Ministry Focus
Widmy Mervilus felt the call to meet both the material and spiritual needs of one of the poorest countries in the Americas—Haiti. With many malnourished children, lack of health, churches in bad condition, and structurally inhumane schools, Widmy’s desire (with the help of God) is to go and alleviate the situation that children are living in. Widmy plans to develop a ministry of sponsorship for children both in Haiti as well as the Dominican Republic. He also plans to buy land and build a mission house to bring together groups of doctors, teachers, speakers, nutritionists, etc. who will further Widmy’s vision of relieving children of poor health and education. After the earthquake that destroyed Haiti in 2010, Widmy felt a strong desire to go to Haiti to start a ministry of training for pastors. He went to Atlanta Georgia in the United States in the Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP) seminar to do a diploma in theology being trained to train pastors with limited academic resources. In 2016 he started a ministry to train pastors in Haiti.
Faith Story
Widmy was born in Haiti to a Christian family, with his grandfather as a pastor of a Baptist Church.
At the age of 20, Widmy moved to the Dominican Republic, fleeing from the Haitian dictatorship that ultimately put his life in danger. Two years later, while reading the word of God, the Lord spoke to his heart. At that moment, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was then baptized in the Mennonite Church in the city of Las Matas de Farfan, Dominican Republic.
Education
When working in ministry in the Dominican Republic, God gave Widmy the opportunity to study theology at the Logos Ministerial Academy. In 2008, he received a bachelor’s degree in theology and was soon after ordained as a pastor.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Widmy by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
A vibrant country with colonial history embraces joyful celebrations that outshine the obstacles
The Dominican Republic is quintessentially Caribbean, and the most popular of the islands for tourists to enjoy palm-waving beaches, waterfalls, whale watching and more.
The country’s capital, Santo Domingo, also boasts the oldest European city, with an ornate cathedral as old as the 16th century and architecture marking La Ciudad Colonial's continual history ever since.
In the midst of the beautiful landscape, roughly a third of Dominicans live below the poverty line, or half of all Dominican children. Energy shortages are common.
But in spite of challenging economic conditions, Dominicans celebrate life through year-round fiestas patronales and vibrant music and dance. It hasn't taken long for the rapid beats of merengue to spread from the Dominican's shores to capture hearts around the world.
Your partnership with Missions Door extends social outreach, leadership development and church planting in the Dominican Republic.
Cultural Snapshots
Dominicans have a special passion for baseball. Many professional players go on to join the United States' major leagues.
Faith Fact
Evangelical Protestantism and its emphasis on family values has become increasingly popular among low-income Dominicans, whose family structures are commonly unstable.
Country Profile
Population: 10 million
Major Religions: 95% Catholic
Languages: Spanish (official)
Literacy: 90%
Poverty: 34%
Ministry service area:
International
Ministry location:
, Dominican Republic