Contact: Craig Chastain, 503-614-1554, craig.chastain@palau.org
AZUA, Dominican Republic, Feb. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Global evangelist and author Mike Silva has targeted some of the world's most deprived regions in a lifelong mission to reach the world for Christ. His recent "Festival por la Vida" in Azua, Dominican Republic, challenged his team as never before and brought an historic movement of God to a region battered by hurricanes, illiteracy and poverty.
Azua, a city in the Dominican's southwest corner, has been recovering from the physical and spiritual devastation of hurricane Noel. Electricity, fresh water and hope were in short supply when the Silva team began a week of activities and celebration that would see more than 34,000 people make public decisions for Christ.
A dedicated group of international and local volunteers produced a leadership conference for pastors and church leaders; gatherings for young women and pastors' wives; a business and civic leaders event; a children's celebration; and the largest two-day festival ever staged in the country with more than 160,000 people in attendance. In the spirit of Christian compassion, the team also dug a desperately needed well, distributed 4,200 bags of food and clothing, helped rebuild an historic church, and restored electricity to thousands of Azuans.
The festival brought international singers Jaci Velasquez, Miss Tani, Raza for Christ, and Rescate, NFL star Leonard Weaver, and NHCLC President Samuel Rodriguez to share their talents and personal stories. Speaking in both English and Spanish, Silva displayed his gifts for adapting the Gospel message to local customs when he took the stage with a goat - one of the country's most valuable commodities. As an example of God's free gift of salvation, the evangelist gave the goat to a mother of 5. More than 20,000 decisions to follow Christ were recorded that night.
Azua Mayor Milciades Soto expressed the thanks of a grateful city at ceremonies dedicating the new well. Silva likened the fresh clean water to the "water of life" that comes with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The mayor and his family later joined with 34,344 Dominicans who made public decisions. Those commitments were bathed in counsel and prayer by thousands of "Friends of the Festival," many of whom were trained to work with the country's substantial illiterate population.
"Unquestionably, God brought us to the right place at the right time," said Silva. "The Dominican people are so welcoming and their need was so great. We were humbled by the challenges – and the harvest – God gave us all in Azua."
Mike Silva International is an Oregon-based outreach ministry committed to bringing the Good News to areas of the world where the Gospel is seldom or never heard.
