We strongly believe that indigenous leaders are to be raised up to establish communities of worship in barrios and neighborhoods in needy areas of the world. T.E.A.R.S. believes that house groups serve as incubators in which the Lord will form a living, witnessing body to the secular community. T.E.A.R.S. missionaries plant churches that are independent, self-supporting and self-propitiating. We strongly believe that once a church is started, it is to be turned over completely to the leaders and the community that it is meant for.
Above: Church service in Maria Auxiliadora
Read El Camino’s Blog (external link)
Iglesia El Camino (”The Way” Church) in the barrio of Maria Auxiliadora started as a home church in 1997 and is now being used as a model church for T.E.A.R.S. “The Way” currently has 200 active participants and is growing through evangelistic cell groups that meet five nights out of the week. Other churches have been started in Jarabacoa, Jima, La Vega, Soto and Carmilitain. T.E.A.R.S. is continually seeking God in order to expand His church and kingdom.
T.E.A.R.S. started and supports a school of roughly 100 children in Maria Auxiliadora, D.R. Our education is offered to children in the barrio who would otherwise be without- absolutely free. This is what we believe in: providing justice to the poorest of the poor and opening doors for them to grow in God and impact their community. Through this school children are able to learn basic academics- from mathematics to reading and writing- as well as art and physical education. We also provide breakfast for our students each morning, ensuring that they are well nourished and ready to learn. Most importantly, though, TEARS School acts as an environment where children can come to know Christ and develop a passion to serve him in their lives.
T.E.A.R.S. has started a Bible Institute in La Vega. Eight individuals have already graduated and been ordained as ministers. With the spiritual, governmental and economical crisis that Haiti is facing, there is a mass exodus into the Dominican Republic. Our training program couldn’t have come at a better time. These graduates are now going out into Haitian communities within the D.R. as hands and feet of Jesus.
Above: A Haitian pastor-in-training & recent Bible Institute graduates
Since the first church was started in the D.R., T.E.A.R.S. has been training leaders in theology, study skills, leadership principles and technical skills (i.e. computer, language and trades). T.E.A.R.S. staff now consist of seven indigenous leaders that have been trained by Rod Davis. There is an on-going training that takes place for new pastors and indigenous leaders on a weekly basis. Our indigenous teaching staff for T.E.A.R.S. School receives seminars and workshops in addition to their college training.
We are well on our way to creating a Leadership Training Center to equip indigenous leadership for church and school settings. The center will facilitate seminars, conferences, and courses and will be readily available to local pastors and this growing generation of leaders.
Above: A leadership training seminar
On the local level, new believers in Christ are immediately encouraged to participate in a cell group and church activities and begin attending a series of classes that ground them in the foundations of the Christian Faith. Each one is taught to consider themselves a future leader in Christ. Emerging leaders are discipled weekly through small group meetings as well as attending programs in the local church.
T.E.A.R.S. Evangelistic Art includes all art forms. We believe that God gives us All gifts and talents to be used for His glory! An example of the outreaches in Evangelistic Art is the rap group “Virus.” Additionally, we are excited to be exploring the expression of God’s love and creative heart through ministry in drama and photography.
Above: a “Virus” Evangelistic rap concert. Fey with visiting artist Michelle Bonilla.
Members of the photo ministry and drama ministry.
