Erica Jude, Missionary
Dominican Republic

Written by: Rene’ A. Bancroft

There are many ways in which a missionary is prompted to serve. The most compelling attitude is the pure and simple love for Christ. II Corinthians 5:14 says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” This is the kind of love that drives Erica Jude. “Erica Jude is a model missionary. If I were asked to give the name of one person in the Dominican Republic for ALL women to follow, it would be Erica Jude. This is without hesitation!”–Ron Bishop. She and her husband Nathan, along with their two daughters Mali and Brinkley, have been serving as a SCORE Missionary family since 2006. The Lord has directed them to plant many dynamic churches in the Dominican Republic. However, as the years progressed, Erica saw a great need to organize a ministry specifically to the women of the area. In 2008, Erica gave a proposal to the SCORE leadership team to do just that! The vision the Lord gave her was realized and Erica Jude became the first Director of Women’s Ministries in the Dominican Republic. Along with her assistant Megan Hansen, and a team of several other women who are serving with SCORE in the same area, the impact is far-reaching. Erica and her team have made it a priority to share the gospel with some of the country’s neediest women.

Their first endeavor was to start Lily House, which serves as a trustworthy and safe place for women to go who desperately desire to escape the world of prostitution. Erica saw firsthand the need to reach these hurting women and their families because they were living in her own neighborhood. These women feel loved and completely without judgment as they are met “just as they are” by Erica and other volunteers at Lily House. Through Lily House, the local women receive the practicality of free hygienic supplies, other health materials, learning real job skills, along with the personal side of hearing God’s Word. Lily House has become a place that is well known for offering safety and freedom – Freedom from a life on the streets and more importantly freedom in Christ.
SCORE International is tremendously blessed to have a woman like Erica Jude as the face of Women’s Ministries in the Dominican Republic. Recently, during Women’s Mission Week in October 2011, Erica and her team hosted their second annual conference with over 90 women in attendance. These women gathered in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic from all over the United States. It was truly an incredible experience to watch the U.S. women ministering to the women of Juan Dolio in such practical and loving ways. With the truth of the gospel and Erica’s passion to minister, countless women have changed the course of their life and that of their family, forever. SCORE International would like to thank Erica Jude and her family, for their dedication to the missionary work that is being accomplished on a daily basis at Lily House and in the churches they have planted. The growth that is seen happening through the Women’s Ministries under Erica’s guidance has been exponential, with the assurance that the trend will continue!
“We just want to say thanks to a special lady. We know ALL our Dominican ladies agree and will follow your example of Godliness!”–Ron Bishop.