A team of four Alabama Baptist state missionaries recently visited Haiti to begin making plans for the next stage of ministry in the earthquake-ravaged country.
Rick Lance, executive director; Mel Johnson, state disaster relief strategist; and Doug Rogers and Chris Mills, communications strategists, met with Haitian Baptist and Florida Baptist leadership in Jacmel Sept. 7–9 to provide encouragement and map out a strategy for the coming year.
While in Jacmel, the team visited two church sites and an orphanage. For Lance, it was an opportunity to see firsthand the initial results of Alabama Baptist volunteer efforts.
“I’m proud of Alabama Baptists for the work that’s been done and appreciative of the teams that have gone into Haiti,” Lance said. “I’m so encouraged by what’s already been done and look forward to greater things in the future.” To date, more than 100 Alabama Baptists have volunteered in Haiti.
The Haiti Baptist Convention is made up of six associations, each with its own director. The work is headed up by Pastor De Louis Labranche, director of ministry, a role roughly equivalent to Lance’s.
Labranche thanked Alabama Baptists for the work they’re doing and shared his vision for Haiti with the team. “This is the time to claim Haiti for Christ and Christ for Haiti,” he said, noting they have a goal of reaching 1.5 million souls for the Lord. “We ask you to help us in your prayers, because this is the time for the harvest in Haiti.”
Indeed, since the earthquake in January, 164,000 professions of faith have been recorded in Haiti and more than 200 churches have been started — six in Jacmel alone. “The people’s hearts are very open to the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Labranche said.
Another cause for celebration can be seen at the Baptist church led by Pastor Paul, who has worked with many of the volunteer groups and has been instrumental in the church plants in Jacmel. More than 250 people routinely attend Pastor Paul’s church, and they have outgrown their space, leading them to begin construction on a larger building.
Alabama Baptists’ work in Haiti is a result of a partnership with Florida Baptists, who have had a missions presence in Haiti for 15 years. In May, Alabama Baptists agreed to adopt Jacmel, a city approximately 25 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince. While Jacmel was affected by the earthquake, it also received thousands of new residents as many Haitians fled the capital city.
Dennis Wilbanks, associate director of partnership missions for the Florida Baptist Convention, is grateful for Alabama Baptists’ work in Jacmel. “It has made such a difference and kept the Church strong during this time of spiritual awakening,” he said.
Wilbanks pointed out that Haiti’s pastors are hurting, too, having lost loved ones, homes and church buildings. “In the midst of their hurt, they’re doing what Jesus called them to do, to minister in their communities. To have volunteers from Alabama come and work alongside these pastors, it gives them encouragement and God strengthens these pastors,” Wilbanks said.
The planning trip signaled a change in focus for the work in Haiti, as outlined by Johnson. “Initially our response here in Haiti was very specific — to bring relief to a disaster-ridden country. We’re now transitioning to a missions support response,” Johnson said.
“God has clearly opened the door now for us to evangelize, disciple and plant churches. We look to have a long-term effort, and our relationships with pastors and Haitian Baptist leaders are very positive. We have a golden opportunity to see a lot more great things come out of this.”
To learn how you can be a part of the missions work in Haiti, please visit www.alsbom.org/haiti or call 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 373.
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