Mission Emanuel

The Emanuel School was the product of the dreams of Javier and Rosario de la Cruz. During the early years of their marriage, Javier and Rosario attended school at night to earn their Masters degrees in Education and School Administration respectively. Believing they could help children escape poverty through education, in 1992, they opened their home in Nazaret to twenty-three students who were unable to attend school elsewhere. The children not only received an excellent education but also learned of God’s love for them.

In 1995, Jack Larson, a long-time friend and ministry partner of Javier and Rosario, led a short-term mission team to the Dominican Republic. The missionaries brought pictures of the Emanuel School students back to the United States and soon all twenty-three children were sponsored. Soon after, Jack, Javier and Rosario founded Mission Emanuel, which incorporated the Emanuel School and sponsorship program, and established a strong a relationship with US churches and individuals through short-term mission teams. The Mission Emanuel sponsorship program has always been unique- not one penny of the money received is taken out for administrative costs. Sponsorship money is used to pay teachers’ salaries and other school expenses, and also contributes to each child’s medical and dental care. The students’ families are encouraged to contribute to the education and medical costs of their children, but students are not turned away if their parents are unable to provide financial assistance. Over 500 students are currently sponsored, and additional sponsorship opportunities are available to anyone through the Mission Emanuel web site.

Over the past twelve years, Mission Emanuel has expanded its ministry and facilities. Following the destruction of Hurricane Jorge in 1997, missionaries saw the need for an additional school and a church in the small, hilltop village of Cielo. Shortly thereafter, mission teams constructed a three-story building that now houses a children’s medical clinic, a school and a chapel where a local evangelical church meets throughout the week. A water purification plant is now finished providing pure water for a fraction of the cost that families pay at local markets. Several families in Cielo and Nazaret have received block homes and dozens of other homes have been rehabbed, re-roofed, concrete floors and bathrooms constructed by Mission Emanuel teams. The ministry also built community baseball field, basketball court and several playgrounds. A beautiful youth ministry center in Cielo provides a safe, spiritually nurturing environment for young people in the community. An active youth group from the local church holds outreach events, such as dramas, movies and services at the center. A special emergency fund has been established so that no family is left without food or critical medical care. Mission Emanuel ministers to children with cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome or other disabilities by providing healthcare in the community, and each team visits leprosy patients to share Jesus’ love with them.

Mission Emanuel strives to provide spiritual nourishment to the people of Cielo and Nazaret through evangelical and discipleship ministries. These include a women’s cooperative, discipleship small groups, a boys group of fatherless 10-13 year olds, faith-based addiction counseling, and vacation Bible school. The Mission coordinated and hosted numerous training events, including pastors’ training, children’s ministry seminars, and trade and craft training for women. Additionally, numerous outreach events draw thousands of Dominican men, women and children to worship God and experience the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A more thorough glance into our 30-year history is also available.