CBC Mission Teams Visit Santiago
Kevin Bree | January 16, 2012 ;)
Second-year CBC students performing a skit in a park in Santiago, Dominican Republic. (Click to enlarge)A group of second-year Charis Bible College students, including student teams from across the US, the UK, and Kenya spent the first week of December in the Dominican Republic. The group, led by CBC instructor, Dr. Delron Shirley, was hosted by full-time missionaries, Tim and Trena Johnson, at the Casa Grande Centro de Misiones Internacional mission compound in Santiago.
The schedule for the week was packed with hands-on ministry opportunities including a children’s crusade, a visit to a feeding center where the team helped serve lunch to the children in an impoverished community, and a pastors’ and leaders' conference. ;)
The students ministered at a children's crusade called Kids Camp. 200 kids attended the event. (Click to enlarge)The students took the lead in each event performing puppet shows, original student-written dramas, sharing testimonies, preaching, and praying for those who responded to the end-of-service altar calls. Although none of the student-missionaries spoke Spanish and most of them had no previous experience working with an interpreter, they had no problem communicating the love of God and the almost-too-good-to-be-true-news of the gospel with the audiences.
The bond of love between the students and the people was clearly visible and was particularly noticeable at the kids' crusade where the children’s bright faces enthusiastically ;)
One of the larger churches the group visited. The pastor of this church was offered a Major League Baseball contract in the United States, but turned it down to serve the Lord.
(Click to enlarge)displayed their joy during the student performances. Their enthusiasm could also be seen as the CBC students prayed for the children and handed out candy as they left the meetings.
Each outreach was highlighted with salvations, and the manifest power of God through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Even on the team's free day, when the students took a break to explore their surroundings, they made time to share the gospel with the local vendors leading at least one to Christ.
During one morning outreach, the team performed their skits and Tim Johnson preached a wonderful ;)
This is a church in one of the poorest neighborhoods the students visited. (Click to enlarge)message to the people in the park. More than 20 people, mostly young men, received Jesus. At the conclusion of the morning's event, the Holy Spirit drew one CBC-Colorado student, Leesa Hamilton's, attention to a scantily clad young woman. Leesa noticed the young twenty-something as she stood off in the distance, scowling as she watched the ministry taking place. "I felt the compassion of Christ for this girl. I knew that prostitution was a great source of trade in that city, and that she was dressed like someone in that profession," recalled Leesa. With her heart and eyes set on the young woman, Leesa approached. She wrapped her arms around her and felt the woman stiffen up. Leesa ;)
Joy Southworth (left) shared her testimony through interpreter and host, Trina Johnson. While in the Dominican she also received her calling from the Lord. "God captured my heart and spoke to me and said, 'Here.' I not only believe I'm going back, but I can't wait until God returns me to these precious people," said Joy (Click to enlarge)maintained the embrace, and she could feel the love of God flowing out of her right into the young woman's heart. "I felt her body begin to relax and receive. When I finally let her go, I looked into her face and smiled at her, and she smiled back at me," said Leesa. Although she admitted she doesn’t know what God said to her through their embrace, Leesa knew for sure that God had touched the young woman. "I knew He was telling her just what she needed to hear, Leesa said confidently.
Clearly, based on Leesa's fond memory, the heart changes realized during this CBC second-year mission trip weren't limited to the Dominicans. Some of the team members testified that they had received divine directions for their future ministries and even the call to missionary work during this trip.
Reader Comments (6)
This was our mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Such a great fruit bearing trip for the kingdom of God!
From US, UK ....and KENYA??? Wow. We here in Kenya would like to connect with all other Kenyans who are into God's Unconditional Love & Grace.
This trip was truly a blessing!!
I'm Kenyan too & had no idea that there exists a Charis Bible College in Kenya.
@ Ruth Ivy - Jambo! CBC College is in Kampala Uganda. They will be having a new intake in 2013. We (My wife Grace & I) attended this college and we are now pastoring a new church in Nairobi GRACE EXPERIENCE - KENYA (Ongata Rongai Church) - ngurekim@hotmail.com
I had the honor of going to the DR as a 3rd yr. lead!! This trip was amazing from many aspects. I saw a group of 2nd yr. students break out of their comfort zones and allow the Holy Spirit to lead them with love and compassion in a country hungry for the love and grace of God. Lives were changed and hearts were melted together as unity was created among the team. Thank you Lord for this opportunity to be your hands and feet and thank you Andrew and Jamie for the vision of mission trips during the 2nd yr. of schooling here at CBC Colorado!!