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IT STARTED WITH A STORY

After the death of his first wife, Matt Henderson found himself on the streets of the Dominican Republic with a translator and a backpack full of Bibles to share the Gospel with the Dominican and Haitian people. 

He joined several short term trips, recruiting more people each year to join him.

In 2004 the Lord blessed Matt with Jenn, a missions minded nurse ready to join him in establishing Hope for Hispaniola.  Over the next  several years Matt, Jenn, Max, Wade, and Grace spent several months each Winter falling in love with the Dominican and Haitian People.

Much of the early ministry revolved around construction and evangelism, but it expanded as the group grew. Thus, Hope for Hispaniola was born.
Now, Hope for Hispaniola's short-term trips have grown to over 60 people from more than 10 different churches in the Western Pennsylvania area. This increase in members has ushered in an accompanying growth in ministries, such as construction, medical clinics, and VBS.

Hope for Hispaniola also conducts year-round ministries. In addition to building a school in La Higuera and continuing to fund the school's operations, the organization also supports full-time missionary Jake Vincik, who oversees Hope for Hispaniola's year-round ministries.
Ultimately, we as an organization - regardless of our growth -
are dedicated to our roots: to sharing the story of the Gospel
to anyone and everyone we encounter.
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To participate in the glorious redeeming work of God by partnering with churches in the Dominican Republic to offer hope to the Dominican and Haitian people who live there.

Hope for Hispaniola Mission Statement

HOW WE ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION


S H O R T    T E R M    M I S S I O N S

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Construction Projects
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Each year, the construction team works with our local church partners to determine the greatest needs. Past projects have included the Children's Center in La Higuera and a new building for Casa de Restauracion de la Familia church in Higuey.
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Medical Clinics 
The team sets up temporary medical clinics in different churches - primarily in Haitian villages - where people can come, be seen by a doctor, and receive the proper medication.
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Vacation Bible School 
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In an area nearby each church the medical clinic visits, kids can come and play games, sing songs, and listen to stories
​from the Bible. 
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Evangelism 
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Whether it's knocking on doors, visiting the local prison, or setting up outside the medical clinic, everyone has the opportunity to share their testimony with those they encounter.
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Women's Ministries 
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Partnering with Casa de Restauracion de la Familia church, the women on the trip serve the women of the church with a special time of fellowship and worship.
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Worshiping with
​Local Churches 
Each night, the team attends a different church to worship together with their brothers and sisters in Christ.
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L O N G   T E R M   M I S S I O N S

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The Food Ministry 
Full time missionaries Jake, Faye, Christian, and Luke try to assist local pastors by giving bags of food to hand out to the most needed. They also buy and prepare baskets for the traditional Christmas dinner, and give items for Easter.
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The Children's Center 
​
Located in the Haitian village La Higuera, Hope for Hispaniola has built and funded a school for children in the 3-5 age range. There, they receive valuable education, a spiritual foundation, and one meal a day.
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Supporting Casa de
​Restauracion de la Familia 

Hope for Hispaniola partners with Pastor Tony and his church in Higuey to
​continue the ​revival of the Gospel in
the Dominican Republic.
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Encouraging churches
​and their ministries 
The Vincik Family and Hope for Hispaniola come alongside local churches, assess their needs, and encourage and support their various ministries.
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Sharing the Gospel 
"'For everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without
​someone preaching?"

- Romans 10:13-14 (ESV)
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F U L L   S P E E D   A H E A D

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The Hope for Hispaniola Mission Center 
The Lord has provided Hope for Hispaniola with 5.3 acres of property that will serve as a base for the short term teams, a retreat location for local churches, and a home for the permanent medical clinic. Construction began in November of 2020.
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Permanent Medical Clinic 
On the Hope for Hispaniola property, construction began for a permanent medical clinic owned and operated by Portage Community. It will be staffed year-round and will provide consistent medical care to the community, as well as further opportunities to ​spread the Gospel. 
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Continuing God's Good Work 
As we move ahead with these new projects, Hope for Hispaniola will continue to focus on the short term missions and long term change, as well as being open about whatever new opportunities He provides.
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​A B O U T
THE VINCIK FAMILY


Jake Vincik moved to the Dominican Republic in 2018 to serve as a full time missionary on behalf of Hope for Hispaniola. Working alongside him is his wife, Faye, and their two children, Christian and Luke.

“I never imagined pursuing full time missions.  All I can say is that this is a total God thing.  Who am I to serve God in a third world country? Who am I to share the Gospel?  I'm broken, I'm a sinner, and I have a past. God is in the business of using people like me to do His work. All through the Bible are stories of messed up people becoming great servants and I would like to be one of those servants.”

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​In the Dominican Republic, Jake oversees many of Hope for Hispaniola’s ongoing missions, including building projects, the food ministry, and the Children’s Center in La Higuera. The Vinciks also work alongside Pastor Tony and his church, Casa de Restauracion de la Familia, in Higuey to meet needs in both the congregation and local community. 
​

About The Stevens Family

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In March of 2023, Mark Stevens came down to help out wherever was needed on the HFH property. During that time he felt called into full time ministry. Mark has a heart and desire to serve those who are or were struggling with addiction. His dream is to open a Christ centered rehab center.
Since moving here, he is now married to Ericka and they have a daughter Mia together.

H O P E   F O R   H I S P A N I O L A
​B O A R D   M E M B E R S

Matt Henderson - President
​Matt founded Hope for Hispaniola in 2005 after many trips to the Dominican Republic. Now, he serves as the President of the Board and oversees the operations of the organization. Born and raised in Oil City, PA, he graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a degree in Civil Engineering. He then used that degree to start his company, Henderson Construction Fabrics. His wife, Jennifer, and three kids have all been heavily involved with Hope for Hispaniola and share his deep love for the Dominican people. Dios te Bendiga.
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Jennifer henderson
Jenn Henderson graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in 1996 with a Diploma in Nursing, RN. She then got a BSN from Florida International University in 2000. Though she has worked in various nursing roles over the years, her favorite is community health nursing, wellness, and prevention. She began going to the Dominican Republic in 2004 alongside her husband, Matt, and has used her skills as a nurse to serve the people of the Dominican Republic. Dios te bendiga!
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Pastor Chris palmer 
​Chris has been involved with Hope for Hispaniola since the beginning. His family – wife Gerri and kids Lydia and Christian – also have gone on multiple trips with Hope for Hispaniola and serve as amazing advocates of its mission. Chris is the Associate Pastor at Victory Family Church, a church that sends many members on Hope for Hispaniola’s short-term trips. He oversees Missions at Outreach Ministries at Victory. In addition to his church ministry, Chris also owns LawnWorks, Inc, a Design-Excavating-Instillation-Maintenance Company.
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Steve Michalik
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Dr. Steve hagberg
Dr. Hagberg graduated magna cum laude from Grove City College in 1999 after earning B.S. degrees in Molecular Biology and Psychology. In 2003, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while on scholarship through the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program. During medical school he was elected a member of the AOA honorary. He then completed his Family Medicine Residency at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
 
Following graduation, he was stationed at Misawa Air Base in Japan where he spent the next three years. During this assignment, he also completed one tour of duty in Iraq as Officer in Charge of the Detainee Health Operations at Camp Bucca. Following his separation from the Air Force, he joined the Heritage Valley Family Medicine Residency Program faculty where he taught until transitioning into his current role as Program Director. He is also a graduate of the Faculty Development Fellowship at Michigan State University and his special interests in medicine include procedures and sports medicine.
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Jake Vincik
​Jake is a native resident to Western Pennsylvania and has lived in different areas in Beaver County. Jake has a heart to serve people in all areas. He has coached many youth sports while living in the USA, he had also held many leadership roles in the churches he attended. Jake and his wife, Faye, moved to Higuey, Dominican Republic in January 2018 with their two kids, Christian and Luke. Jake also has a son, Trent, who lives in Western PA. He has been a part of HFH since 2011, serving and going on short term missions trips. They have led and helped with various ministries while there. The latest project consists of building a medical clinic and pastoral training facility that will also serve incoming short term mission groups. Jake’s 20 plus years in construction and 4 years in finance and management has created a great background for this project.
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C O N T A C T

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Mailing Address

Hope for Hispaniola
P.O. Box 92
​Zelienople, PA 16063
Email

[email protected]
  • Home
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