A Dream Come True!

While most of the Dominican Republic is still considered to be 3rdWorld, it is definitely changing and changing rapidly.  Due to technology and “stable” government, the younger generation of Dominicans are more educated than ever.  Tens of thousands of young Dominicans study in the ever growing number of universities and are graduating with Bachelor degrees ready to make their difference on the world.

However, one of the greatest needs in the Christian realm of Latin America is better equipped pastors. Too many pastors preach the Word of God to “the best of their ability” without properly being trained in courses such as Hermeneutics (how to interpret the Bible).  While we all know and believe that God can use “whoever He wants, whenever He wants and however He wants,” there is great benefit to proper ministerial training.

Therefore, after many years of prayer and research, the day has finally arrived!  Eastern Dominican Christian Mission has partnered with “El Centro de Entrenamiento para Lideres (The Center of Leadership Training),” a ministry of the Christian Church mission Disciple Makers (www.disciplemakers.org) in order to offer online College Level Bible courses.   In order to Equip and Empower national leaders, EDCM uses live online classes along with live workshops covering topics such as Hermeneutics, Survey of the Old Testament, Survey of the New Testament, Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ, Homiletics, Church Planting, Leadership 101 and Pastoral Ministries.
 

The Bible Institute primarily focuses its training in three main areas:

The Head (El Conocer):  Each student will study five college level Bible classes such as Hermeneutics, Homiletics, New Testament Survey, Old Testament Survey, The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.  These classes will be held online in a classroom setting using modern technology.

The Heart (El Ser): Each student will participate in a minimum of 12 live workshops led by different Christian leaders, American and Dominican. This section will focus on the heart of a pastor, spiritual disciplines of a pastor, how to maintain a healthy marriage while in ministry and other spiritual matters that pastors are confronted with on a daily basis.

The Hands (El Hacer):This portion of the Institute will be taught through live workshops and will focus on the practical side of ministry. These practical workshops will include topics such as How do plan and organize a worship service, How to handle finances (personal and ministerial), How to use your Spiritual Gifts and Christian Leadership 101.

We praise God for bringing this dream to fruition and we pray that this Bible Institute will help disciples make disciples who make disciples.