Couples Conference Draws Families to Jesus

image of speaker addressing attendeesAn average of 42 people attended a recent marriage seminar at Alianza, an Alliance church plant in the Dominican Republic. During the event, one couple said, “Thank you so much for all that you provide for the community—we so appreciate Alianza and what you give to our families.”

Alianza opened its doors in April 2011 in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean—Punta Cana. The congregation has seen much growth and has rented additional space across the hall from its ministry center. This enabled the church to invite more children last summer to its third annual Bible camp, which drew 50 youngsters.

Alianza’s mission is to equip families to live in authentic relationship with Jesus and to share His love with others. “From the start of this project, we dreamed of having a ministry center in offering services and activities to families such as classes, seminars, and pastoral counseling as well as worship times and Bible studies,” said Alliance international worker Julie Stutler, who ministers at Alianza with her husband, Zac. “By using innovative methods to serve the community, we meet specific needs, thus connecting people to Christ.”

Seeking the Lord

The couples’ conference featured private counseling sessions, all of which were filled. “These went extremely well, helping couples grow closer to each other and to seek the Lord,” said Julie.

A number of participants expressed a desire to include Jesus in their family life. One woman shared that her husband wants to attend church regularly and has said they need to start family devotions.

Another couple attends Alianza, but their teenage children have not gone with them. After the conference, the parents had a family meeting and decided that they would all start attending church together.

“It was reminiscent of Joshua, who declared, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,’” said Julie.

About half of those who attended the seminar do not regularly attend Alianza. The majority of visitors expressed interest in the church and a desire to return. Sunday morning following the conference, Alianza saw a record attendance of 114.

“We are praising the Lord for the recent expansion and a bit more space!” Julie said. “Please pray for these families—that Christ will become the center of their lives. Also, pray that Alianza will continue to grow and to fulfill its mission.”

Thank You!

“Your faithful prayers and sacrificial giving to the Great Commission Fund, our Approved Special, and our Work Fund helped make it possible for Alianza to provide this service to the people of our community,” said Julie. “Your partnership is a gift from God. Thank you so much.”

What You Can Do

Pray

Join the Alliance family in praying for our international workers in Latin America and worldwide, who daily share Christ’s love with people young and old. Use the Alliance Weekly Prayer Requests to assist you.

Give

  • When you give to the Great Commission Fund (GCF), which supports Alliance workers like the Stutlers, you partner with them in reaching those who otherwise would never hear about Jesus and His love.
  • Give now

 Learn More

Read another story about Alianza’s ministry.

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