More than 150 attended the first Dominican Republic pastors and spouses retreat in Juan Dolio. General Superintendent Jerry Porter and his wife, Toni, spoke on forgiveness, prayer, and godly attitudes conducive to real heart change.

Participants identified the highpoint of Dr. Porter’s lessons as the time of prayer. Signs were posted throughout the meeting area where pastors and spouses went to pray specifically for their marriage, extended families, health, the church, peace and justice in the world, and those who do not yet know Christ.  Those involved called it “a powerful time” that refreshed their calling and purpose.

Dominican Republic pastors and spouses also contributed to the ministry of the church in Aruba by giving an offering of $4,500 pesos ($140 U.S.) to help send Pastor Miguel Yuden, superintendent of the Oriental District in the Dominican Republic. He will be teaching History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene there for two weeks to Rev. Carlos Moises, pastor of the Nazarene church in Aruba, to assist in fulfilling his requirements in the course of study towards ordination. The Aruba congregation is also invited to the class.

The retreat was a time of joy for Dr. and Mrs. Porter, who served their first assignment as missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene in the Dominican Republic in the mid-1970s. Many of those present at the retreat were the Porter’s co-workers in those early beginnings of the work of the church there. 

(News supplied by Caribbean Communications Office)