Rev. Madeline Flores-López, International Ministries (IM) Global Servant, passed away suddenly in the Dominican Republic on December 18, 2023, following a brief illness. She was 58 years old.

Madeline was born on July 11, 1965, in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico. In her years before becoming a global servant, Madeline served as an Associated Youth Pastor at Iglesia Bautista de Campo Rico in Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, and an Associate Pastor at Iglesia Bautista Mediania Alta in Loiza, PR.

In 1988, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico. In 1999, she earned her Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. She was ordained on May 20, 2001, by the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico.

In June 2002, Madeline was appointed by the Board of International Ministries to serve in the Dominican Republic as the coordinator of mission volunteers and groups throughout the Caribbean. Madeline identified teams’ strengths and matched them with service opportunities that empowered them to make a positive impact in the world and helped them grow in their faith. During her time with IM, she facilitated service opportunities for thousands of volunteers from the United States and Puerto Rico.

Madeline was very committed to serving the severely impoverished bateyes, which are communities of sugar workers, in the Dominican Republic. She facilitated teams to meet the local needs by bringing supplies such as food, clothes, and bedding. The teams also set up medical clinics, offered training in hygiene, birth control, and domestic violence prevention, and led Vacation Bible School programs. In 2018, Madeline wrote: “Those who are invisible to society now also need our help…they are part of the world and count. I try to make them part of my ministry here in the Dominican Republic. I make sure my visits include them!”

Madeline also had a ministry in Cuba while visiting the Eastern Baptist Convention and its Baptist churches in Jiguani, Granma, Santiago, Martin Luther King Center, the Baptist Seminary, and the Elderly Home in Santiago, among others. She spent most of her ministry in these communities, bringing hope and joy to countless families. The day before her passing, Madeline visited several bateyes in the DR, distributing gifts to the families to celebrate the joy of Christmas.

Madeline was known for her strength in lifting up and loving those in need. She was persistent and worked very hard to serve others. Many short-term volunteer teams speak of how their lives were transformed for Jesus because of time spent serving with Madeline.

IM gives thanks to God for the life of Madeline and remembers her through the words of Matthew 25:23, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Madeline is survived by her parents, Geraldine Lopez and Miguel Flores, and her brother, Miguel Angel, and his family.

The funeral and celebration of life services for Madeline were held in Puerto Rico on December 30, 2023, and January 2, 2024, and a memorial service in the Dominican Republic on January 13.