National Church leadership to provide training in church planting, prayer and mentoring.