The AME Church Continues to Thrive in the Dominican Republic
By Presiding Elder Abraham Rodriguez Jones, 16th Episcopal District
The African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Dominican Republic held its 95th Annual Conference section, at Bethel AME Church, Samana. Which was presided over by the Bishop of the 16th Episcopal District Marvin Zanders and the Supervisor Winifred Zanders. After two years, without holding a face-to-face conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to successfully hold it from February 9-12, 2023.
Among the most significant events that we can highlight are:
The pastoral ministry was strengthened with the Annual Sermon preached by the Conference secretary, Rev. Margarito Rodriguez. His text was taken from 1 Kings 18: 42-44 with the theme: “When we see nothing” in whose sermon he stood out the importance of talking to God as Elijah did instead of having a banquet as Ahab did, so that when times of drought come, we can follow the line of the prophet, in obedience.
Certainly, we were edified, and it is remarkable the extraordinary quality of the teaching that the bishop brought on how to make the church grow and how to keep the people who come. In the same way, he gave us the key to prosper by paying our tithes and offerings. Our Bishop Zanders emphasized that when we pay our tithes and give our offerings we are blessed.
Despite the challenges, for our Annual Dominican Conference, it is a celebration to have admitted four (4) candidates to the ministry on trial. Not only that, but five (5) itinerant deacons were also ordained:
Rev. Yoanlis Esther Jones, Bachelor of Accounting
Rev. Abraham Rodriguez Pacheco, Bachelor of Accounting & Master of Theology
Rev. Wilfredo Paulino Esteban, Bachelor of Psychology
Rev. Alexandro Azor, Bachelor of Education
Rev. Ana Doris King Matinés Law Degree
In addition, four (4) itinerant elders were ordained:
Rev. Enercida Rodriguez Pacheco, Bachelor of Theology; Certified as an English-Spanish Translator
Rev. Benita Martines Bachelor of Education
Revda. Evelin Medina, Bachelor of Education
Revda. Mercedes Farington
And we are very pleased that all of persons ordained itinerant elders are women.
In addition, the 95th Session of the Dominican Annual Conference was the most attended with a quorum of 99% of the conference members from the first day, a session in which all the churches presented their reports and we had a large number of observers attending to support their churches. So many people were there, that the auditorium was not enough to bring them all together.
I believe that this 95 Session of the Dominican Annual Conference marked a before and after in the history of the AME Church in the Dominican Republic with the added distinction that that four of the ordained elders are children of pastors of our beloved AME Connnection.
For me, Abraham Rodríguez Jones, this being my twenty-first (21) report as Presiding Elder, it is an honor to know that two of those ordained are my biological children. It is satisfying to know that the pastoral legacy of my family in the AME Church is still standing and this being the first time that it has been recorded in the Dominican Republic, it must be reflected in the memories and lives, especially of those who read this article. So, if you are someone wondering: What will happen to my legacy? Or, who will continue the hard work of expanding the kingdom of God on earth? Know this: It requires persistence, perseverance, and dedication. Getting my children ordained at the Conference has been a struggle, but true warriors do not stop in the face of adversity but rather fight hard because resistance is gained by making resistance. So, hold on! His legacy will continue.
I don’t know when something like this will happen again, but today, the AME Church in the Dominican Republic rejoices in handing over and passing the relay baton to the next generation of men and women born and raised in our brilliant church. For me, it represents personally it represents a fourth generation of pastors who uphold the name of Jesus Christ, and the historical legacy of Bishop Richard Allen.
Presiding Elder Abraham Rodriguez Jones is the Presiding Elder of the South District of the Dominican Annual Conference and pastor of Impacto de Vida AME Church in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
