Joel marmolejos

Service Areas: Jimani

Ministry Areas:  Director, Discipleship and Media

Hi, I am from the island of the Dominican Republic, born in the town of Rancho Arriba. At a young age, I observed how meaningless life was in my environment. This observation created in me a curiosity about faith. This curiosity deepened when my father became a Christian and brought me to church with him. In my heart, I started to wonder, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” The Lord used this awakening to cause me to search and ask if He was there and if so, would He reveal Himself to me. After a time of struggling with the reality that I was living life as a half-hearted, lukewarm Christian, I experienced God’s great mercy through His forgiveness. Through the grace of God and the reading of scripture, God revealed Himself to me as the one true God, who sent His Son to become the Savior we all need, and the Life-Giver who alone is worthy to be praised. 

Fulfilling the Great Commission through missions impacted me and became increasingly important when I began translating in 2019. During this time, the Lord began to draw me into a deeper understanding of His great plan of redemption for all people. God's heart from the beginning has always been for us to know Him and be known by Him. He chooses to reach the world through us as He reveals Himself to sinful people. The Great Commission is a command, and our true delight is when we join God in His plan to demonstrate His love to others. We are a tool and conversion is the work of the Spirit from beginning to end. 

I have a passion for theology, videography, and people. However, nothing compares to when the Lord invites me to join Him in His plan by sharing the gospel with others. Evangelism and discipleship are two biblical imperatives that have impacted my personal walk. I enjoy fellowship, engaging with people, listening to people's questions, and getting involved by pursuing active relationships. 

I am grateful to be a part of what the Lord is doing through RTS in Jimani, DR. I want the truth of our Savior to be known in the world because He wants to be known. God uses us. God wants us to look away from our self-sufficiency to His all-sufficiency. Salvation belongs to the Lord, and He draws us unto Himself by His kindness that leads us to repentance. He gives us the opportunities and gifts to go, tell, and make disciples by teaching them what He has commanded. Pray that His kingdom grows in Jimani!