More than 500 attend 13th Dominican Conferencia.

Record attendance was a highlight of the 13th Annual Conferencia of Iglesia de Los Hermanos (Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic) Feb. 19-22 in Santo Domingo. Twenty of the church's 24 congregations or preaching points sent delegates, and more than 500 people attended. The theme, "Renewed in the Same Spirit," came from Romans 12:2.

Moderator Wilson Nova welcomed visitors from congregations in Puerto Rico and guest preachers Ruben DeOleo and Guillermo Encarnacion from Atlantic Northeast District. Encarnacion, director of theological education in the DR, said,"Although it has been a difficult year overall for Haitians, the church is one place where Haitians and Dominicans can dwell together in unity." He pointed out that the new moderator, Anastasia Buena, and Ernesto Mereciel, moderator elect and pastor of the Mendoza congregation (the largest in the conference), are both of Haitian descent. Nova, pastor of the Bonao church plant, was elected as the new president of the board.

In business items, delegates approved a redesigned medical ministry that envisions doctors traveling from a central location to hold holistic faith-centered medical and health education clinics organized by churches; approved guidelines for congregations considering building projects; and approved a budget including an increase to help churches with pastors' salaries.

Source: Newsline 4/02/2004 top