Weekend at Nueva Vida Church

Nueva Vida Church's Community Center

Next month, Willow Creek is going to highlight (during the main service) the work of one of our partner churches in the Dominican Republic, Nueva Vida church. The pastor's name is Raquel, and although she is now in charge, she never aspired to be in any kind of a leadership role.

Her husband, who was previously the pastor of Nueva Vida, died of cancer almost 15 years ago, and when it was time to choose a new leader for the church, the congregation picked her. All she ever wanted to be was a pastor's wife, so this was really a stretch from what she ever imagined herself to be.

After assuming the role, she felt a strong conviction to be a pastor who was different from the rest. The result? A thriving church, full of youth who have left their gangs, quit drugs and are now passionate about God... with a school, clean water plant, woodworking shop, dorm for homeless young men, computer classes, literacy program... and a passion for evangelism and discipleship. God has used this lady!

We have become good friends with Pastora Raquel and her family since we've moved here, so it was exciting to know that the video team who came from Willow Creek is going to be able to capture her story and show on screen what God is doing through a simple woman who says to God, "You can use me..."

Raquel and Paul

Jim, the video guy

A proud Dad with a kid in his White Sox uniform (the Dominicans LOVED seeing Paul in a baseball outfit... he was a hit with friends and complete strangers alike)


Sporting the Sox gear that finally fits

Never a dull moment for us in the DR