RTS Missions – Growing God’s Kingdom

By Karen McBride
Published in the Dunndeal Gazettes August, 2023

Greg and Maria Shepherd were called into full time ministry in March 2005 when they left their full-time jobs to help plant a new church. In June 2006, they took their first mission trip to Haiti and were radically changed by that trip. Shortly afterward, they founded RTS Missions.

Serving in Haiti

Once the Shepherds knew God had called them to Haiti, they began leading teams from around the country into Haiti for short-term mission trips in 2007. In January 2013, they sold everything they owned and began raising funds to move to Haiti as full-time missionaries. Greg, Maria, and with their son, Caleb, moved to Haiti in 2014.

“God just broke my heart for those people,” said Greg.

During their time in Haiti, they were part of a team that started two schools educating almost 800 children and began six churches in the area. In the five years they lived in Haiti, Greg and Maria employed 80 national employees, and led 120 teams of volunteers who helped the food insecure, taught children the gospel, and ministered to people who may not have the chance to attend church.

Feeding the Food Insecure

RTS Missions partnered with the international food distribution organization, Feed My Starving Children, to provide over 40,000 meals a month to children and families in need. The mission’s teams travel along the border of Haiti and Dominican Republic to provide food to families that may not know where their next meal is coming from.

Your donations can make such an impact on a food insecure family. For as little as $25 per month, a family of six can eat nutritious meals including rice, beans, and other vitamin-enriched foods.

Moving the Ministry to Dominican Republic

Greg and his family moved back to Tampa Bay in 2019 to take care of some family and health priorities. The goal was to return to Haiti every few months, but then COVID hit and travel to the country was limited.

They didn’t realize at the time, but this was all part of God’s plan. Within a few short months, riots broke out and the unrest in Haiti grew.

The family knew it was time to leave Haiti and expand the ministry. Their plans were to find a location that would have room for education, spiritual development, and to care for physical needs with a medical clinic. The family prayed about it every night.

One day, through a church member, they heard about property in the Dominican Republic. The 25-acre property has 18 classrooms, an open-air chapel, a guest house that sleeps over 50 people, a two-story building that was originally an orphanage and is now used for training and has rooms for medical staff and a hospital with surgical rooms.

Greg couldn’t believe that God had opened this door for the mission. The land and buildings were free, but there was still the $7,000 monthly upkeep for maintenance and staff that seemed imposing. He faithfully went to his board, but they didn’t think it was possible. After many nights praying, God opened that door and the ministry moved to the Dominican Republic.

Matthew 19:26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

RTS Missions employs Dominican nationals to operate the facility, and child advocates lead over 100 children weekly in spiritual discipleship, games, and tutoring in their His Kids program.

Greg travels back and forth between Tampa and the Dominican Republic each month leading missions and serving the local community.

His Kids

We are called to reach the next generation and impact our world with the gospel. His Kids reaches out to the children of the community and teaches them God’s word and how to apply it to everyday life.

There are hundreds of kids waiting to get into the programs, but RTS Missions needs the resources for the children. The cost is $25 to disciple a child for a month. The money goes to the curriculum, child advocate leaders, and supplies.

On a Recent Mission’s Trip

Judy Dedmon served on a recent missions trip to Jimani. She was really touched by the people in the community and how they welcomed the missionaries. The people live in abject poverty, some not knowing where their next meal was coming from, yet they didn’t complain. They yearned to hear about Jesus.

In 2004, a huge flood devastated the community and hundreds of lives were lost. The river had been dry for years but heavy rains in the mountains caused it to breach and flood Jimani. They spoke to a woman who had lost her four children and another woman who was staying with her extended family the night before and by morning they were all gone. And yet, these were the people that shared that the local church came and prayed with them. They found peace through the love of Jesus.

“I’ve been on many mission trips before, but I have never seen the Holy Spirit work in the way He did in the hearts of the people we met and in the hearts of our team. It has impacted me more than any other trip I’ve been on,” said Judy.

How You Can Serve

Contribute to His Food
https://www.rtsmissions.com/his-food-distribution
Go on a missions (impact) trip
https://www.rtsmissions.com/impact-trips
“It is amazing to see how the impact trips have grown in a few short years. Sixteen teams have gone or are scheduled to go this year and 6 teams are registered for 2024,” said Greg.

RTS International Internship: Reaching, Teaching, and Sending

Are you interested in becoming a missionary? RTS Missions Interns serve for 3-9 months at the campus in Jimani, Dominican Republic.

There are a variety of jobs to choose from, but you will get the opportunity to learn basic Spanish, experience a new culture, be deeply involved in ministry, and form relationships that will last a lifetime. Interns are mentored by an experienced team and are trained in ministry, leadership, intercultural skills, and community development.

To qualify for an internship, you must:
• Have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
• Have a consistent walk with the Lord for at least the last two years
• Be at least eighteen years (18) of age
• Be a member in good standing at a local church
• Have conversational fluency in Spanish is a benefit but not mandatory
• Preferably have experience in the area for which you are applying

Think about the impact you could have on a person’s life. Whether you can go to the Dominican Republic or sponsor one of the programs RTS Missions provides.

“The reason RTS Missions is here is because of a life transformed from a short-term mission trip,” said Greg.

For more information, contact RTS Missions at 813.807.7010 or via email at info@rtsmissions.com. Visit their website at https://www.rtsmissions.com

Photos submitted by Judy Dedmon.

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