We have been involved at Harvest since 2016 and were sent out to the Dominican Republic in August of 2020. We serve at Freedom Christian School discipling Haitian and Dominican students from the local sugar cane fields. Our goal is to see students love God, love others and identify the way God has designed them and in turn use those skills and abilities to bring glory to God and spread the fame of His name. 

Freedom International Ministries

Our ultimate desire is to see people glorify the Lord in all areas of life. We believe that long-term discipleship is the way that lives are changed.  We want to use programs that will best reach our children and families with the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the biggest advantages of our programming is that it opens doors and opportunities. We would consider it a huge success if someone headed for illiteracy became a doctor and used medicine to make God famous. In the same way, if a person who loved farming went back to work in the sugarcane fields for the glory of God, that, too, would be a great achievement. Specifically, we want to train people to glorify God in 3 areas: by walking in relationship with the Lord, developing wholesome relationships with others, and using their God-given uniqueness to live for Him. 

Freedom Christian School

We have a bilingual, Christian school near the town of Ramón Santana. Over 100 sugarcane villages are found in the surrounding area. Our school serves families of Ramón Santana and the nearby bateyes. We have 460 students enrolled in PreK4 through 9th grade for the 2022-2023 school year. Each year, another grade will be added. A student who attends Freedom from preschool to high school graduation will have 18,000 hours of contact time with teachers and staff who love the Lord. 

Other Areas of Discipleship

Our camp ministry specifically targets the students in our school. The goal for camp is the same as in the classroom: long-term discipleship. We want to create opportunities for students to get outside of their normal routine - to be a part of an environment that lends itself to thinking deeply about life and daily decisions. 

We are invested in sharing the Word of God with the children in the bateyes. We teach through the Bible in weekly increments, rotating through the various villages we work in. Through our VBS programs and teachings, we desire to see children come to Christ. Our goal is then to help develop them in their faith. As the Freedom team grows, we hope to expand this ministry to surrounding bateyes so that we can reach more kids. 

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for patience and understanding as we come alongside our teachers in the discipleship process. Pray that they will remain teachable and willing to put in the consistent work necessary to meet their teaching expectations but also the time to walk closely with our students as first line disciplers.

• Pray for our students that the seeds of faith that are planted and cultivated daily would bear fruit in a vibrant, daily walk with the Lord. 

• Pray that the Lord would raise up committed individuals willing to shoulder this kingdom work for the long term. The task ahead is overwhelming at times and we pray for more workers to accomplish what He has set before us here in the DR.

Our story and calling first began when we met in the Dominican Republic- Adoni’s home country. We met while Adoni was serving in ministry as coordinator of community development. Kendra came to the DR to serve one summer in this ministry as well. The rest is history!

We first encountered The Navigators in the Dominican Republic as well. We were greatly impacted by Navigator staff who took time to disciple us as an engaged couple. We got married and moved to Fishers, Indiana in 2016. Harvest was the first church we visited- and that became our home church. God continued to deepen our passion for discipleship and Life-to-Life ministry. We served with The Navigators International Student Ministry at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) from 2018-2022.

Currently, God is calling us back to Adoni’s home country-The Dominican Republic- to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His kingdom into the nation through spiritual generations of laborers- living and discipling among the lost. As Navigators, disciplemaking is our heartbeat and our calling. We establish young believers in their faith, lead groups in studying and applying the Word, and help others catch a vision for investing in the spiritual growth of friends, creating a ripple effect of new spiritual generations who follow Jesus.

This is our hope as we seek relationships with youth and young adults in the rural and impoverished communities of the Dominican Republic. This time in their lives is crucial- as many youths are curious and available, to know the Gospel and be discipled.  We want to walk alongside them- in life, in prayer, in reading The Word, and in obedience to the Word. We hope to ignite a generation who truly know Christ, who seek to make Him known and desire to help others do the same.

PRAYER POINTS

• We are currently State-side as we finish up training and fundraising. Please pray that we reach our funding goal by June- so that we can begin preparations for moving and transitioning our family overseas this September 2023.

• We’ve experienced various set-backs and discouragements, as we have gotten closer and closer to moving to the DR. God has been faithful to carry us through these moments- and our faith has been strengthened as we’ve continued to rely on Him. Please continue to pray for us, our marriage, our children, and our calling- as we know the enemy will attack anything to discourage us.