Northwoods Church and FEC Continue to Partner with DR Churches

Since 1946, FEC worked in the Dominican Republic to establish reproducing churches. When FEC full time missionaries left the country in 1992, partnerships with individual U.S. churches continued. Northwoods Church in Peoria, Illinois, has cultivated a partnership with Central Church in San Juan de la Maguana in the DR’s western region. In June, a Northwoods team led by Cal Rychener, Senior Pastor, joined Central Church leaders to offer a conference for Dominican pastors and church leaders.

The two-day conference hosted by Central Church brought over 250 pastors together from different denominations. The training focused on the theme “The Visible Church” with an emphasis on the pastor’s and church’s role in its community and its role in reaching into other communities through church planting and multiplication. Other Northwoods team members included Craig and Brenda Smith, and Noah Kneer.

Hal Lehman, FEC International Church Multiplication Director, also joined the group. Hal lived in the Dominican Republic for 6 years as an FEC missionary. In his role, he is exploring ways that FEC can continue to partner with church leaders in the Dominican Republic, especially equipping and encouraging pastors in rural areas. God continues to write His story in the Dominican Republic, and 75 years later, FEC continues to ask, “How can we help?”