We are Rick and Carie Bernard, full-time Christian missionaries, our sending agency is Grace Covenant International, Platte City, MO. We currently live and work in the Dominican Republic engaged in a variety of missionary activities.

Acts 17:16 states that "his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city..."  The same stirring that moved the apostle Paul to reach the people of Athens, began to stir in the hearts of the Bernards on a short term mission trip, after visiting the city of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. Rick and Carie Bernard had served in various church ministries as: Sunday school teachers, Youth sponsors, Bible study leaders, Men's Ministry Leader and discipleship training and church planting and Eldership. They grew up in Faucett, Missouri. After spending nearly 10 years in Dallas Texas moved back to their home town prior to moving onto the field.

Rick and Carie were married on August 17, 1985.

"We enjoy working the ministry together and after 22 years are still the best of friends. We thank the Lord for the two children that God has blessed us with."

Our daughter Brittany, 21, her husband Christian Humble lives in Kansas City, MO and are preparing for full time ministry. Our son Ricky, 19, is currently living and going to the Bethel School of Ministry in Redding, CA

Since September of 2003 our family has been living and working in the Dominican Republic. It is our desire to see this part of the world transformed through local church planting, national pastors, children and community development.

Our Vision is to work alongside the Dominican people while building relationships with people based on the fruits of the spirit stated in Galatians 5:22, we believe that without relationships of trust and unconditional love with people it is impossible to fully integrate and be accepted into a foreign community.

We love to see the gospel go forth, and the amazing things God can do through all forms of mission work. We have a special heart for short term mission teams and we love them working along side us.

We seek to follow Jesus, bearing His love, mercy and grace to all people, especially the poor, sick and less fortunate. We hear his call to humility and servant hood. We believe that prayer is foundational in our life and ministry. In praying, we praise God, seek his direction, request resources, and call upon the Holy Spirit to empower our ministry.

We are evangelical and interdenominational. Our desire is to reflect the biblical unity of the body of Christ in proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God. We value the fact that we are in partnership with Bible-believing people from many denominations seeking to work together in unity. We value people. We believe that all people are loved and created by God. We give priority to people before money, resources, and conditions.

We acknowledge the intrinsic worth of every person – the poor, the partners, the nationals, the team, and the church. We celebrate the diversity of each person’s uniqueness.

We grew up in loving Christian families and attribute the Christian care and mentoring of our childhood to how the Lord is now prepared our family for continued work on the mission field. We value our upbringing and are thankful for the Godly love we received from our parents.

Together for Him,

Rick and Carie Bernard