Perla  Salas, age 12, speaks during her evangelistic series, “Live Without Fear,” at Nueva Esperanza Seventh-day Adventist Church in Villa Isabela, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, March 14–21, 2026. [Photo: Courtesy of Dominican Union]
Two-year Initiative equips children and adolescents for evangelism across the island.

April 9, 2026  | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Twelve-year-old Perla Suribell Salas never imagined she would stand before a group of children, adolescents, and adults to share biblical messages—but in March, she did just that, leading an evangelistic small-group campaign that resulted in 12 baptisms.

“I like seeing how God uses me to bless others,” Perla said simply.

Her weeklong series, titled “Live Without Fear,” was held March 13–21, at her home church, Nueva Esperanza, in Villa Isabela, Puerto Plata. The initiative brought together participants of all ages, with a special emphasis on children and adolescents who had previously received Bible studies.

Perla Salas and part of the group that was baptized at the end of the evangelistic series she conducted recently. [Photo: North Dominican Conference]
Supported by her mother, Elibel Reynoso, her pastor Richard Soto, and members of her local congregation, Perla served as the primary speaker during the meetings. By the end of the campaign, 10 children and 2 adults had committed their lives through baptism.

Her accomplishment was later recognized during a special celebration organized by the North Dominican Conference, where church leaders, district pastors, and invited guests, including representatives from the General Conference and institutions across the Inter-American Division, gathered to mark the impact of the evangelistic initiative.

Perla’s story stood out as one of a broader movement taking shape across the Dominican Union.

A Territory-Wide Evangelistic Initiative

The campaign was part of a union-wide evangelistic emphasis which mobilized all local fields across the Dominican Union. Each year, the union selects a territory to receive focused support, and in 2026, the North Dominican Conference served as the epicenter.

Poster announcing Perla Salas as the guest speaker at Centro Comunal Proyecto Ama on Feb. 8, 2026. [Photo: North Dominican Conference]
The initiative followed 40 days of prayer and spiritual preparation, followed by small group meetings and 63 large public campaigns across the territory.

As a result, 1,020 baptisms were recorded, and more than 900,000 people were reached through social media outreach.

President of the Inter-American Division Pastor Abner De Los Santos joined the closing event as the main speaker during a large gathering held March 20–21, where he highlighted the growing involvement of children and youth in evangelism across the territory.

Pointing to Perla’s experience, he emphasized that God is calling and using younger generations in mission. “God wants to use young people and children like her,” he said, noting that willingness, not age, is what matters. As he prayed on stage of Perla, he added that when young people step forward, the work advances, affirming that God can use any child or youth committed to serving.

Perla Suribell Salas (center) with new and current members of Nueva Esperanza Seventh-day Adventist Church following her evangelistic series in March 2026. [Photo: Courtesy of Dominican Union]
Training a New Generation for Mission

Perla completed the Evangelistic Training School developed by the Dominican Union’s children and adolescents ministries department.

“The program seeks to equip children and adolescents to actively participate in public evangelism,” said Kenia Almánzar, the union’s children’s and adolescents ministries director. “We are not just teaching them, we are preparing them to lead.”

Launched in 2024 as part of the quinquennial plan Nehemiah Mission: I Will Go, the program was developed in collaboration with Dominican Adventist University, and offers training in preaching, Bible studies, small group leadership, and spiritual development.

The first cohort included 26 children in 2024, with 23 completing their second year of training in 2025.

Kenia Almánzar (right), children’s and adolescents ministries director of the Dominican Union, takes a selfie with Perla Salas during a celebration program in the North Dominican Conference on Mar. 21, 2026. [Photo: Kenia Almánzar]
Participation is selective, with local conferences identifying candidates based on their gifts and commitment. “We are forming children with potential and commitment to the mission,” Almánzar said.

The two-year program includes annual weeklong residential sessions at the university, supported by ministry leaders, instructors, pastors, and, in some cases, parents.

From Training to Impact

Although only Perla participated as a speaker in the recent campaign, her experience demonstrates the effectiveness of the model.

Her journey has been progressive, beginning with participation in Adventurers programs and local church activities, and expanding through formal training in areas such as Bible studies, preaching, and leading small groups, said Almánzar.

Perla Suribell Salas (center) stands with church administrators and leaders during a special recognition following her evangelistic campaign in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, where she led 12 individuals to baptism. [Photo: Courtesy of Dominican Union]
“Perla’s story is very special,” Almánzar noted. “She was dedicated to the Lord from birth and today, she has grown into an evangelist.”

For Perla, the experience has strengthened her spiritual life and deepened her relationship with God.

“It has helped me grow closer to God,” she said.

A Broader Vision for the Church

“Although the program is recent, it is already generating significant impact,” Almánzar said. “It has awakened a greater interest in evangelism among children and adolescents and motivated churches to involve them more intentionally.”

Children who completed the two-year Evangelistic Training School pose for a group photo at Dominican Adventist University earlier this year. At right is Kenia Almánzar, children’s and adolescents ministries director of the Dominican Union, and at far left is Alejandra Casillas, academic dean of Dominican Adventist University. [Photo: Courtesy of Dominican Union]
She pointed to Perla’s campaign as a clear example of what is possible.

“When children are trained and trusted, God can use them in powerful ways,” she said.

The long-term goal is to prepare at least 50 children and adolescents to lead public evangelistic efforts across the territory, Almánzar said. The union has also committed financial support to ensure selected participants can attend training.

A Call to Invest in the Next Generation

For Almánzar, the urgency of investing in younger generations remains clear.

A group of children participating in the Evangelistic Training School pose together at the beginning of 2025. [Photo: Dominican Union]
“Training our children today is not optional, it is essential,” she said. “We are living in a time of uncertainty, where faith faces great challenges. We must prepare them to be agents of hope.”

She added that involving children in mission has a broader impact beyond the individual. “When a child learns to preach and share their faith, it not only transforms their life—it impacts their family, their church, and their community,” she said.

Pointing to Perla’s experience, Almánzar said it illustrates what can happen when young people are equipped and supported to serve. What began as a simple step of faith, she noted, has become a testimony of the impact of intentional training and involvement in mission.

Church leaders across the Dominican Union say the initiative is helping shift the focus toward actively involving children and adolescents in mission.