Today we can report that we have MET OUR GOAL! Praise The Lord! Updated September 6.

The property is a rectangle. As gifts were received, we colored in different boxes. Praise God, all the boxes are colored.  God moved many of you to give and in just 3.5 months, we raised funds to buy the land and secure the property for the New Dawn Evangelical Church in Buenos Aires Dominican Republic.  

This was a fun way to see our progress toward buying the property. You gave as the Lord led you to give. A wonderful $10,000 challenge was offered in July and we met the challenge. $39,500 has been given. May God bless you all!

2 Corinthians 8:1-5

 Total given:  $39,500.  Praise the Lord!

Questions regarding the Buenos Aires Land Purchase

You may have questions. We anticipated that and you may find your answer here. If not, please contact us at rmackey@mesaglobal.co.  

Who will own the land?  

Initially the land will be owned by the La Vid Church. The land will be transferred to the New Dawn Church when the New Dawn Church has formed it own leadership.  

What happens if New Dawn Church never grows to have its own leadership? What happens if the church fails?  

We and La Vid are committed to seeing a church planted in Buenos Aires. Based on past history, we know that new leaders may not have the same commitment. Because of this, a contract has been written that the land cannot be sold for the period of 25 years.   

During those years, if the church fails, the land will be held with the hope that a church will be planted. We have seen this happen in others communities (El Montaña). El Montaña lost momentum and then after 4 years, a group formed to restart the church and today El Montaña has a strong established church.  

If after 25 years, there is no church and no one is pursuing a church, the land may be sold the proceeds will be used to help other church planting efforts in the area. La Vid will oversee this.

Is there a reason you asked La Vid to help?

Yes. La Vid has a very good history of helping small church plants. Ivan, a friend and church planter, started a church in La Joya. Due to health, Ivan had to leave and asked La Vid if they could continue the work until this new church was established. Eduardo has been very involved with this and tells me that they are at the point in which La Vid is able to step way, leaving a brother sister church, which is called Iglesia Emmanuel.

Also, Becky and I consider La Vid our home church in the Dominican Republic. Our church planting partners Eduardo and Miriam are leaders at the La Vid church. The four of us are working together to plant the New Dawn Church.  

In addition to us, there are many in the La Vid church that have a connection with the Buenos Aires community. There are many connections and love for one another.

The La Vid church is helping with the leadership. What does this relationship look like?  What kind of control does La Vid have? 

La Vid understands that God is going to reach the Dominican Republic through churches. In a country where transportation is a challenge, churches need to be planted in each community so that people can walk to church.  

La Vid comes along side other churches as a brother does to another brother. Currently, the New Dawn church has agreed to submit to our leadership and that of La Vid. But it is for a time and we are all working to build leaders with the New Dawn church so that it can stand on its own.  

Is the goal for the New Dawn church become fully independent? Are they forming under any denomination?

Yes. The goal is for the New Dawn Church to be become an established church, legally independent. Even now, it is considered a brother/sister church of La Vid, along with Emmanuel church (mentioned above) and other Evangelical churches in the area.

At this point there is not talk of joining any denomination. Rather there has been talk of developing a local network or association of Evangelical churches, specifically those that minister in small communities.  

---

If you have other questions, please write us and we will respond (rmackey@mesaglobal.co).  

Photos from Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Amanecer

In English "New Dawn Christian Church"

Temporary Structure which can be used until we outgrow it.  

Property line along the road.  Shows the new
fence (fall 2023) and gate (Abr. 2024)!

The people are excited that this gate was built as a result of their offerings.

View from upper corner

Two of the first believers in Buenos Aires, Rahdamez and Maria are leading singing!

Wonderful, beautiful people!

Papito sometimes needs help getting to and from Church.

A barbwire fence along the property line that we plan to replace for more security.

The lower potion of the property will house a new church building
 and a pastor's house/classroom space (when needed).

Goats enjoy the foundation of a home started many years ago.

Trained by Eduardo, Jonny preaches on a regular basis.  

Goats are there to eat as much of the vegetation as they want!

View up toward the road from the lower property line.

Another view from the lower property line.

Papito prays daily for the church!

Main street in Buenos Aires.

Coffee anyone!?!

Kids who loved last summer's team!  

Becky and I with La Vid's 3 pastors and their wives

Beautiful Buenos Aires, Dominican Republic!

Buenos Aires - Iglesia Cristiano Nuevo Amanecer Property Plan

Buenos Aires Prays to Buy Land (Email sent May 19)

Buenos Aires Prays to Buy Land!

 "to equip his people for works of service, so that the

body of Christ may be built up" Ephesians 4:12

Dear friends and family,

In 1997 we led our first mission trip to the Dominican Republic.  In 2007 we moved to the same location to be missionaries.  We have worked in many communities and church plants since then.  One of these is Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Amanecer, or New Dawn Christian Church, in Buenos Aires, Dominican Republic.
 
The Story:
Rhadamez and Maria Santos were among the first believers in Buenos Aires.  Under the direction of Don Chucho and Antonia, they founded the local church.  Teams helped in various ways.  For many years the church thrived.  Today Don Chucho and Antonia are with the Lord.  Unfortunately, during a period when the church was struggling, the property was sold and the church closed.
 
Since then, Rhadamez and Maria have fervently prayed for the church to be reborn.  Buenos Aires needs a local church that serves and reaches its community.  We met regularly with them to pray, initiate a home Bible study, and develop ministry skills.
 
In 2019, Justin and Jeimmy Smith came to serve with us.  We asked them to work with Rhadamez and Maria to restart the church in Buenos Aires.  Most members from the original church had moved out of the area.  It was a hard ministry and the CoVid pandemic didn’t make things any easier.  God was faithful and a small group was formed.  New believers were added.  After renting a vacant lot and building a temporary structure, Sunday services began.
 
At each stage, the question of renting or buying was asked.  This is never an easy question to answer.  We felt that we could buy when there was a group of mature believers committed to grow the church so that it is fully establish.  We are very excited to say that we have this today.  We believe God is rebuilding His church in Buenos Aires.  It is a “New Dawn” as the church is named. 
 
If you are following us, you know that Justin and Jeimmy left to serve in Colombia.  We are very thankful for their work during their time here.  Their leaving motivated other believers to fill the gap and commit to growing the church.  Specifically, the La Vid church chose to support the establishment of New Dawn Church.  On April 14, the pastors confirmed their commitment and affirmed the decision to purchase the land.  Pictures of the church and the property can be seen by clicking the link.  
 
Today the Buenos Aires church:

• Worships together every Sunday. (Previously it met 2-3 times per month)

• Continues weekly prayer meeting and a women’s Bible study.

• Collects an offering that goes to improve the property and pay electricity.

Soon the Buenos Aires church will:

• Teach on membership, the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

• Have outreaches this summer, aimed at engaging young adults. 

The Opportunity:

Ramon Vargas, a friend and church planter, owns the land we have been renting for 3 years.  We partnered with him early in our ministry and are good friends.  Ramon bought this property to build a house but never completed it.  He is excited to see the land become home to the Buenos Aires church.
 
The lot is 0.26 acres based on a legal survey we did.  It is not a perfect rectangle but is roughly 65 ft wide and 177.6 ft deep.  While level at the entrance, the land slopes down away from the main road.  The plan is to use the first third for outreach activities, the second for a main church building, and the third for a pastor’s house or classrooms.  While renting we cannot make further permanent changes on the land.  (Property Plan) 
 
In December, we asked Ramon what it would cost to buy the lot.  He gave us a very good price (until the end of 2024):  US $39,500.  It is well under the land’s value.  In fact, we know that Ramon received a much higher offer.  (Land prices have been rising exponentially in our area since 2020.)  The price includes the cost of the lot and other associated expenses.
 
Will you partner with the Buenos Aires church by helping it to buy property?  
 
$39,500 may seem like a big ask.  With God’s great support, it is possible!  We have been blessed with many faithful supporters.  Your support is helping small church plants become established.  Buying land will give this church a permanent “earthly” home, a place to minister, in a community that needs a good church.  Please consider helping to purchase this land.
 
What about the local church?  What are they doing?  Through tithes and offerings some of the monthly rent has been paid and they are working to enclose the property (a part of  buying land).  Last fall a fence was built along the road.  In April, a sliding gate was added.  To raise money, some are selling items and giving the proceeds to the church.
 
Please pray and consider how God can use you to establish His church in Buenos Aires. Buying the land gives the church the right to modify it for future ministry.  The temporary structure will be used for services until we outgrow it.  Thank you for your support to Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawn Christian Church) in Buenos, Aires, DR.
 
More questions?  Click here for more details!
 
Gifts may be directed to:
If you wish to give to this project, please let us know of your gift (rmackey@mesaglobal.co). 
 
To give online - click here - Dominican Development Fund (63755)  and write in the comment area “BA Property”
 
To give by check – Write your check to United World Mission.  Put “Account 63755” in the memo line and send it to:  
              United World Mission
              PO Box 602002
              Charlotte, NC 28260-2002 

To see the progress toward reaching our goal - Click here for a fun way to see our progress!
---
In other news...United World Mission name change is coming SOON:  Yes, you read that right. The "reveal" is coming very soon. The new name will bring changes (things like our email and who checks are written too) but you can be assured that the 'old' methods will still work for quite a while during a time of transition. UWM is planning to roll out the new name with minimal disruption to donors and partners.  

Thank you so much for your partnership through the years.

Trusting God in all things!
Rick and Becky Mackey