Dominican Republic Pastors Conference...

I recently made a trip to the Dominican Republic with a team from Edmonton Orthodox Reformed Church (a URC) and Rev. Ken (Carlos) Herfst from Guatemala.  The point of the trip was two-fold: the Edmonton team of about 10 people was tasked with working on what, Lord-willing, will be a school some day for very poor children (who live near the dump).  The team worked very hard in the hot sun, and the work that they did was impressive.

As far as physical labour goes, I and Carlos had the much easier task.  We didn't actually help with the construction at all, for we were busy with the second purpose of the trip.  In previous years, Edmonton has invited different seminary students to come along with them and preach (in Spanish) in a number of different churches in the area that Dr. Silvia knows. (Dr. Silvia is working with the Luke Society and Word & Deed.  Pablo L., Reuben S., and I have each gone in previous years thanks to Edmonton's invitation.)  This year, however, Edmonton had the great idea of having a pastors' conference for the local pastors.  There were about 7 pastors and 7 students present, though the number did vary a little due to busy schedules.  The main speaker at the conference was Pastor Herfst.  He did an excellent job presenting and teaching a God-centered approach to the narratives in Scripture.  Rather than a moralistic approach ("Be like David and kill your giants"), he showed us how to see God as the central actor in Scripture.  We subsequently worked through two passages, one on the testing of Abraham (Gen. 22) and the other on Jairus's daughter (Luke 8), to put the tools to work.  For myself, I spoke on three different passages in Exodus (the burning bush, the lamb, and the law), with the purpose of connecting some of the dots of the OT narrative to the NT.  The conference was very well recieved by the pastors, so much so that they asked us to come back!  One pastor, a leader of a 400 pastor-strong denomination, was already planning a conference for this coming year.  I doubt if I will be able to go next year for various reasons, but Pastor Herfst is hoping to return.

It was a very enjoyable trip.  I learned a lot both from Pastor Herfst and his passion for wholistic mission (body and soul), and from the Dominican pastors.  Because of the need there, many of these churches are doing perhaps more in terms of relief than we are in North America.  I especially loved the singing with the pastors - Dominicans sure can sing!  A blessing and encouragement to be there!