Luis & Julie Añil Ministries

Luis (Chino) Alberto Añil was born and raised in the Dominican Republic.

 

When he was eight years old, one of his school physical education professors recognized that Luis had talent in sports at an early age, especially in pitching in baseball.  Trainers worked with him to develop his talent until he was 17, when he was considered to be signed for professional baseball in the United States.  He was eliminated for being too short, Luis is 5'6''.  This was in 1977 when there still was the policy on height in MLB.  Although this policy was eliminated two years later, the Major Baseball League recognizing that there are many good players who are shorter than 5'8'', Luis was devastated with this decision and did not continue with baseball.  Instead, he gave all his equipment and uniforms away and entered a private Episcopal high school to concentrate on his studies more seriously.

 

It was during this time that he began to learn about the Bible and Christian service to his community.  This began his spiritual journey. Through the years Luis continued his studies in the university and his professional work in tailoring.  He, also, always kept up with his involvement in baseball.

 

As a professional tailor in New York, prior to his full time ministry in the Dominican Republic, Luis tailored custom suits and blazers for many professional athletes and celebrities including: Orlando Cabrera, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rick Ross, Curtis Jackson (50 Cent), R. Kelly, Jay Z, Fat Joe, and Daddy Yankee.

 

While living in New York City, Luis met and married Julia Wenzell, a dedicated missionary with Campus Crusade for Christ.  Julie has dedicated her life to the ministry of Christ since she came to faith while attending William Woods College, a private women's college in Fulton, Missouri.  During Julie's lifetime of ministry, she has served as a missionary in New York City, Lebanon, Jordon, the West Bank, Israel, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

 

As a couple, Luis and Julie decided to return to his country in 2012 to work as missionaries with youth, utilizing baseball as the platform to minister to the youth of the Dominican Republic.  Luis recognized that baseball could be an open door, not only to help kids train in baseball, but to share Christ and teach them principles from the Bible in spiritual growth, good conduct, character, and making the right decisions throughout life.

 

Our ministry offers:

 

• Working with youth, utilizing baseball as the platform to build relationships and provide opportunities to share the Gospel and Biblical messages. 

• Working with and ministering to Law Enforcement including providing Bibles. 

• Visiting prisons to share the Gospel and Bible based messages.

• Working with recovering drug addicts.

• Working with journalists and local TV broadcasters. 

• Opportunities to speak in high schools, universities and churches, and weaving the importance of a spiritual, Christian life in the lectures.

• Open air Jesus Film showings.

• Working with kids of all ages in various levels of outreach, including home visits and Vacation Bible School.