History of the Dominican Reformed Church “IRD”
The Reformed Church in America (RCA) is the former Reformed Protestant Dutch Church established by the Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam (New York City) in 1628. It is one of the oldest protestant denominations in the United States of America. Until the mid twentieth century, it had little involvement In Hispanic ministries. The RCA is grateful to be recognized as a church that emphasizes giving an account of the hope we have in Christ Jesus in word and deed; the RCA values faithful and articulate theology and has demonstrated a deep commitment to ministries of mission. The RCA celebrates its bond of community with all other churches of Christ and values the heritage it shares with other faith communities who call on the God of Abraham.
The Netherlands Reformed Church was formally organized in 1566. In that year a synod held at Antwerp adopted the Belgic Confession of Faith and formulated some preliminary rules of church government. These rules were revised at succeeding synods, receiving at the Synod of Dort in 1619 a form which lasted for nearly two centuries in the Netherlands. The Netherlands liturgy and the Heidelberg Catechism were adopted by a synod held at Emden in 1571. The Compendium of the Heidelberg Catechism was formulated in 1608. The Canons of Dort were framed by the synod held in Dort in 1619.
The three doctrinal statements named above have continued to this day as the Standards of the Reformed Church in America. The Netherlands liturgy was adopted by the American church and has retained much of its original character. The rules of church government of 1619 were translated into English in 1792. “Explanatory Articles,” adapting the rules to American conditions, were added. In 1833 the rules and explanatory articles were formed into a single document organized into appropriate articles. Several general revisions of this “Constitution” (actually only part of the Constitution) have been made since then, notably in 1874, 1910-1916, 1958-1959, and 1965-1968. The amendment of the church’s document of government is an almost annual process.
On the American continent, what began as the Reformed Dutch Church in the 1620s became the “Reformed Church in America” in 1867. While most Scottish Reformed Churches are known as “Presbyterian,” and many German Reformed congregations became the “Reformed Church in the United States” (later to become part of the United Church of Christ), the change of name reflected that congregations with Dutch, French, Hungarian, Swiss, Italian, and German Reformed roots had become part of the RCA. The RCA incorporates churches in Canada as well as the USA.
In the 1960's there is a record of an Hispanic last name in the New York church, from that time till 1974 some other names with Hispanic origins appears; but the Hispanic Council officially started in that date.
This new department inspite of having the name of Hispanic Council; gave the idea to church opening and receival of new Hispanic ministries; but it was not the roll of the Hispanic Council at that time. It was more like a prophetic voice for Latin matters and also to link both cultures "English-Latin".
The Hispanic Council decided to explore partnerships with some countries in Latin America, like the existent model in Mexico for many decades. That is the philosophy of mission partnership established in the RCA and currently being explored with other Latin countries.
By the mid 1990's, the leaders of the RCA Hispanic Council started to vision a possibility to expand RCA limits, in a very different way than the one already established for more than 150 years. There were new opportunities to start churches in Puerto Rico, but as Puerto Rico was part of the United States and other partners were already working there, it was not possible to get the approval from the general synod.
In 2000, a Reformed Church congregation, Church La Senda in California, along with the Hispanic Council started a new mission in Nicaragua; until now Global Mission had not recognized the "IREN", because they had been working for a long time in another Atlantic region of Nicaragua. The new church had a different vision to reach the lost and they continued struggling to be recognized.
The RCA is a Church of solid principles and they do not change course very easy inspite of their slogan "Reformed Church, always reforming according to the Word of God." There is an article in the missional policy stating that the RCA does not duplicate; meaning that new churches can only be established in North America and that every nation should start their own churches according to their habits and culture.
In the year 2000, the RCA celebrated its synod 194, at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York. It was titled "Mission 2000" the purpose of this assembly was to set up the basis for the new millennium on how the church was going to continue the ministry. The Pentecost letter was presented and also the enthusiasm of many leaders to open the door a little wider to preach the gospel of the kingdom in other places.
In the year 2004 the director for Hispanic Ministries, Rev. Brigido Cabrera was invited to Venezuela where 25 independent churches wanted to become part of the RCA; later on the Canadian executive secretary, Fred Algera, was also informed about a group of more than 27 churches in Brazil and 23 in Mozambique that wanted to become part of the RCA; through Canada or directly and other groups from Latin countries as well.
On February 9, 2004, a new chapter appears in the Dominican Republic through the radio station of Rev. Andres Serrano and the Hispanic Council Ministries. Rev. Serrano started broadcasting from California, teaching the RCA standards, reformed theology, reformed government "Presbyterian" and reformed history. It was a glorious beginning bringing new feelings to Dominican pastors and leaders; thus longing to be part of a similar church.
For two and more years of reformed preaching and teaching in the Dominican Republic through Radio Impactante, the Christian community in general showed great interest for the reformed system of the RCA. Pastors, leaders, and members in general expressed their gratitude for the teachings of Rev. Serrano and longing that something of that caliber might come to the Dominican Republic.
At that time, Rev. Victor Castro was moved by the Holy Spirit for the teachings and sermons. He shared his idea with Rev. Serrano about importing the RCA system into the Dominican Republic. The idea was very interesting to Rev. Serrano and it was the beginning of the following events.
Conferences, lunches, workshops took place in different location of the country, lead by Rev. Serrano; teaching and preaching with more details to pastors and leaders the RCA reformed system; Rev. Brigido Cabrera joined the team as well; those were very rejoicing moments, a lot of information and blessings for the Dominican Republic. At all the meetings, the RCA reformed system was based on:
- Reformed Government
- Reformed Theology
- Reformed Structure
- Pastoral care and support
- Reformed History
The movement of the Spirit was so strong in the Dominican Republic that it was heard in the RCA through Rev. Andres Serrano and Rev. Brigido Cabrera; whom were moved by the Spirit of the Lord showing an interest never seen before.
In January 18 and 19, 2007, a group of RCA leaders gathered in Arizona to discuss the happenings in the Dominican Churches. That group was formed by:
1. Rev. Bruce Menning, RCA Director of Global Mission
2. Rev. Luis Pérez, RCA Executive Ministry for Mid-Atlantic Synod
3. Rev. Andrés Serrano, Pastor Iglesia La Senda & Director of Radio Impactante
4. Rev. Brigido Cabrera, RCA Coordinator for Hispanic Ministries
5. Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaleson, RCA General Secretary
6. Rev. Tim Vink, RCA Coordinator for Church Multiplication
7. Rev. Richard Welscott, RCA Director of Development
8. Rev. Charles Van Engen, RCA Missional Professor — Feller Theological Seminary and former RCA President
9. Rev. Jeffrey Japinga, RCA Executive Coordinator
This group of leaders discussed the feeling of the Dominican pastors and leaders to be part of the RCA; they saw this as a great opportunity to build a strong reformed presence in Latin America.
One of the main questions was: what do we know about the group in the Dominican Republic? How did it come to join the RCA? At that moment Rev. Serrano explained the work he has been doing for many years through his radio ministry and the existent link with many pastors and churches in the Dominican Republic; the participation of Hispanic Ministries as well as the Synod of New York with Rev. Jon Norton.
The hunger and thirst in Latin America for a Presbyterian government came up, reformed theology as well; knowing that 80% per cent of the churches are of Pentecostal origins, having a big varieties of beliefs; creating divisions due to the traditional governmental system, thus being forced to look out for a different government system than the current one; which has been affecting the country for many years.
Rev. Bruce Menning presented the historic moments of global mission and the relationship with other churches outside of the United States.
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaleson recognized the blessings through the ministry of Rev. Andres Serrano and brought up the possible goal to establish a reformed church in the Dominican Republic, with the historic principles of the RCA mission.
At the same time they recognized this process as a completely new model for the RCA. Therefore transparency in this new partnership is essential.
The tensions between the Dominican and Haitian community in the Dominican Republic was also presented and the possibility to be able to help in the justice and reconciliation of the Dominican and Haitian churches was expressed.
The key point was to establish a Dominican Reformed Church that could be able to decide how to work, such as:
- Governmental Order
- Structure
- Pastoral and leader support
In this meeting Global Mission was assigned as the direct contact with the emergent Church in the Dominican Republic in order to create a long term partnership, so we can define how the new partnership will work between the RCA and the churches in the Dominican Republic.
On January 18 and 19, 2007, at Scottsdale, Arizona the partnership between the RCA and what we know today as the Dominican Reformed Church (IRD) was authorized.
As the presence of the Haitian community is necessary in this new partnership, Rev. Andres Serrano invited Rev. Yeral Ogando to represent the Haitian community in this new movement of the Spirit of God.
After many meetings and conferences, on Wednesday, July 10, 2007 at 7:00 pm, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, what was long expected finally happened. The new executive committee for the synod of the Dominican Reformed Church (IRD) was formed by:
1. Victor Castro President
2. Ignacio Diaz Vice- President
3. Nancy Cabrera Tresaurer
4. Elizardo González Legal Department
5. Juan Cruz Tresaurer Assistant
6. Julio Cesar Díaz Representant of Puerto Plata Zone
7. Ruperto Medina Representant of Barahona Zone
8. Nelson Polanco Social-Community Projects
9. Yeral Ogando Secretary for the executive committee
With such an important event, the information was immediately sent to the RCA leaders where the communications and information started to flow more openly between both denominations.
Congratulations were received from the RCA, Global Mission, Hispanic Ministry and Synod of New York.
In all the communications the goal was to establish the type of partnership between the IRD and the RCA, from a very realistic perspective.
Even after this announcement the IRD and the RCA continued to explain the partnership differently. On one side some leaders in the RCA thought that the IRD wanted a Church Association. The IRD stressed that it intended to be a REFORMED DENOMINATION. In other words, the intend is that the general synods of the IRD and the RCA work as sister to develop reformed churches in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, throughout the Carribbean, Latin America and around the world.
On November 11 and 12, 2007, an IRD and RCA commission gathered: Rev. Andres Serrano, Rev. Jon Norton, Rev. Bruce Menning, Rev. Luis Pérez, Rev. Víctor Castro, Rev. Elizardo Gonzalez, Rev. Yeral Ogando and others. It was a very joyful moment for both denominations. The IRD presented to the RCA what the IRD was looking for; expressed as follows.
Create the Reformed Denomination in the Dominican Republic based on:
- RCA Polity & Structure
- Reformed Theology
- Pastoral care & support
The conclusion was something unforgettable for both denominations; the RCA named this day as "the pig meeting" because the IRD as host served roasted pig for the visitors. The events that followed that gathering have been tremendous.
On November 26, 2007, we received the request to present to the RCA the IRD vision and mission, taking into account the following points:
- Vision
- Current realities of the IRD and in the Dominican Republic
- Goals and Objectives
- Implementation
- Evaluation
The IRD presented the vision and mission to the RCA, creating our second meeting with a strategy and implementation team led by Helen Monsees and Sheila Kiscaden on April 11 and 12, 2008. In this meeting the vision and mission that the IRD had already presented was confirmed, defining it as: A church united in reformed theology, which provides support & development for its pastors; that lives out its faith through discipleship, evangelism and the work of social justice; and is a living, growing presence of Jesus Christ in the Dominican Republic and in the world.
Five key points are,
- Reformed Theology
- Evangelism and Discipleship.
- Ministerial development and support
- Social Justice
- Sustainable and Vibrant church
The year of 2008 continued with many expectations and great flow of communication between the IRD and the RCA. Then the IRD extended a formal invitation to the RCA General Secretary, Rev. Wesley Grandberg-Michaelson and to Rev. Kenneth Bradsell, Assistant Secretary, Director of Operations and Support.
On January 11 and 12 , 2009, an historic date for the IRD; the General Secretary of the RCA, Rev. Wesley Grandberg-Michaelson; Rev. Kenneth Bradsell, Assistant Secretary, Director of Operations and Support; Rev. Jon Norton, Executive Minister of New York Synod; Rev. Luis Pérez Executive Minister of Mid-Atlantic Synod; Rev. Brígido Cabrera, Hispanic Ministries Coordinator; Rev. Andrés Serrano; Director Radio Impactante; along with an IRD Team, Rev. Victor Castro, President; Rev. Ignacio Díaz, Vice-president; Rev. Juan Cruz, Assistant Treasurer; Rev. Nelson Polanco, Social-Community projects; Rev. Félix Caraballo, Mints Coordination in the DR and Reporter of a Christian newspaper; Frank Castillo, IRD Guest and Rev. Yeral Ogando, Secretary of the executive committee. The representatives of the two denominations agreed on signing a legal agreement showing the eternal partnership between the two denominations.
The main points of the agreement were:
1. RCA commitment with the IRD to evangelize the Dominican Republic, including: Reformed Theology & Education for the IRD pastors and leaders, focusing on mission and ministry.
2. Leadership training.
3. Seriousness and commitment from the IRD and the RCA to totally work together for the vision and mission of the IRD; to enrich the kingdom of God through the IRD in the Dominican Republic and beyond.
From January 26-30, 2009, the first office for the IRD was created at Winston Churchill with Sarasota, plaza universitaria, local 9B. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; represented by the IRD Secretary of executive committee, Rev. Yeral Ogando; being the first full-time officer of the IRD.