Dominican Republic Trip
More Than a Game
Follow the journey of our Volleyball and Soccer players who will use their gifts to serve others and share the Gospel in the Dominican Republic.
Grace Bruins - March 18, 2026
This August, CWC athletes will step off the field in Wisconsin and onto the mission field in the Dominican Republic. Instead of scoring goals, they’re sharing the Gospel. Instead of practicing spikes, they’re practicing service.
In partnership with GO Ministries, 65 soccer and volleyball players will travel to Santiago from August 17-24. Students will serve the local community through work projects and neighborhood sports camps. After a week of service and relationship building, students will get to scrimmage against Dominican teams and worship with a local Dominican congregation.
For Volleyball Coach Dan Ten Napel, this is more than a trip or opportunity to play abroad. It’s an opportunity to experience God working in a powerful way.
“Ever since I started coaching, I have had a deep desire to connect kids with discipleship,” explains Dan. Then came a trip that changed Dan’s life.
“I visited GO Ministries in the Dominican Republic and saw firsthand how their work impacted my children and other students on the trip. For a long time, I felt God calling me to take a group of our CWC kids there—I resisted it for a while, but the calling simply would not go away,” he says. “I believe this is a chance to see and experience God in a way our students never have before.”
Before students can stamp their passports, they will be required to complete training sessions led by pastors and ministry leaders to prepare their hearts and minds for cross-cultural ministry.
“We want to empower our students to share their personal testimonies by building relationships,” says Dan. “They will be trained to use their skill sets to disciple and share the Gospel. I want students to learn that athletics can be a platform to share their faith.”
Junior Kate Westra shared her deep hope for the trip is to see God use her and her teammates to positively impact the people they serve.
“Whether we are building relationships or simply playing games with kids, I hope we reflect Christ. I hope this trip strengthens our school spiritually and helps students grow in their faith,” says Kate. “It will be a great opportunity for our teams to build stronger relationships and grow closer.”
Kate sees the trip as an opportunity to put the lessons learned on the field and in the classroom into action.
“One of CWC’s throughlines is being a Servant Worker, and this trip gives us the chance to live that out,” said Kate. “Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t always easy, but it is a meaningful way to grow in your faith.”
How will the trip be financed?
Financial support for the trip will come from multiple sources. With a combination of church partnerships, team-wide fundraisers and family contributions, the group committed to keeping the trip accessible for interested students.
How does the trip fit into our school’s mission?
Whether they are conducting a science experiment, painting a canvas or solving an equation, students at CWC are taught that God has sovereignty in every subject. Students learn their talents in these subjects should be used to honor God. The same is true of our athletic programs. This trip is an opportunity for students to use their athletic gifts to serve God and bring Him glory.
How can the CWC community support our students?
Please pray for our student athletes as they prepare to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the Dominican Republic. Pray that God will open their hearts to experience Him in big ways. Pray that God will be glorified as they learn to serve in His world, in a community and culture very different from their own.
Watch for more information about the Dominican Republic trip and ways to support our students in the weeks and months ahead.
Learn More about GO Ministries
