SCORE Family,
Alejandro and Kristi lead the Como Árboles (Like Trees) children and families ministry in La Represa in the Dominican Republic. Neither one of them imagined that they would end up in full-time ministry and Kristi definitely did not see herself living in a Caribbean country, but they are thankful that God’s perfect plans are always greater than our own!
Alejandro was raised in La Represa and pursued a professional baseball career in his teenage years. When God closed that door and led him back home, He opened the door for him to serve as a coach for the local baseball ministry. While he was initially disappointed when God seemingly denied his dreams, he is grateful that his mission is now to invest in the youth of the community with his love for the Lord and baseball.
Kristi first went on a mission trip to La Represa in 2009 excited to meet her family’s sponsor child. After an immediate connection to the community and a few years of doubting her ability to be a missionary, she accepted God’s call to missions in La Represa in 2013. Sent by her home church New Vision in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, what began as a one-year commitment became three and a half years of serving in La Represa in various capacities.
In a story that could only be written by the Creator, Alejandro and Kristi were married and joined SCORE’s team of missionaries in 2018 where Alejandro continued using baseball to teach God’s Word and Kristi began coordinating the child sponsorships that brought her to La Represa in the first place! Over the last eight years, their roles have increased, and they have been amazed at how God has grown the Como Árboles ministry. The ministry staff currently includes 3 full-time missionaries and 8 part-time and full-time staff members who are greatly respected, appreciated, and loved by the people of La Represa. Their ministries in the community include a sponsorship program with Bible studies and activities for students from elementary school to college, a baseball program with daily devotionals and practices, and a family program that invests in and unites families to learn about God together. As a ministry, they strive to help all members of the families make decisions to follow Christ, experience gospel transformation and freedom, and get connected at a local church. Alejandro, Kristi, and the ministry as a whole have grown significantly thanks to the incredible staff that the Lord has called to serve their own community, the invaluable resources and support from SCORE and New Vision, and all of the sponsors and mission trip participants that make ministry possible in La Represa.
As they continue serving the community of La Represa, Alejandro and Kristi would appreciate your prayers for the following:
- That they would continue to learn and practice the biblical balance of marriage, family, and ministry now that they have a two-year-old daughter and five-year-old son.
- That God would grow them in knowledge of His Word and wisdom in leadership as they provide guidance and support their growing staff and the community.
- That the Lord would use the ministry leaders and local Christ-followers to share the gospel boldy so that the people of La Represa might be saved and transformed as only He can do.
- For motivation, diligence, and effectiveness as Alejandro and Kristi complete a few important processes in their family and ministry.
You can stay connected with the Reyes family and the Como Árboles ministry on their picture website (comoarboles.pixieset.com) and Instagram (@comoarboles).
– Alejandro & Kristi Reyes
To learn more about the Reyes Family and to support their ministry, click here!
