My Dominican Republic friends…
This summer I had the priveldge of going to the Dominican Republic to serve with an incredible ministry called, “Go Ministries.” I was blown away by the amount of work that they are doing for the kingdom of God. I loved the hearts of the staff more than any missions organization that I have ever been a part of. This weekend, two of the staff came and stayed at our house. Their names are Jeff and Vicki Rogers and they have become very good friends of ours. Cross Point has committed to helping support Jeff and Vicki in their fundraising and I find it an honor to serve beside such incredible people. We had some very life-giving late night talks this weekend and I was reminded of how brilliant Jeff’s mind really is. His vision for where God is going to take this ministry is mind-blowing. His heart for God and his desire to have maximum impact while he is here on earth made me feel like I am hardly even doing anything for God. Iraneaus said that, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.” I can’t think of anyone that I see more alive than the passion that I see in Jeff and Vicki. Vicki’s dependancy on God to provide for her families well-being, health, food, and housing…always encourages me to trust more. Their kids are absolutely precious and they are pregnant with their third…so, I just wanted to take some time to introduce you to some of the finest people on earth.
In order to be fair, I could have written the same amount of incredible things about every one of the staff that I encountered with “GO”, and in fact, I just might do that in the days ahead. We had a informational meeting at the church this weekend for people that are interested in going there in March and I am excited to see how God is going to use this trip to change the lives of all who go, just like it did mine!
What sort of missions are you involved with and how did it affect you?
Blake, I couldn’t agree more with your comments about Jeff and Vickie, with the possible exception of the “brilliant mind” comment referring to Jeff.
I have enjoying serving along side them for almost 3 years in the DR. My big regret is that I cannot do more for them and their ministry. You cannot encounter either of them without your life being enriched.
Life without service is not life at all.
I love that line Harold! Life without service is no life at all…I am totally stealing that.
Although I’ve never met Jeff or Vicki in person, I just returned from a ministry training trip to the DR that JEff arranged for me. I loved partnering with G.O. Ministries to do this! They were all so wonderful. AND I fell in love with the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Jeff comes by his brilliant mind naturally — he has an equally (or even more) brilliant sister. Just ask her.
Seriously, I never understood why Jeff and Vic had such a love for the people of Hispaniola or mission work in general. I just didn’t get it until I got to witness it first hand. In 2006, I traveled with our other brother to the DR to get a behind-the-scenes look at what GO does. We tagged along with another church team and were able to experience everything the short term teams did. Not to sound cliche, but it was a life-changing experience. I went with Cross Point in 2007 (at the same time that Morgantown was there) and I truly treasure those memories. I know in my head that God worked through me when I was there, but I know in my heart that He worked IN me and is still working in me. I look at everything differently. I remember telling my husband, when I returned from my 2007 trip, that I felt like my heart had changed, and that I hoped it wasn’t just a fleeting feeling. It was not. I have a long way to go, but these experiences have brought me much further down the path.
LeAnn…I am sure you are brilliant! Your brother blows me away…I absolutley love his heart. I am so honored to have his sister serve at the same church that I do. Thanks for all you do around Cross Point!
Thanks for featuring 4 of my most favorite people in the whole wide world! Jeff, Vickie and the girls are more than friends (though they ARE dear friends)~ they are family. I have more respect for them and their ministry than i can share with words. Their very lives, in the DR and through their own personal life situations, ministers to everyone they encounter, and are living testimonies of “God in (them), the hope of glory!” It is a joy to serve alongside them each summer. I love the Dominican people so very much, thanks to jeff and Vick and in honor and praise to our Lord. And…it was pure joy working alongside Blake and Ally, too, and seeing their profound love for missions and for the church! Love you much, Blake and Ally!
Lisa…you truly are a part of that family! Your heart for that place blows me away.