LUIS & ADELINE VELARDE
SERVING IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Our vision,
besides seeing people come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour,
is to see them walk freely into their God-given purpose.
Why do we do what we do?
The simplified reason is because we are called by the Lord, and because we love Him, we said yes.
A more specific answer as to why we do the exact work that we do is because in all the years that we have served the Lord, we have watched people remain stuck in certain areas of their lives, unable to break free to move forward to take hold of the plans God has for them. It became clear that this was because people become trapped in certain patterns they couldn't break out of. We realized that people needed to understand what it means to be in a relationship with God, instead of following Him in a ritualistic and legalistic way. It is not solely about teaching them the bible, but breaking down verses and passages into historical, religious and cultural contexts to demonstrate how they made sense to people in ancient times and how we can approach those biblical passages to apply them to our lives today. When they understand the context, the bible passage or verses can be applied correctly to change perspectives and transform mindsets, which in turn sets people free.
luis Velarde
Luis brings a wealth of experience to his ministry. As an Ordained Minister, missionary, and Chaplain Sub-Director for the northern region of the Dominican Republic with the Dominican Republic Assemblies of God, and a Licensed Minister and missionary with the Canadian Assemblies of God, he's deeply committed to service.
For over 20 years in Lima, Peru, Luis directed a dynamic drama and theatrical ministry, sharing the Gospel and biblical truths throughout South America. He also actively participated in the Siembra street ministry, providing guidance and support to at-risk youth and young adults.
Upon relocating to the Dominican Republic with Adeline in 2013, Luis initially served as a liaison for an American organization to local pastors and churches. Following a move to a different city, he transitioned to focusing on sharing the Word of God and praying with civil authorities in Puerto Plata.
Today, Luis continues to minister to civil authorities through prayer and outreach, while simultaneously expanding the national Assemblies of God chaplaincy ministry in the northwestern provinces. He and his wife, Adeline, also collaborate on preaching, workshops, and conferences.
adeline Oh velarde
Adeline brings a dedicated heart to her ministry. As an Ordained Minister, missionary, and Presbiterial Chaplain Director for Puerto Plata with the Dominican Republic Assemblies of God, and a Licensed Minister and missionary with the Canadian Assemblies of God, she's deeply invested in serving her community.
For eight years, Adeline served as a missionary in Peru, where she founded Siembra, a ministry focused on providing support and guidance to street youth and young adults at risk.
Upon relocating to the Dominican Republic with Luis in 2013, Adeline contributed to an American organization, reaching and discipling street women. Following their move to Puerto Plata, she and Luis turned their focus to sharing the Word and praying with the city's civil authorities, a ministry they continue to prioritize.
Adeline also actively supports local churches in the Puerto Plata province, visiting churches to pray for pastors and congregations, and promoting, recruiting, and training Chaplain members. In addition to her collaborative preaching, conferences, and workshops with Luis, Adeline is involved in several other impactful projects
SNIPPETS ABOUT The DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern portion of Hispaniola, an island in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. Situated west of Puerto Rico, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. This geographical location contributes to the country's consistently warm climate and renowned beaches.
Spanish is the official language; however, Dominican Spanish possesses distinct semantic and grammatical characteristics. While English is understood by a segment of the population, Spanish remains the primary mode of communication. Dominicans are known for their hospitable nature, often extending assistance to visitors. It is customary to greet individuals upon entering communal spaces.
Driving conditions in the Dominican Republic present unique challenges, requiring a degree of adaptability. The country experiences an annual hurricane season and relies on rainfall for its agricultural sector. The Dominican Republic's fertile soil supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, reflecting its historical Taino name, Quisqueya, meaning 'mother of the lands.
