Port-au-Prince, Haiti…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Haiti continues to grow at a rapid rate, in spite of the decades-long political turmoil, poverty, violence and natural disasters which have plagued the nation. Presently, there are nearly 300,000 church members overcrowding its 396 churches.
During a meeting earlier this year, church leaders throughout Haiti met to renew their commitment to their ministry and to unite for a more devoted service to the Lord and their respective communities. Focused on safeguarding the family unit, the leaders studied ways to strengthen and increase membership, foster a positive image of the church and harness the power of technology for the service of the church.
“We dream of covering all areas of the country, cities and villages, corners and recesses, in the years to come,” stated Pastor Mathias Theart St. Pierre, president of the church in Haiti.
A church in Haiti began in 1905 with only 25 members in the north region of the country, according to Pastor St. Pierre.
“From 1905 to 2005, the church experienced the rain of early season, ” said Pastor St. Pierre. “We wait for the Lord to pour on us the rain for the latter season. If our approach methods were rural before the century, from now on we aspire to those which are more modern and which my be adapted to the demands of modern times.”
Struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing modern world is what drives church leaders in Haiti to continue to share the gospel and deal with some of the challenges of church overcrowding and unfinished church buildings throughout the country.
A group of communications leaders from the church in Haiti conducted an intensive education seminar last month on using communication technology as an indispensable tool for the finishing of the church’s mission.
Although technology in this economically-depressed country has progressed at a snail's pace, church communication leaders remain committed to doing their part and use whatever tools and methods they have available, says Pastor Pierre Caporal, communication director for the church in Haiti.
“The use of technology can be of great significance for the church in Haiti, particularly in spreading the gospel, in winning more souls for the kingdom of God, in strengthening the members and youth to enter a world that is constantly changing,” says Pastor Caporal.
Pastor Caporal adds that plans are underway for the church headquarters in Haiti and its four regional offices to each have a webpage soon.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Haiti operates a hospital, a university, two schools, and a radio station.
