In Haiti, Adventist Youth Clean Up Police Stations and Honor Officers For Their Service

August 1, 2022 | Cap-Haitien, Haiti | Watland Francois and Inter-American Division News

Hundreds of young people in the northern part of Haiti recently visited 24 police stations to honor their service during the 27^th anniversary when the National Police of Haiti are celebrated with civil, social, and state activities. The more than 500 young people belonging to 30 youth societies swept and cleaned police stations on June 12, 2022.

It was the first time that so many Adventists young people had engaged in such a vast coordinated cleanup drive, said Pastor Gerald Jean, youth ministries director for the North Haiti Mission territory and main organizer of the event.  “By transforming police workspaces into clean, attractive places simply out of love, young people sent a powerful message about the difference the love of Christ can make in their lives,” he said.

Seven days later, on Jun. 18, over 50 uniformed police officers representing the stations were welcomed and honored throughout 11 Adventist Churches that had prepared a special Sabbath service program.  They were treated to a specific spiritual message based on Romans 13:1-6, gifted bibles and books by Adventist authors, and provided with lunch. “No police officer serving the territory of the North Haiti Mission was forgotten,” said Jean.

Pastor Jacques M. Amboise, president of the North Mission, said the Adventist Church is now perceived as the number one friend of the police institution in the region. “These two expressions of Christian love have successfully connected the Adventist Church with the community at a level that has never been attained before,” said Amboise.  “You just need to mention the word ‘Adventist’ to these policemen, and they pay attention to the rest of the conversation right away.”

Chiefs of police of the north and northeast thanked the Adventist Church and the Adventist youth for beautifying their stations inside and out. “We are profoundly grateful for this expression of appreciation from the Adventist Church,” stated Frantz Mathurin, chief of the North Police region.  “Our community would surely be a better place with more young people like these.”

The multi-city initiative brought church leaders to savor the enthusiastic participation of all of the young people. “This program and its outcome perfectly illustrated the power of evangelism through action,” said Jean. “We hope that these activities will not only make us more visible in the community but will also make it easier for us to evangelize through the Word.”

The message of these two activities is very clear, added Jean. “The love of Christ is the driving force to serve God, neighbors and the community selflessly. This love has knocked on the door of the hearts of Haitian police officers who are committed to protecting and servicing to maintain order and harmony.”