Haitian Ministry

This article is to be the first of many stories on the Haitian Church Planting Team- a very significant aspect of T.E.A.R.S. Ministry. For those who are not very familiar with the Haitian outreach, I would like to start with a story of how, by God’s grace, this all got started.
Hector Julio moved from his native country Haiti to an eastern province in the Dominican Republic named La Romana. While he was there, Diana’s cousin explained that in La Vega there were a great number of Haitian communities with many needs. After hearing about this, Hector’s heart was very moved, and in May of 2002 he moved into the community of Soto in La Vega.

He is now the pastor of the Iglesia Cristiana de Soto, a congregation of 150 members, overseeing a Church Planting mission currently involving twenty leaders. These leaders will reach the unreached with the gospel, focusing especially on communities where churches have not yet been established. The Iglesia Cristiana de Soto will serve as a Model Church; subsequent churches will resemble the original but will also given liberty, unique and self-governed, shaped by an individual group of believers.

In order to learn how to be disciples and make disciples, leaders pass through a Biblical Institute, consisting of two levels. The Haitian Ministry has seen eight graduates from the first level and three graduates from the second. The Biblical Institute launched in 2004, and in December of this year will initiate a third level, paving the way for further training and growth.

Hector lives with his wife Diana and three children: Baez (14), Behn (12) and Jeffry (10). Manuel or Felix (22) also lives with them, as well as Rosalina (10), who they recently adopted. They share a small space behind the church, living in very close quarters, but nevertheless thanking God for all his grace to them. There are many who live in far more severe conditions.

In light of this reality, Hector has also undertaken to provide a dormitory for the homeless. In a building next to his house, thirteen Haitians have found a place to rest. One issue they struggle with is legality. Haitians cross the border in groups to seek work, many illegally so. The situation there is so desperate that many are seeking to escape. However, the church is only able to house those immigrants who have come over legally, which unfortunately are very few.

Hector also really has a heart for the many children in his community. In our conversation on Saturday, he mentioned how many young ones he sees walking in the streets, cleaning boots or begging to earn money. They often ask for help and receive beatings for it. This has stirred in him a desire to found a school, with the initial objective of providing children with the necessary documentation, and secondly- of course- education. Hector is in contact with an Advocate who will aid them in this.
“When one accepts the LORD,” Hector says, “it is a reason to rejoice. There are many Haitians in our community who love God.” Two by two, house by house and cell group by cell group, the Kingdom of God is moving forward through and within this wonderful ministry, as God continues to heal and restore the countless broken communities of La Vega. May the redemption continue, even until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 9:20 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.