Latin American Women Gather in the Dominican Republic to Remain in His Light

United in worship, prayer, and purpose, around 600 women from 12 countries gathered in the Dominican Republic to deepen their faith, strengthen their fellowship, and carry Christ’s light to communities across Latin America.

Worship, prayer, testimonies, and renewed commitments filled Camp Roselis in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as around 600 women from 12 countries gathered from September 23-25 for the 2026 AMADA Latin American Women’s Congress. Under the theme “Remain in His Light,” women from across the region came together to deepen their walk with Christ, strengthen bonds of fellowship, and receive fresh encouragement for ministry. They returned home challenged to live out their faith and shine Christ’s light in their families, churches, and communities.

A Light That Unites Women Across Borders

From Argentina to Mexico, and from Brazil to the Dominican Republic, women arrived with different stories, cultures, and ministry experiences, yet shared a desire to grow in their walk with Christ. Pastors’ wives, ministry leaders, and other participants from across Latin America came together not only to learn from God’s Word but also to listen to one another, pray together, and strengthen the bonds of fellowship that connect the Alliance family throughout the region.

Organized every two years by the Women’s Ministry of the Latin American Alliance Fellowship, the gathering was made possible through the joint efforts of the regional women’s team and the Dominican Alliance Women’s Ministry. Their collaboration reflected the spirit of service that shaped the congress from its preparation through its closing moments.

For the Dominican hosts, welcoming sisters from across the region was both a responsibility and an opportunity to serve. Loida Rosario de Cuesta, National Leader of the Dominican Alliance Women’s Ministry, described the experience as an honor that strengthened not only the visiting participants but also those who helped prepare the event.

“Hosting this gathering was a significant challenge and a great responsibility; however, in every detail and throughout the preparation process, we experienced God’s support and teamwork,” Loida said.

She added that the plenary sessions, workshops, and times of fellowship encouraged the women to remain in God’s light, renewing their commitment to serve the Lord.

Learning to Walk in His Light

The theme, “Remain in His Light,” drew its message from the first letter of John, particularly 1 John 1:7:

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

During the opening plenary, Rev. David Muthre, president of the Latin American Alliance Fellowship (CLA) and the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) of Ecuador, invited participants to consider what it means to remain in Christ in a world marked by darkness.

Throughout the congress, the teaching sessions returned to the message of First John, guiding women to examine their hearts, deepen their fellowship with God, and live out their faith in their daily relationships.

Isabel Freire de Muthre, coordinator of AMADA, the regional Women’s Ministry, encouraged the women to use the gathering as an opportunity to become more firmly established in Christ and his Word. She challenged them to return to their countries, churches, families, and ministries with a renewed commitment to walk in his light and reflect him wherever God has called them to serve.

The plenary sessions and workshops addressed forgiveness, the condition of the heart, the perfect love that casts out fear, steadfast faith, and the call to proclaim Christ as the light the world needs. Devotional messages also encouraged participants to enjoy fellowship with God, make decisions that help them remain steadfast in their faith, and live in the victory found in Christ.

Women representing Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Mexico contributed to the teaching program. Their messages connected biblical truth with the realities women face in their personal lives, families, churches, and ministries.

A Place to Be Heard, Encouraged, and Prayed For

Beyond the main sessions, the congress created space for women to speak about their experiences and receive personal support.

Counseling teams were available at designated times throughout the event for participants who wanted to discuss situations they were facing. These conversations provided an opportunity to be heard, receive comfort, and seek guidance from Scripture in a setting designed to respect participants’ privacy and confidentiality.

The ministry also made room for testimonies from women serving as missionaries with the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) in Panama, Uruguay, and the Dominican Republic. They spoke about their experiences and the work God is doing through their lives and ministries.

These moments reminded participants that Christian fellowship involves more than gathering for worship. It also means listening, praying for one another, and walking alongside sisters who face different circumstances and challenges.

Several women who were interviewed during the congress spoke of being reminded of God’s love, their identity as his children, and his sovereignty. They also reflected on the importance of caring for their hearts, trusting God rather than yielding to fear, and living in the freedom that comes from forgiveness in Christ.

Celebrating the Cultures That Connect Us

The congress also celebrated the cultural richness of the women gathered in the Dominican Republic.

During an afternoon of cultural presentations, delegations shared elements of their national identities through traditional dances, displays, dramatizations, poetry, and other presentations. These expressions offered participants an opportunity to learn about one another’s countries while celebrating the diversity within the Latin American Alliance family.

The cultural activities complemented the spiritual focus of the gathering, giving women time to build friendships, exchange experiences, and appreciate the different backgrounds represented among them.

Loida Rosario de Cuesta expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work together and for the regional fellowship that the event encouraged. Her testimony reflected a central message of the congress: serving others can also become an opportunity for God to strengthen and teach those who serve.

A Story That Continues Beyond the Congress

The 2026 gathering continued a history of regional meetings through which Alliance women have sought spiritual growth, fellowship, and a stronger understanding of their calling.

The ministry began in 2009, when the regional leadership recognized the need to strengthen the biblical role and dignity of women in the church and society. Its first conference took place in Miraflores, Peru, under the theme “Restoring the Dignity of Women to Build Healthy Nations.”

Since then, AMADA has provided opportunities for women across Latin America to meet, study Scripture, share experiences, and encourage one another in ministry.

In 2019, 512 women attended the fourth AMADA congress in Milagro, Ecuador, under the theme “Caring for the Heart of a Woman.” In 2022, 510 women gathered in Armenia, Colombia, to reflect on the theme “Woman: Deep Design.” The 2024 congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, brought together 241 women under the theme “Women Who Radiate,” emphasizing faith, resilience, and the call to reflect Christ in their communities.

Each gathering has addressed different aspects of Christian life and service. Together, they reflect a continuing commitment to equip women to grow in faith, strengthen relationships across national boundaries, and serve their churches and communities.

As the women returned home, they were encouraged to carry the message of First John into their daily lives—to remain in Christ, treasure his Word, love their neighbors, and reflect his character in their families, churches, ministries, and communities.

The regional Women’s Ministry AMADA also continues to hold virtual meetings throughout the year. A post-congress gathering is scheduled for November 30, 2026. The next in-person congress is expected in 2028, with the host country yet to be determined following the 2027 AWF Latin America Regional Conference in Uruguay.

The women who gathered in the Dominican Republic came from different nations, but they left with a shared calling: to remain in Christ’s light and reflect it wherever God has placed them. May that light continue to reach homes, churches, and communities throughout Latin America.