Joint meeting on work in Haiti

On Tuesday, October 27, 2010, representatives of three Reformed missions working in Haiti met together in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Missionaries Randy Lodder, the Rev. Benjamin Hopp and the Rev. Octavius Delfils (three on left of photo) as well as representatives of their respective missions (John Kottlenberg, Word & Deed, the Rev. Bernie Van Eyk, Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Rev. Douglas Clawson, Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC)) came together to discuss the future of the Reformed Presbyterian church in Haiti and the missions that support it. Not able to attend the meeting was the Rev. Esaie Etienne, a missionary with Mission to the World of the PCA working in Gonaives, Haiti.

The year 2010 has been a year of upheaval for the Reformed and Presbyterian missions working in Haiti. By God's grace, each of the missionaries and their families were spared in the earthquake of January 12. With the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010 and the subsequent upheaval falling on the church work following allegations of moral impropriety concerning Charles Amicy, it was important that we continue to move forward in a united way. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss together how God might use us in the work of building up the church of Christ and its members into maturity in the faith. While we are saddened by the continued unrepentant spirit exhibited by Charles Amicy and continue to pray for him, we are moving forward to establish an indigenous Haitian presbytery as the body that will examine and ordain men to the ministry and take charge of the future direction of the church.

The primary work of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Haiti has been centered on the island of La Gonave. This island of 110,000 people has seven churches are receiving teaching in the Reformed faith. The context is very rural and life for the people is difficult. In spite of these challenges they gather each Lord's Day to hear the preaching of the gospel. The pastors and leaders in the churches also come together for training seminars like the one pictured at right. Pastor Ben is encouraged by the men's desire to learn and their submission to the Word of God as they learn the doctrines of the faith. The connection of the churches to the presbytery will be a very important step as we look for pastors to lead these churches onLa Gonave.

Another also meets each Lord's Day in the Delmas section of Port-au-Prince. This church is a joint effort between the PCA and OPC and meets at the Adoration Christian Center, a project of CDIA. The church has weathered the storms of the recent past and there were over 60 people at worship this past Lord's Day. Pastor Delfils is the main pastor of this church as he labors to teach Bible studies and a membership class taking place during the Sunday School hour. Our desire is to see members added before the end of 2010. The outreach of the church is an ongoing effort to bring people into contact with the preaching of the Word of God, both from the local community and the Adoration Christian School. We are very thankful to be able to use the location as it serves the church well.

The other big news we have to report to you is the upcoming merger of Coram Deo International Aid (CDIA) with Word & Deed Ministries. CDIA will become a project of Word & Deed that is directed in-country by Randy Lodder. The project will include the school, sponsorship programs and other community development work to help those in the surrounding community. The long-term goal is to find a piece of property to build an elementary school, high school and community center. We also discussed the possibility of the church worshipping at the same location and having a facility for a seminary in Port-au-Prince. We continue to pray for God's wisdom in all these matters.

Where to do we go from here? Our primary goal and focus is the establishment of a Reformed and Presbyterian church in Haiti. The goal is that the church will have pastors who are well-trained in the Scriptures and love the people whom they serve. With these goals in mind, the discussions centered around the ongoing support of the church plant in Port-au-Prince as well as the creation of a Seminary in Port-au-Prince. Both these efforts are important so that men will have a place to learn the Scriptures as well as a church where they be involved and have an opportunity to learn the work of the church.

Alongside the growth of the church we recognize that the needs of the Haitian people are great. The merger of Coram Deo International Aid as a project of Word & Deed is focused on trying to help in the areas of community development, medical needs and poverty alleviation in ways that are sustainable.

As we move forward, desiring to glorify God through all our efforts, we have a number of concrete steps that are being taken. The long-term work of a Seminary will require someone to help administrate and coordinate the effort in Port-au-Prince. We are actively searching for someone with teaching and administrative experience who speaks either French or Creole. The church in Port-au-Prince is getting back on its feet and we are looking forward to adding new members soon. The longer term goal will be to plant other churches in the Port-au-Prince area as resources allow and the Holy Spirit brings people together who want solid, biblical preaching and teaching.

Please be in prayer for all these efforts. We recognize that while we sow the seed only God can give the increase. We are grateful that God has chosen our united efforts to bring people into the kingdom of His beloved Son.