The Dominican Republic held its first children’s missionary orientation 16-17 July. Nearly 50 children attended the event, and several national and district Nazarene Missions International, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, and Global Missions leaders and volunteers were present. Many church leaders even traveled from Guatemala and Puerto Rico to attend the event.

“The retreat was created with the purpose of cultivating in children the responsibility of responding to God’s call to make disciples in all nations,” said Elba Duson, a Global Missions staff member from the Dominican Republic East district.

Through games and activities, the children learned the true meaning of missions and how they can be part of God’s mission. They received lessons on holistic, cross-cultural, and local missions.

The children learned about missionaries throughout history and about the importance of prayer by praying for their communities, families, and missionaries. Throughout the event, they also sang songs and watched a theatrical presentation, and many kids were given awards and prizes for various activities and accomplishments.

“As we concluded the event, we were convinced that if we invest more time in teaching our children to hear the voice of God, they will not only dream of being missionaries, but they will be our future missionaries,” Duson said.

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica