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

Construction Projects
​​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.
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.
Vacation Bible School 
​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. 
Evangelism 
​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.
Women's Ministries 
​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.
Worshiping with
​Local Churches 
Each night, the team attends a different church to worship together with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

L O N G   T E R M   M I S S I O N S

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.
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.
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.
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.
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)

F U L L   S P E E D   A H E A D

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.
Permanent Medical Clinic 
On the Hope for Hispaniola property, construction began for a permanent medical clinic owned and operated by the Hartman Initiative. It will be staffed year-round and will provide consistent medical care to the community, as well as further opportunities to ​spread the Gospel. 
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.

​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.”

​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.
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!
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.
Lisa Gouldsbarry
​Lisa went on her first trip with Hope for Hispaniola in 2014. Since then, she has been to the Dominican Republic seven times with her daughters Abby, Danelle, and Jeslyn. Her husband, Ed, also went on a trip. In addition to their three daughters, Ed and Lisa have a son named Hudson. Lisa has always had a passion for missions, and she is so thankful to be able to work with Hope for Hispaniola on the trips and on the board. In addition to her involvement with Hope for Hispaniola, she is also the Office Manager at Tiger Pause Youth Ministry in Beaver Falls, PA. The trips to the Dominican Republic have changed her life and the lives of her daughters, and she looks forward to many more opportunities in the future to take the Gospel to the people in the DR.
Stanley Hagberg
​Stan spent 21 years with World Venture serving in Indonesia. He was on the pastoral staff of Chelten Baptist Church for 28 years serving as the mission’s pastor among other duties. In addition, Stan also served as a chaplain at an ACTS RETIREMENT LIFE COMMUNITH for seven years. He went on his first Hope for Hispaniola trip to the Dominican Republic in 2019 and joined the board that year. Additionally, his son Steve and many of his grandkids also go on these trips as well. He is so thankful for the opportunity to continuing serving God through missions.
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.
Stephanie McCaslin
​Stephanie began going on Hope for Hispaniola’s short-term missions’ trips in 2015 so her daughter Katie could go. Her husband, Todd, and their four children have all participated on the trips since that faith-building and life changing trip in 2015. She joined the Hope for Hispaniola board in 2018 in addition to attending the annual short-term trip. Stephanie loves the ongoing relationships she has formed and her involvement with Hope for Hispaniola is one of passionate ministry. Stephanie works at Nursing ABC/Portage Learning as the Executive Assistant, does Project Management and works with their non-profit which works in the Dominican Republic.
Rich Shaffer
​Rich has been involved with Hope for Hispaniola since 2017 and has been on the Board of Directors since 2019. He lives in Portersville, PA with his wife, Heather, and his four kids – Ansley, Jacob, Luke, and Jed. Though he participated a variety of ministries on the Hope for Hispaniola trips, he enjoys working on the Evangelism team the most. He welcomes the opportunity to share the Gospel with everyone he meets and hopes to continue spreading the Gospel to the Dominican Republic on future trips.
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.

C O N T A C T
Mailing Address

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

[email protected]