More than 1,300 women’s ministries leaders from across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic gathered on April 11, 2026, at the Brisas del Mar campsite in Najayo, San Cristóbal, for a congress focused on equipping them to grow, serve, and “flourish” in their homes, churches, and communities.

Held southwest of Santo Domingo, the gathering brought together representatives from congregations across the country for a full day of worship, music, and training sessions centered on strengthening their role in mission, including their involvement in the upcoming OneVoice27 global evangelism initiative.

Orpha de la Cruz, Women’s Ministries director of the Dominican Union and main organizer, said the congress is part of a broader effort to mobilize more than 127,000 women across the territory to actively engage in mission.

“Today we are here so that every woman can leave strengthened, equipped, and ready to flourish wherever God has placed her—at home, at work, and in her community—carrying out a mission that glorifies and honors His name,” she said. “Every plan God has placed in your life can be fulfilled, because His plans are always the best.”

Leaders call women to engage in OneVoice27 mission

During the opening session, Dominican Union President Teófilo Silvestre affirmed the vital role of women in advancing the church’s mission and pointed to the launch of the OneVoice27 global evangelism initiative as a key focus moving forward.

“We praise the Lord for this army of women,” Silvestre said, encouraging participants to remain committed to mission and continue growing in spirituality, evangelism, and service.

He explained that the initiative seeks to unite members across the territory in sharing the gospel simultaneously, particularly through digital platforms. With nearly 90 percent internet access in the country, he said, members are being called to intentionally use social media tools to share their faith and testimonies.

Church leaders outlined a phased plan that includes spiritual preparation, training, and coordinated outreach efforts, with a major territory-wide evangelistic initiative scheduled to launch July 17–25, 2026.

‘Flourishing’ as a wholistic approach to ministry

Centered on the theme “Flourish Where You Are,” the congress called women to embrace their role as part of a diverse, purposeful community—like a garden where each flower contributes its unique beauty. De la Cruz emphasized that every woman, regardless of her circumstances, is called to use her gifts to share the gospel and impact others.

She emphasized that flourishing is a wholistic journey—grounded in a personal walk with God and lived out through service and evangelism.

Throughout the congress, women were encouraged to grow spiritually, steward their resources with purpose to support both their families and the mission of the church, implement outreach projects, and share their stories as powerful expressions of God’s work—connecting with others and leading them to Christ.

Strengthening spiritual leadership and personal growth

Additional sessions focused on strengthening the spiritual life through practices such as prayer, fasting, and daily devotion, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a close, consistent relationship with God.

Sandra Pinto, Women’s Ministries director of the Inter-American Division (IAD), built on that message by encouraging women to embrace their calling to flourish wherever God has placed them. Drawing from the story of Ruth, she reminded participants that their background or current challenges do not limit God’s purpose.

In a second presentation on spiritual leadership, Pinto stressed that true leadership begins not with a title, but with personal communion with God. Using the example of Deborah, she urged women to lead from a place of spiritual strength and dependence on Him.

“Leadership is not about position,” Pinto said. “It is about allowing God to use you to guide and care for others spiritually.”

Women embrace digital evangelism opportunities

The congress also highlighted the growing role of digital evangelism as part of the church’s mission strategy.

Keila Trejo, social media expert and community manager for the IAD, led several presentations focused on helping women begin or strengthen their digital ministries.

She emphasized that digital ministry does not require perfection, but willingness, encouraging women to start with simple tools—such as messages, prayer groups, or personal testimonies—and to serve with authenticity and love.

“Our work is not to convert people,” Trejo added. “Our work is to show love and plant seeds. The transformation belongs to the Holy Spirit.”

During the afternoon session, more than 200 women shared how they are already using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to reach others with messages of hope, while many others expressed eagerness to begin. Trejo guided participants through practical steps for building an online strategy, including identifying their audience, selecting a platform, and defining content.

“We often wait for the perfect moment—when we have more time, more skills, or more confidence,” Trejo said. “But God is calling you just as you are, with what you already have, to share what He has done in your life.”

Inspired to strengthen their ministries

Participants shared that the congress left a strong spiritual and practical impact, inspiring many to return to their communities with renewed purpose and commitment to serve.

For Maria Liz Cepeda, 20, a nursing student at Dominican Adventist University and women’s ministries director at the 10 Commandments Adventist Church in Bonao, the experience was a call to deeper leadership.

“Each of us must be willing to serve and lead well,” she said, noting that unity and follow-through are already strengthening women’s ministries in her local church.

Others described the message of “flourishing” as deeply personal. Ingrid Chireno, 41, from San Pedro de Macorís, said she almost did not attend the congress but was grateful she did, as the message spoke directly to her current season.

“God can make you flourish in the desert, in hard moments, in broken situations,” she said. “If He waters you, you will grow.”

For longtime leader Orquídea Mercedes, 45, also from San Pedro de Macorís, the congress reinforced the importance of expanding ministry beyond familiar circles.

“We need to make new connections and use those opportunities to share our faith,” she said.

Jendy Lugo, 37, a Dorcas coordinator in Santo Domingo, pointed to the practical impact of the training, especially in digital evangelism.

“Now I have the tools to begin,” she said, adding that the message helped her see her workplace as a mission field.

The congress concluded with a special awards ceremony recognizing women for their dedication and impact in ministry across the territory. Six women who recorded the highest number of baptisms, with a combined total of 121 in 2025, were honored with plaques, while local church directors and coordinators of women’s ministries and

Dorcas who demonstrated outstanding service received medals for their contributions.

In addition, leaders recognized former women’s ministries directors who have served across the various conferences and at the union level over the past 30 years, presenting them with commemorative plaques bearing the event’s logo in appreciation of their longstanding commitment to the department.

Standing on stage with lit torches in hand, women’s ministries directors from the six conferences of the Dominican Union embodied a shared commitment to mission, representing thousands of women leaders as they pledged to carry the light of the gospel forward through OneVoice27 and related initiatives.

A call to flourish in every sphere of life

Closing the event, de la Cruz returned to the heart of the congress message, inviting women to carry what they had experienced beyond the gathering and into their daily lives.

“May every woman here flourish in the place God has allowed her to live,” she said, urging them to embrace their calling with faith and purpose.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site.