February 15, 2012 – Port-au-Prince, Haiti…Libna Stevens/IAD
Two years after a devastating earthquake claimed 300,000 lives, top Seventh-day Adventist leaders visited the island nation earlier this month to offer encouragement and to monitor the rebuilding progress there. More than 500 Seventh-day Adventists died and dozens of churches and schools were destroyed.
Adventist World Church President Ted N. C. Wilson was among the church leaders visiting Haiti. Accompanied by his wife Nancy and Inter-American Division (IAD) administrators, Pastor Wilson was welcomed by Pastor Theart Saint Pierre, president of the church in Haiti. Pastor Wilson made a brief statement to more than two dozen TV, radio, and print reporters during a special press conference at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince.
Pastor Wilson said his visit was one to spend quality time with members, visit institutions and encourage members and the people of Haiti that “the basis of our Adventist message is the Word of God.”
His three-day visit to the country included a trip to Cap-Haitien in the north, where the Adventist message entered the island nation in 1905. Pastor Wilson and church leaders were met by its three mayors, the press and hundreds of church leaders, pathfinders and church members.
Mayors Wilbrode Beon, Jean Cherefant and Rosevelt Francois welcomed church leaders on behalf of the 211,000 citizens of the Cap-Haitien and gave the Adventist president a key to the city. Mayor Beon praised the work of the Adventist Church in Cap-Haitien and the committed support of the young people and church members in cleaning and beautifying the city.
It was the first visit to Cap-Haitien ever made by an Adventist world church president.
Hundreds packed the Temple Adventiste No. 1–the oldest Adventist Church in Cap-Haitian–to hear Pastor Wilson’s message.
“I want you to know that even though you may not be visited much, you are an integral part of the Adventist World Church around the world.” He said. “Regardless of the difficulties you may face, your God will stand by your side.”
“The world church has been touched by the destructive earthquake which hit the country,” he continued. “I’m glad that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been key in helping alleviate the suffering.”
Pastor Wilson reminded the congregation of the importance of a spiritual revival, reaching out into the community in preparation for Jesus’ Second Coming. He also reaffirmed the importance of the Scriptures.
“Whatever you face, God has the answer,” he said. “Remember the problems you face can be made strength in your life so I urge you to stay close to Jesus and others.” Pastor Wilson’s message was broadcast to the entire country on the radio as well as the internet.
Church leaders toured the Cap-Haitien Adventist school, the new site of their auditorium and medical clinic.
Later during the one-day visit in the north, more than 3,000 crowded the Gymnasium du Champ de Mars in downtown Cap-Haitien to worship and be part of the historic visit.
“We have longed to see the church in North Haiti, to know and celebrate with you blessings of God,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the IAD. It was Pastor Leito’s second visit to Cap-Haitien.
In the capital of Port-au-Prince, the group visited one of many crushed churches in the capital city. It was there in the Christ-Roi Church where Pastors Leito and Wilson laid the first stone for a new temple, as members gathered to witness the historic event under the one-day temporary structure built by Maranatha Volunteers International.
Christ-Roi Adventist Church symbolizes a number of churches beginning its reconstruction from the ground up in Port-au-Prince, according to Pastor Saint-Pierre. Church leaders are waiting for the government to release new building codes for several churches in the jurisdiction of downtown Port-au-Prince near the National Palace.
Church leaders continued the tour Haiti Adventist University in Diquini, Carrefour, where more than 25,000 displaced persons found refuge for over 18 months.
Ivon Jerome, the mayor of Carrefour, presented Pastor Wilson with the key to the city and praised the work of the Adventist Church and the university during the months and year after the earthquake.
Thousands of students and faculty staff welcomed the Adventist president and team of church leaders on their campus and gathered to hear Pastor Wilson’s message during a special chapel session.
The first stone was laid to begin the construction of a new men’s dormitory on campus, since the existing one is not safe to inhabit. The two-story dormitory will include 88 rooms and represent a turning point for the increased enrollment at the Adventist university, said its president Jean Josue Pierre.
Pierre thanked Andrews University for the blueprints and contributions to the dormitory project as well as the General Conference for funds from the 13th Sabbath Offering , Maranatha International for rebuilding the wall around the large campus and the more than 30 one-day structures as classrooms, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and the IAD for committed support on campus.
Pastor Wilson also toured the more than 30 one-day structures built by Maranatha Volunteers International on campus and listened to plans for some 100 one-day school structures to begin with contributions from ADRA International.
Wilson and his wife Nancy also visited the Adventist hospital, ADRA-Haiti office, Adventist radio station, churches, conference and union church headquarter office in Delmas, Port-au-Prince.
Pastor Wilson encouraged pastors, administrators and employees to keep serving God in the midst of trials and difficulties. He challenged members to be prepared for the Second Coming and share God’s truth of Salvation in their communities.
For the church in Haiti, Pastor Wilson’s visit meant a boost among the church membership in the entire country, said Pastor Theart Saint Pierre.
“We have been encouraged, we have felt the love and the care from the Seventh-day Adventist Church around the world and are thankful to belong to such a wonderful family,” said Pastor Saint Pierre. “Our church in Haiti continues to praise God for His goodness, and continues to sharing the hope of salvation.”
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Haiti has nearly 273,000 church members and
480 organized churches, and operates a hospital, university, radio station and dozens of primary and secondary schools. With the help of Maranatha International, ADRA, and funds from the 2010 worldwide 13th Sabbath offering, more churches and dozens of school have begun construction.
For more on the progress of the church in Haiti, visit www.interamerica.org
To view a photo gallery of the recent visit to Haiti, click here
