ABOUT
Our Mission
Our mission is to live out the teachings of Christ in community. At the core of our DNA is Matthew 25:35 & 36 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Jesus is not asking us to do the impossible, only that we love those in need! Our missional mantra is that ‘We Are To Live Beyond Ourselves and Make a Difference’. It was this conviction to make a difference that led our family to the Dominican Republic.
In the mountainous northern region of ‘El Cibao’ we have been making a difference by planting new & thriving churches through implementing innovative solutions that address what we have identified as the 4 Pillars of sustainable communities; Clean Water, Food, Healthcare & Job Training.
We wholeheartedly believe that the most effective way of reaching these communities with the message of the Gospel is to provide innovative solutions to help meet their needs.
The Romano Family
The Romanos have always strived to follow God’s call on their life, wherever it may lead them. Prior to their move to the Dominican Republic (DR), the Romanos spent over 6 years serving the loving people of Mexico, helping to build over:
- 200 homes,
- 10 churches
- Home for troubled teens
- Missional housing center
Needless to say, they have always maintained their passion to see Christ in community.
In 2012, the Romano’s felt an urge from the Lord to move to the city of Santiago, DR. Their focus was on building & renovating churches, starting a café in the heart of the city that offered complimentary English classes and doing everything within their ability to improve their community. Their efforts to be a blessing to the community led to: repaired roads, a new bridge to provide a river crossing to town and restoring both a baseball field and basketball court.
The vision for Mission 2535 was birthed from within the needs of the community as Rick and Tammie listened to the challenges facing their Dominican friends. Seeing a desperate need for clean water, food, healthcare and vocational training, Rick and Tammie discovered an opportunity to truly live outside of themselves and make a difference in the lives of these communities. That same determination has remained with the Romanos ever since and their vision has only gotten bigger!
How We Met
Rick was raised in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. Maturing as a young teen in Cranbrook Alliance Church, Rick developed a passion for world missions as the Lord captivated his heart. Heeding this God-given desire, Rick enrolled in Canadian Bible College, graduating with a Bachelor of Religious Education with a focus on Missions.
Tammie grew up in charming Veneta, Oregon. A lover of Christ from childhood, Tammie worshipped at Veneta Alliance Church for many years. During a missions conference, Tammie caught a passion in her soul for global mission and likewise pursued this passion where it led to her graduating with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies at Canada Bible College.
Needless to say, it was at Canada Bible College that Rick and Tammie first met and their mutual passion for mission work began to create a deep connection. The relationship flourished, leading Rick and Tammie to marry in 1990 whilst they continued their studies in Canada. Upon graduating, Rick & Tammie launched their first church which soon ran out of money after their first year. Though it was a difficult experience, God taught Rick and Tammie to rely on His grace and plan for their lives. Shortly after this experience, God blessed Rick and Tammie with their first child, Jonathon.
A year after the birth of their first child, Rick and Tammie received an invitation to minister to the youth of Mt. View Alliance Church in Shelton, Washington. Within this role, the Romanos were invited to lead the church’s short-term mission trips into the port city of Ensenada, Mexico. Their second child, beautiful Rebekah, was born during their time serving in Washington.
It was during this exciting time that the Romanos truly grasped a passion for encouraging young people to get involved in overseas mission work. God opened the doors for Rick and Tammie to move and minister in Owen Sound Alliance Church, Canada. Rick pastored the youth while continuing to lead short-term mission trips to Ensenada. It was during this time that the Rick and Tammie were blessed to be surprised with twins; Abby and Moriah. After four years of service to God in Canada, the Romanos felt the leading of the Lord back to the Pacific Northwest.
Rick continued to use his gift and worked with the youth of East Hills Alliance Church in Kelso, Washington. It was during this time that the Romanos began to truly grasp the plan that God had for their lives. As Rick served in LIFE Youth Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, he had the pleasure of meeting Matt Peace. Finally, the wheel came full circle and the Romanos had the opportunity to return and serve where God had first begun working in their hearts 8 years before. The journey of the Romanos was symbolic of the work that God was doing in their hearts, molding them into who He wanted them to become.
