San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, Nov. 23-Dec. 3, 2025
Over Thanksgiving break, 48 young people from the Texas Conference chose a different kind of holiday. They invested their break in mission, serving communities in the Dominican Republic with practical help and gospel-centered ministry. This team of youth, ages 16 and up, arrived with a clear purpose: to be the hands and feet of Jesus while meeting needs, building hope and sharing Christ through both action and message.
Sanctuary for a Mountain Congregation
The primary project was as ambitious as it was meaningful: helping build a church sanctuary for a rural congregation in Mana Yaguate, located in the mountains near San Cristóbal. For years, Adventist members have worshiped in a broken-down structure with holes in the ceiling and crumbling walls. Although it was their dream to build a safe sanctuary, they had little to no financial means to make it a reality.
TXyouth’s objective was straightforward: to leave the congregation with a functional, standing building in which to worship, protected from the elements. Through long days of work, the team helped bring that dream within reach. By the end of the trip, the congregation had a usable structure and was able to complete the remaining final touches and details.
Ministry Beyond the Worksite
The mission extended far beyond construction. In the evenings, the team held an evangelistic meeting and saw dozens make decisions for Christ. Additionally, TXyouth hosted a Vacation Bible School that served over 200 children from the surrounding community. With Bible stories, music, activities and relational care, the World Changers created a space for children to experience the love of Jesus in a personal way.
While the building project was the primary assignment, one of the most powerful highlights of the trip was the life-changing story of a young adult named Joel. Although not a church member, Joel was assigned to assist with the logistics of the group’s stay in the Dominican Republic. Since he was with the team every day, he began forming genuine friendships with the TXyouth World Changers and quietly observed their spirit, teamwork and purpose.
On the final Sabbath of the trip, Joel made an unexpected request: he asked to be baptized. He shared that watching the TXyouth World Changers serve with passion and love reflected Jesus to him. He was deeply moved by their joy, happiness and commitment to the gospel. Joel testified that what he’d experienced through the team inspired him to respond to God’s calling and give his life fully to Jesus. It was a beautiful reminder that mission is never only about what we build with our hands; it’s also about what God builds in hearts.
The mission trip concluded with an unforgettable experience of fellowship and ministry: the TXyouth World Changers participated in the Central Dominican Conference Master Guide Camporee, joining 3,000 Master Guides in a powerful gathering of worship, learning and spiritual celebration. For many on the team, this was a meaningful opportunity to witness the strength of Master Guide ministry in the Dominican Republic and to connect with fellow leaders and be inspired by the scope of what God is doing through youth and young adult leadership in another part of the world.
Why TXyouth Goes
At TXyouth, we believe we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world today. We are passionate about our mission and evangelism, always seeking opportunities to serve and share the light of Christ with others. We are changing the world, one mission at a time.
This past Thanksgiving, 48 young people chose to give back. And in return, God reminded us of a timeless truth: when Jesus is lifted up through loving service, lives are drawn to Him. Our 2025 World Changers project is now a mission accomplished for God’s glory.
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By Christian Ponciano, director for Texas Conference Youth & Young Adult Ministries
A condensed version of this article is featured in the March/April 2026 issue of the Southwestern Union Record.
