>>Get to know who we are
Stephen Gruver
Hometown: Roanoke, Virgina
Age: 21
Major: Church Planting and Renewal
Hey, my name is Stephen Gruver. I am 21 years old. I am a senior at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, majoring in church planting and renewal. I enjoy Jesus, surfing, and traveling. I grew up on the mission field and going on mission trips regularly. God has given me a heart to spread his gospel to the third world. I have worked with many different organizations to help orphans, widows, the homeless, and most of all the lost. In my desire to build His kingdom He has brought me to Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, all over Africa, and many various places across the world. I have a desire to church plant and speak and this is why God has brought me to Moody. I have had a huge heart for the Dominican people and bringing the gospel to them. I am beyond stoked for the opportunity God has given our team to go. I pray that God will equip us to do His work and for me to be able to lead our team. I hope that you will support us with your prayers and finances in order that we can bring light to a dark world.
Age: 21
Major: Church Planting and Renewal
Hey, my name is Stephen Gruver. I am 21 years old. I am a senior at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, majoring in church planting and renewal. I enjoy Jesus, surfing, and traveling. I grew up on the mission field and going on mission trips regularly. God has given me a heart to spread his gospel to the third world. I have worked with many different organizations to help orphans, widows, the homeless, and most of all the lost. In my desire to build His kingdom He has brought me to Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, all over Africa, and many various places across the world. I have a desire to church plant and speak and this is why God has brought me to Moody. I have had a huge heart for the Dominican people and bringing the gospel to them. I am beyond stoked for the opportunity God has given our team to go. I pray that God will equip us to do His work and for me to be able to lead our team. I hope that you will support us with your prayers and finances in order that we can bring light to a dark world.
Ryan Majewski (aka Majew)
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Age: 22
Major: Pastoral Preaching
I love Jesus, He is my King. My life mission is this: To serve Christ in the places He takes me, with the gifts He has given me, so that He can recieve maximum glory for this vapor called life.
I was "ruined for the ordinary" when I was 16, after going on my first mission trip. The Lord has been faithful to provide a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a pillow for me to sleep on for the last 22 years. Resting in His faithfulness has given me peace that Christ will do the same in the Dominican and later on as I serve where He desires. I love evangelism, it is my heartbeat. My prayer for the Dominican is that we will have unity in the Spirit, allow ourselves to be interrupted and pour out all we have everyday knowing that God will fill us anew each morning. Prayer: the least and most we can do at the same time. Please be praying for our Spiritual health, physical well being, unison of the team and that the truth found in our Lord and Savior will go out mightily. Thank you in advance for your support, love and finances.
Our hope is in Christ alone and my prayer is this: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Age: 22
Major: Pastoral Preaching
I love Jesus, He is my King. My life mission is this: To serve Christ in the places He takes me, with the gifts He has given me, so that He can recieve maximum glory for this vapor called life.
I was "ruined for the ordinary" when I was 16, after going on my first mission trip. The Lord has been faithful to provide a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a pillow for me to sleep on for the last 22 years. Resting in His faithfulness has given me peace that Christ will do the same in the Dominican and later on as I serve where He desires. I love evangelism, it is my heartbeat. My prayer for the Dominican is that we will have unity in the Spirit, allow ourselves to be interrupted and pour out all we have everyday knowing that God will fill us anew each morning. Prayer: the least and most we can do at the same time. Please be praying for our Spiritual health, physical well being, unison of the team and that the truth found in our Lord and Savior will go out mightily. Thank you in advance for your support, love and finances.
Our hope is in Christ alone and my prayer is this: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
jake ochoa
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Age: 22
Major: Educational Ministry
A few of my favorite things in this world that help give people a better picture of my personality are sports, movies, candy, family, the city of Chicago, and television. Yes, my personality is more like a kids, and I'm okay with that. Although I am serious when I need to be, there is nothing better than the attitude and truthfulness of a child-- there is no acting. I love working with kids and my biggest passion in life is to show them the true love of Christ so that they can share it with their family.
Growing up in the city has given me so many different chances to work to build the Kingdom of God. It's never the same as each part of the city is unique in its own way. I come from a close nit Italian family that wouldn't want me leaving for a day to go to Indiana. I love the city and I love being around my family but for the first time I feel called to a new opportunity. A chance to serve in the DR is so exciting. I cant wait to travel for the first time and show the kids and family's in the DR the love of Christ.
Age: 22
Major: Educational Ministry
A few of my favorite things in this world that help give people a better picture of my personality are sports, movies, candy, family, the city of Chicago, and television. Yes, my personality is more like a kids, and I'm okay with that. Although I am serious when I need to be, there is nothing better than the attitude and truthfulness of a child-- there is no acting. I love working with kids and my biggest passion in life is to show them the true love of Christ so that they can share it with their family.
Growing up in the city has given me so many different chances to work to build the Kingdom of God. It's never the same as each part of the city is unique in its own way. I come from a close nit Italian family that wouldn't want me leaving for a day to go to Indiana. I love the city and I love being around my family but for the first time I feel called to a new opportunity. A chance to serve in the DR is so exciting. I cant wait to travel for the first time and show the kids and family's in the DR the love of Christ.
maryjo Edwards
Hometown: Costa Rica
Age: 23
Major: Pre-Counseling
I love adventures, the outdoors, being spontaneous, people, elephants, laughter, sunshine ... and much more and in no particular order. I grew up as a missionary kid in Costa Rica and through the years God has given me many opportunities to do different types of ministry around different parts of the world which has grown my desire to become a missionary overseas and to work with unreached people, sharing with others how He has radically changed my life and the unconditional love that He has shown me.
I am so so SO excited about the opportunity to go to the DR this summer, but am also nervous that I may never come back once I get there because that seems to be my tendency once I go somewhere ... I fall in love with the people and culture so quickly. My prayer is that God will wreck each one of us on this trip for His glory and that we would not sit back in a place of comfort but step out of our comfort zones, relying on the strength of the Lord in order to reach the people in the DR with His truth and love!
Age: 23
Major: Pre-Counseling
I love adventures, the outdoors, being spontaneous, people, elephants, laughter, sunshine ... and much more and in no particular order. I grew up as a missionary kid in Costa Rica and through the years God has given me many opportunities to do different types of ministry around different parts of the world which has grown my desire to become a missionary overseas and to work with unreached people, sharing with others how He has radically changed my life and the unconditional love that He has shown me.
I am so so SO excited about the opportunity to go to the DR this summer, but am also nervous that I may never come back once I get there because that seems to be my tendency once I go somewhere ... I fall in love with the people and culture so quickly. My prayer is that God will wreck each one of us on this trip for His glory and that we would not sit back in a place of comfort but step out of our comfort zones, relying on the strength of the Lord in order to reach the people in the DR with His truth and love!
Michelle Cox
Hometown: Pleasant Valley, New York
Age: 21
Major: Pre-Counseling
Even now that I live outside of New York, my life is usually all in a New York Minute, I enjoy living a fast paced life. I drink Coffee, a lot of coffee, I like to work out, run, play a lot of sports, although I am not necessarily good at any of them. I like to bake and make vegan/gluten-free food.
I love spending time with my friends and family, especially when it’s warm outside and we can enjoy the sunshine together. I love to hike, kayak, and just lay in the sun.
Since I was thirteen, taking Spanish class for the first time, I have wanted to work with people in the Latin American Community. When I was sixteen, and very involved with my church and youth group, I got to go on my first Missions trip to Ukraine, which sparked my passion for missions and serving others. Last year, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina, where I learned Spanish, and my passions for the Latin American population grew even greater. I love the Central American people, their culture and passion for life, and I am so excited for this opportunity to serve them. God has answered countless prayers as I prepare for this trip, and I can not wait to see how he is going to continue to work.
Age: 21
Major: Pre-Counseling
Even now that I live outside of New York, my life is usually all in a New York Minute, I enjoy living a fast paced life. I drink Coffee, a lot of coffee, I like to work out, run, play a lot of sports, although I am not necessarily good at any of them. I like to bake and make vegan/gluten-free food.
I love spending time with my friends and family, especially when it’s warm outside and we can enjoy the sunshine together. I love to hike, kayak, and just lay in the sun.
Since I was thirteen, taking Spanish class for the first time, I have wanted to work with people in the Latin American Community. When I was sixteen, and very involved with my church and youth group, I got to go on my first Missions trip to Ukraine, which sparked my passion for missions and serving others. Last year, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina, where I learned Spanish, and my passions for the Latin American population grew even greater. I love the Central American people, their culture and passion for life, and I am so excited for this opportunity to serve them. God has answered countless prayers as I prepare for this trip, and I can not wait to see how he is going to continue to work.
ashlyn slamans
Hometown: Sugar Grove, Illinois
Age: 19
Major: Communications
Journals, coffee, laughter, my kitty, nature, reading, chi-city, running, music, family, gluten free, studying, playing with kids, adventures, friends, pinterest cooking, and awkward jokes: a brief summation of my quirks.. Getting lost in the city seems to be a normal habit, but makes for great adventures-especially when it ends up in finding a new coffee shop. All in all, the heart beat of my life is Jesus Christ. Smile, laughter, joy, it's all from and about HIM. The Lord has radically changed my life and has blessed me so abundantly. Now I have one passion: to share that blessing!
There has been nothing I want more than to serve people, especially those in the Latin American culture. The Lord placed missions on my heart as a little girl and has faithfully given me those desires. Doing mission work in Illinois as a pre-teen led me to Nicaragua. The following summer I traveled throughout El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua as a missionary intern. When the opportunity arose to go to the DR, everything in me screamed, "YES!" I cannot wait to get busy serving people in the Dominican. Prayer: To HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to HIS power that is at work within US!!
Age: 19
Major: Communications
Journals, coffee, laughter, my kitty, nature, reading, chi-city, running, music, family, gluten free, studying, playing with kids, adventures, friends, pinterest cooking, and awkward jokes: a brief summation of my quirks.. Getting lost in the city seems to be a normal habit, but makes for great adventures-especially when it ends up in finding a new coffee shop. All in all, the heart beat of my life is Jesus Christ. Smile, laughter, joy, it's all from and about HIM. The Lord has radically changed my life and has blessed me so abundantly. Now I have one passion: to share that blessing!
There has been nothing I want more than to serve people, especially those in the Latin American culture. The Lord placed missions on my heart as a little girl and has faithfully given me those desires. Doing mission work in Illinois as a pre-teen led me to Nicaragua. The following summer I traveled throughout El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua as a missionary intern. When the opportunity arose to go to the DR, everything in me screamed, "YES!" I cannot wait to get busy serving people in the Dominican. Prayer: To HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to HIS power that is at work within US!!
Alyssa Gentile
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Age: 18
Major: American Sign Language
I currently attend a community college close to home, with a major in American Sign Language. Staying at home this year has been a blessing in disguise. I have had the opportunity to lead a small group for freshman girls in high school, and they have been nothing but an abundant blessing in my life. The Lord has been showing me that life is wholly about serving others, because in that one will find the greatest joy…just as Christ came to earth to serve, not to be served. I want to share the love that I have found in the Father with others desperately in need of that love. My prayer is for the Lord to shatter my own little world, interrupting my habitual routine and normal comfort, being the Lord’s hands and feet in the Dominican Republic. I pray that the people of the D.R will see the joy I’ve found in Christ and experience that joy for themselves. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27.
Age: 18
Major: American Sign Language
I currently attend a community college close to home, with a major in American Sign Language. Staying at home this year has been a blessing in disguise. I have had the opportunity to lead a small group for freshman girls in high school, and they have been nothing but an abundant blessing in my life. The Lord has been showing me that life is wholly about serving others, because in that one will find the greatest joy…just as Christ came to earth to serve, not to be served. I want to share the love that I have found in the Father with others desperately in need of that love. My prayer is for the Lord to shatter my own little world, interrupting my habitual routine and normal comfort, being the Lord’s hands and feet in the Dominican Republic. I pray that the people of the D.R will see the joy I’ve found in Christ and experience that joy for themselves. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27.