Pastor Yban

Sunday was the highlight of this past weekend's DRLM FORO, and really, a highlight of my nearly 14 months here and the DRLM's nearly 14 years here: the ordination of Yban Navarro as the third Dominican national pastor. Ordinations are momentous even in the US, in a church body in which thousands of men hold the Office of the Holy Ministry. The magnitude of such occasions is off the charts in a mission outpost where adding one to the ranks represents a 50% increase.

The day did not disappoint. Over 200 saints from all five Dominican congregations, joined by FORO partners from Arizona to Ontario, packed into Iglesia Luterana Cordero de Dios, which was beyond prepared thanks to the meticulous planning of Rev. Sergio Fritzler and the concerted efforts of numerous dedicated members.

Candidate Yban and all the pastors processing into the sanctuary, led by Guatemalan seminarian Luis

as crucifer. 

Yban's public examination, performed by Regional Director Rev. Ted Krey. 

The rite of ordination, presided over by Ted. 

Blake (far right) decided the Facebook Live view was better than ours from the back corner. [About a month ago, Cordero de Dios started streaming sermons on its Facebook page. Check it out if you ever want to see what a typical Sunday is like for me or practice your Spanish listening skills.]

One by one, each pastor present got to share a word of encouragement from Scripture with the new pastor. 

Yban got to consecrate the elements for the first time prior to assisting with communion. 

Before the closing hymn, numerous church leaders and dignitaries shared greetings and gifts. Ted quipped that, upon first meeting Yban, he couldn't fathom him as a pastor, but now, he can't imagine him as anything but. Yban's wife Marta elicited a few giggles when she expressed a similar sentiment! Ted also said that Sunday was one of his three most joy-filled days in the DR, the other two being the ordinations of the other two national pastors. 

After church, it was picture time. Given that it was characteristically sweltering out, I found myself wondering if any of the group shots could have been staged before the service, wedding-style...aka before everyone was glistening with sweat. It went fast, though, since the pastors were all eager to take their albs off and eat! And eat we did; the afternoon wrapped up with the single most organized lunch for 200 that I've ever seen. 

Please keep Pastor Yban, his family, and all at Cordero de Dios in your prayers. The journey to ordination was not easy, nor is Satan any too pleased that there is one more worker in the harvest field. We trust, though, that the Spirit with which Yban has been endowed will strengthen him to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching," (2 Timothy 4:2).

Until next time, blessings!