Eastern Dominican Christian Mission — Organization Profile
Eastern Dominican Christian Mission (EDCM) is a Christian mission organization serving the eastern Dominican Republic. The mission was established in 2003 with a focus on making disciples and creating self-sufficient congregations through equipping and empowering initiatives. Its ministry is rooted in the Great Commission and the goal of forming disciples into local congregations.
EDCM’s U.S. mailing address is Roanoke, Virginia, and its ministry serves the eastern Dominican Republic, including communities such as Higuey, La Romana, Brisas del Mar, Punta Cana, El Seibo, Lotificación Verón, Otra Banda, and Ana Mulla. The mission works through Dominican and Haitian-led congregations, national pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders who serve communities through preaching, discipleship, local outreach, and practical ministry.
The organization’s stated ministry approach is summarized by the words “Equip” and “Empower.” EDCM plants churches under the name Iglesia Cuerpo de Cristo, the name associated with Christian churches in the Dominican Republic. Each congregation has its own facility and local leadership, while congregations also gather together for joint worship and fellowship. This structure supports local church planting, national leadership, discipleship, and movement toward self-sustaining congregations.
Leadership training is a major part of EDCM’s work. In 2020, the mission launched a two-year Bible seminary program to train leaders within existing churches and equip new workers for church planting. The program reflects EDCM’s commitment to developing Dominican Christian leaders who can teach Scripture, guide congregations, and strengthen ministry in their own communities.
EDCM also operates Kingdom Businesses and community ministries that support both practical needs and church outreach. These include Brisas del Mar Medical Clinic, Colegio Color Esperanza in Punta Cana, and Agua Brisas del Mar. The medical clinic provides care and medicine in a rural area of La Romana while also hosting Bible studies. The school offers Christian education in the Village of Hope neighborhood, and the water filtration plant provides safe drinking water while building trust and relationships in the community.
People can engage with Eastern Dominican Christian Mission by praying, giving financially, subscribing to ministry updates, supporting a church plant, partnering with leadership training, or joining a short-term mission team. Short-term mission trips partner with local Dominican congregations through VBS, women’s and men’s outreach events, youth activities, home visits, hospital visitation, concerts, youth camps, and other spiritually focused service opportunities.
Key Links
- Website: https://easterndominican.org/
- Who We Are: https://easterndominican.org/who-we-are/
- Our Staff: https://easterndominican.org/our-staff/
- Our Board: https://easterndominican.org/our-board/
- Church Planting: https://easterndominican.org/church-planting/
- Leadership Training: https://easterndominican.org/leadership-training/
- Kingdom Businesses: https://easterndominican.org/kingdom-businesses/
- Short-Term Missions: https://easterndominican.org/mission-trips/
- Give: https://easterndominican.org/give/
- Donate: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/eastern-dominican-christian-mission-inc
Contact Information
- Email: in**@**************an.org
- Email: mi******@**************an.org
- Phone: 540-798-7865
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 20136, Roanoke, VA 24018
Socials
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edcm_missions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easterndominican
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@easterndominicanchristianm2371
Leadership
- Ryan Vandelinde — Executive Director
- Harold Diaz — In-Country Director
- Taylor Diaz — Director of Communications; Short-Term Mission Coordinator
- Juan Diaz — Pastor, Higuey Christian Church
- Marianela Diaz — Ministry leader, Higuey Christian Church
- Victor Hernandez — Pastor, La Romana Christian Church
- Heidy Hernandez — Ministry leader, La Romana Christian Church
- Jordany Castillo — Pastor, Brisas del Mar Church
- Vivian Castillo — Ministry leader, Brisas del Mar Church
- Franklin Francisco — Pastor, Punta Cana Christian Church
- Ilonka Francisco — Ministry leader, Punta Cana Christian Church; Director, Colegio Color Esperanza
- Damian Cuello — Church Planter, El Seibo
- Suyapa Cuello — Church Planter, El Seibo
- James Vasquez — Church Planter, Lotificación Verón
- Maria Vasquez — Church Planter, Lotificación Verón
- Antonio Ojeda — Lead Pastor, Otra Banda and Ana Mulla Christian Churches
- Dr. Euri Fabian Cordero — Director, Brisas del Mar Medical Clinic
- Fatima Altagracia — Nurse, Brisas del Mar Medical Clinic
- Neil Webster — President, Board of Directors
- Greg Grant — Vice President, Board of Directors
- Joni Colle — Secretary, Board of Directors
- Kelsey Swing — Treasurer, Board of Directors
- Lori Morton — Board Member
- Robbie Ketcherside — Board Member
- Stacy Boris — Board Member
