Mission Trips 2025

May Mission Trip to La Romana, Dominican Republic

May 10–21, 2025
Representing West Side Baptist Church – Topeka, KS

We’re excited to share that Jessamine will lead her first Short-Term Mission team (STM Team) – and Reverend Ivan E. Greuter will travel with her team – to La Romana, Dominican Republic, this May 10-21 2025, to serve alongside global servants Ketly and Vital Pierre, International Ministries (IM) Global Servants. This short-term mission is a unique opportunity to witness and support powerful, ongoing ministry among the Haitian immigrant communities on the island.

🌍 About the Mission – Ketly and Vital Pierre serve with the Alliance of Baptist Churches in the Dominican Republic (DR), focusing on the Haitian diaspora. Their ministry is grounded in four key areas:

  • Church Strengthening and Planting – They encourage existing congregations, raise up new leaders, and help plant new churches.
  • Discipleship and Training – They disciple new believers and train pastors and leaders to start sustainable outreach ministries.
  • Community Empowerment – Through the Vision Integral Community Center, a ministry they envisioned, built, and continue to lead, the Pierres provide practical and spiritual resources in La Romana.
  • Global Partnership – Ketly and Vital connect mission teams from the U.S. and Puerto Rico with local congregations, encouraging long-lasting, cross-cultural relationships.

Their work not only changes lives in the DR, it also inspires cross-cultural mission movements from the DR to the world.

🤝 Why We’re Going

We believe God is calling us to support this transformative ministry through hands-on partnership, prayer, encouragement, and learning. During our time there, we will work directly with local churches and community leaders to lead a Vacation Bible School program for 200+ children, support educational and outreach programs at the Vision Integral Community Center, learn about the unique challenges faced by Haitian immigrants, share the love of Christ across cultures and languages, enrich our knowledge and experience of the DR culture, food, and historic sites on the Caribbean island, and be great guests!

HOW CAN YOU JOIN US?

STAY CONNECTED 📷 – We’ll post updates, prayer requests, and reflections from the field on our FLICKR ACCOUNT (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsbctopeka/) and on the Church’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wsbctopeka. Follow along and lift us up in prayer!

PARTNER IN PRAYER – Please keep the STM Team in your prayers as we prepare for this journey, for safe travels, and the children and people of the Dominican Republic, especially the Haitian refugees. Ask God to boldly proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and raise a new generation of fully devoted Jesus followers, evangelists, pastors/teachers, and church planters. Ask the Lord to pour down the Holy Spirit upon the people and volunteers.

    DONATE NOW 💸- Your generous donations make this mission possible. Help cover travel expenses, supplies, and support for the local ministries in La Romana. Donate ONLINE at https://west-side-baptist-church.square.site/ or give by check by mailing your donation to West Side Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th St., Topeka, Kansas 66606 (Please note your donation is for the Greuters Mission Trip).

    SPREAD THE WORD – Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers! I’m excited to see what God will do through this mission and how we can make a difference together. 

    JANUARY LIBERIA AFRICA MISSION TRIP

    EXCITING NEWS:
    I’m Heading Back to Liberia
    in January 2025!

    I am thrilled to share that the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary in Liberia, West Africa, has given me an incredible invitation to teach two theology classes in January 2025! This trip is a chance for me to serve, learn, and be a part of something greater as we work alongside Christian friends to support initiatives in education, health care, and spiritual growth. Will you partner with me in prayer and financial support?

    PARTNER WITH ME IN PRAYER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT!

    MY GOAL: $5,000.00 per semester for airfare, visas, travel expenses, emergency/evacuation plans, and other necessities. Would you and your church prayerfully consider partnering with me through financial sponsorship? I can’t do this alone, and that’s where I need your help! Every contribution, no matter the size, will help bring me one step closer to being able to serve and make an impact.

    ALSO, I hope to RAISE $10,000.00 for PROJECTS and PROGRAMS in Liberia, such as Bible for Africa, Student Tuition Assistance, construction of the new Graduate Education Building, sustainable agriculture programs, library science and technology repairs, water purification systems, solar power project, and other humanitarian initiatives in Jesus’ name. Find a full list of projects and projected costs at https://wsbctopeka.org/serving-opportunities/liberia-africa-with-love/.

    HOW YOU CAN HELP: Partner in Prayer and Financial Support

    PRAY – Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this journey, for safe travels, and the people of Liberia that the Lord will boldly proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and raise up a new generation of fully devoted Jesus followers, evangelist, pastors/teachers, and church planters.

    DONATE – Any amount is greatly appreciated! If you feel led to contribute, you can donate via https://west-side-baptist-church.square.site/, mail your donation marked “Liberia Mission” payable to West Side Baptist Church, 1008 SW 4th St., Topeka, Kansas 66606 or reach out to me directly for more details.

    DONATE

    SHARE – Help spread the word!  Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers! I’m excited to see what God will do through this mission and how we can make a difference together. 

    Blessings, 
    Ivan+ 

    Students need Teachers!
    Teachers need Students!

    SCHOLARSHIPS: I am delighted God called me to travel 4,500 miles to teach students at the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary.

    However, students cannot attend classes or finish their training to be local church pastors because they lack funds for tuition. A class costs $580 (undergraduate) to $1,200 (graduate) per year.

    Sponsor a student to help them earn an education!
    DONATE TO the SCHOLARSHIP FUND

    STUDENT TUITION EDUCATION SUPPORT
    STEP: LIBERIA BAPTIST SEMINARY

    The Rev. Dr. Ivan E. Greuter is an active volunteer in cross-cultural education, theological education, community development, and humanitarian work. He works with indigenous people groups to train teachers of all ages in the Holy Bible, Christian Theology, and Missiology. While being an excellent educator, he also works to improve the quality of life for the people and neighbors. Ivan has served with the following partners in the United States/Puerto Rico and worldwide:

    • Campamento Bautista, Baja California, Mexico
    • Campamento Bautista, Ochomogo, Costa Rica
    • Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberia, Africa
    • Murrow Indian Children’s Home, Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA

    PS. He is always looking for volunteers to travel and serve with him. Interested? Contact Pastor Ivan! 

    DONATE NOW

    West Side Baptist Church is a registered 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Religious Charitable Corporation (USA Federal ID Number 48-0612483; Kansas Tax Exempt KSNKX22BJN, Exp. 10-01-2024). Donations may be tax-deductible as permitted by law: West Side Baptist Church, 1008 S.W. 4th Street, Topeka, KS 66606.

    Updated: 01 MAY 2025