Christian Dominican Evangelistic Mission

Alberto Rivas formed the Christian Dominican Evangelistic Mission to minister to the people in northwest Dominican Republic.  He is based in Monti Cristi, on the northern coast of the Island, near the Haitian border.

Upon his arrival in Monti Cristi in 2001, CDEM purchased a compound to serve as their base of operations as well as the location of a new church. 

In the fall of 2002, CDEM purchased a piece of land on which to build a baseball field. The plan was to use baseball to draw in kids and adults in order to share the gospel. This was a huge success!  For years, they brought van loads of people from this new neighborhood to church and other activities. They have ministered to many kids from the area through this sports ministry. 

In 2004 property was purchased just half a block from Alberto’s home, where CDEM began to build a church building. The building held it’s first worship service in 2008. It features a large worship center on the 2nd floor and a retreat center on the ground floor. The retreat center has already been used as a shelter from tropical storms, when the people were evacuated from their homes. The large open worship area on the 2nd floor is ideal for worship services, and the windows catch many of the breezes, making the desert heat more bearable.

In 2007, additional property was purchased near the ball field in order to build another church building. That building was finished in February of 2008 and serves as a meeting house for those who live in that area.  In addition to the church, a school has been constructed near the ballfield and should be in operation soon. 

Alberto and his wife, Robyn have 4 children, Abigail, Jonathan, Lynnette and Lori.  We are excited about the work being done through CDEM and consider it a privilege to be allowed to serve with this mission.