Transforming Dominican Republic One Life at a Time
Who Are We?
Ramon Cuello is from Ojeda, a poor small town in Southwest Dominican Republic. He remembers what it feels like to wait all year for a single set of clothes at Christmas. He remembers sharing one bed with four siblings. But he also remembers the $20 a month from a stranger that changed his life. That investment didn't just buy an education; it planted a seed of "abundance" that would eventually feed a region.
He managed to leave his poverty and make it to Puerto Rico with his mother and then eventually became an American citizen. He got a college education in Florida. He was on the path of the American dream.
But his dream was to help the region he was born in. He returned in 1995 and founded New Generation Ministries which now has 7 churches in the small rural towns of Southwest Dominican Republic. These towns include Ojeda, Paraiso, Los Patos, La Cienaga, Enriquillo, and Barahona.
First, Begin with the Children
The ministry, born in Ojeda, began by feeding the physical hunger of children, so he could eventually nourish their spiritual hunger. Ramon remembers what it is like not to have enough food. As he fed the children, he was eventually able to reach the parents too. He did this in every town he went to. To this day, feeding programs for children are the first step of ministry.
One of those children, grew up to be a women’s minister in the church. She came to a ministry event because she was hungry. Ramon gave all the kids crackers and juice. Her witness is ... "I came to the Lord because of a cracker." From a cracker she is now in her calling.
Second, Welcome Everyone
Ramon believed that everyone could be someone. He reached into the community to people who were not accepted anywhere else. Reaching out to the rejected is the second step of the ministry. This includes people with low schooling, no job skills, prostitution, and drugs. New Generation met their physical needs and then raised them up into adulthood and many of them are the church leaders today.
Third, Train Leaders
The third step of ministry is training. Regular leadership training times and hands on ministry has raised up pastors, worship leaders, youth leaders, and children workers. Much time is given to training leaders. A curriculum was developed for every church member to give them basic Biblical knowledge. Building on that, is curriculum specifically for leaders on how to minister.
Permanent Meeting Places
For years, only the main hub town of Ojeda had a building to meet in. All the other churches rented buildings, met outdoors in courtyards, met in people’s houses, wherever they could find a place to meet. Starting in 2024, there was a concerted effort with the gifts of individuals to buy plots of land and build simple concrete buildings with metal roofs for people. By the end of 2026, 5 churches will have their own building because of generous donations.
Future Looks Bright
New Generation will continue doing what they are good at, planting more churches in the Dominican Republic. They will continue to follow the formula that has worked well for them, children first, everyone welcome second, and training programs to raise up the Next Generation. As people come along side them to help in the feeding programs, building churches, training leaders, more of the Dominican Republic will be changed one life at a time. Will you join in to help us? See ‘How Can I Get Involved?’ link in top right corner.
“I came to the Lord because of a cracker.” — New Generation Leader
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
info@newgenrationdr.org
USA Contact Address
Relationship Church
Attention: New Generation Ministries
1401 Cleveland Highway, Suite C
Dalton, GA 30721