Churches helping churches in Haiti

My friend Mark Oestreicher is joining us for the second time. “Once we move past the immediate phase of delivering food and water and helping with medical needs, the long and hard work of rebuilding begins. For that, this direct church-to-church approach has so much promise.”

When we were in Haiti on our first trip, it was clear to us that the only infrastructure in the entire country, other than non-Haitian NGOs and non-Haitian governmental groups, is the Haitian church. In order to be involved in community development and rebuilding that doesn’t build dependency and isn’t colonial in nature, we’re working through the Haitian church to reach and help their communities.

Our staff in Haiti expects to see gifted leaders rise from the church in Haiti. We sense that God is equipping them to model lives abandoned to obedience.

We are seeking 200 congregations to partner in Haiti. Journey Community Church in La Mesa, Calif., is an example. Teaching pastor Ed Noble will travel with the team to Haiti in late May. The team will focus on meeting and listening to Haitian pastors, learning the vision for their communities and considering how partnering churches can support the work they are doing.

“I love meeting other pastors,” said Noble. “I’ve often been humbled by meeting colleagues who sacrifice so much more than I’ve had to. I also feel like the Haitian pastors have something for me, an experience of God born in suffering that I hope to receive.”

Oestreicher noted, “The partnership will be significant for people from both sides: Haitians will receive encouragement, prayer and tangible help, while people from U.S. churches will be challenged in their faith by involvement with wonderfully hope-filled Haitian believers.”

Our team is seeking to raise an additional $35,000 to fund salaries for the front-line Haitian leaders who are guiding the Church-to-Church Program. Please help us by getting your church to partner with us or by giving. Go here to learn more and give.