We’ll make a few revisions, but Course 3 is a keeper! We offered this new course – Leading Jesus’ Church: Mission and Strategy –  in two cities in Haiti  in December with great response. Here’s how the course begins (taken from the workbook):

The New Testament book of Acts records the first 30 years of Jesus’ church. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Luke tells us how the church began and what Jesus’ first disciples focused on in that first generation of the church. They were very effective!

In 30 years’ time, the church had carried the good news about Jesus to the known world. They won thousands of people to Christ, discipled them, raised up leaders and planted churches. These new churches carried on this same mission. They accomplished all this despite problems, poverty and persecution!

How did they do it? What made the early church so effective? How can our churches make that kind of impact today? In this course, we will learn from Scripture the principles and practices of Jesus’ church so that each of our churches can be a New Testament church in our generation to the glory of God.

On day two of the course, we focus on the mission Jesus gave us in Matthew 28:18-20: Make disciples of all nations by going, baptizing and teaching them to obey. Using our Thompson Bibles, we define a “disciple” from Scripture and discover how the Lord intends us to “make” them. What does it mean practically to go, baptize and teach? At the end of day two in Ouanaminthe, church leaders clapped and cheered. That’s a first!

Whether we live in Haiti or Harbor Springs, the Lord’s mission – and His power and presence to live it out today  – should excite us.

This was a good trip. The Lord enabled us to train 264 church leaders in three courses. (Enjoy the pics below.) We have noticed that pastors are traveling from farther away to attend our courses. Invariably, they implore us to come to their cities to train church leaders there. We’re grateful to God for the favor and open doors He is giving us in Haiti! Please pray for His favor to continue to be upon us. We don’t take that for granted, and the spiritual opposition is real. Pray for the Lord to protect the hearts, words and actions of our team so that we can continue to honor our Savior and truly encourage every church leader before, during and after our training. They are the front-line leaders God has called us to encourage, equip and resource.

Next month (February) we will offer three courses in northwest Haiti. We’re working hard right now to prepare for that training – though I do plan to take a couple days of sabbath time next week.

We hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends as well as a good beginning to this new year of opportunity. Let’s depend upon the Lord’s strength to walk with our Savior and live out His mission every day. Above all, this is our purpose and joy in life!

Why am I in Haiti on Christmas Day? The short answer is, I’m here for the reason we celebrate this day: The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14). The longer answer is: Praying and working with our Haitian team, we identified four good times each year to train church leaders here. The last two weeks of December are one of those times. Carnival (Mardi Gras) week, Easter holidays and July are the other three times. As in the U.S., schools are closed here and most people take time away from work so these are good time for many church leaders to attend our PPI courses. Also, most Haitians don’t celebrate the holidays the way we do in the United States (more on that below) so they’re available – and eager! – to take part in our training.

We had a good first week of training in Cap Haitien. Thank you for praying for us! A total of 44 pastors studied and discussed the mission and strategy of Jesus’ church in Course 3, and 112 church leaders learned to use the Thompson Bible as a foundational tool for their ministries in Course 1. A group of six church leaders (pictured) came together from Hinche (pronounced like Ensh), the chief city of the Centre Department and a several hours’ ride to Cap Haitien over rough and sometimes dangerous roads. During our ceremony/recognition time yesterday, one pastor from the group stood up to thank us for coming. He said, “We heard about PPI training and came when another pastor invited us. Many pastors in Hinch need this training. We are praying that the Lord will bring you to Hinch soon.”

We’re now in Ouanaminthe, where we’ll lead Course 3 with 130 church leaders before I head back to the U.S. on Thursday to celebrate New Year’s with my family.

This Christmas morning, I’ll speak at Pastor Isaiah’s church on Poukisa Jezi te Vini (“Why Jesus Came”). Afterward we’ll enjoy Christmas lunch together. Haitians do Christmas differently. For starters, Haitian church leaders point out that Christmas has become more about greed than about God. Besides we’re not sure when Jesus was born, but probably not on December 25. Add to that the economic realities of Haiti and you understand why you won’t see Christmas trees, gifts, lavish decorations and big Christmas dinners in homes here.

Christians in Haiti have a simpler focus. They enjoy a simple dinner with their families, talk, possibly sing  and pray together. Then before the new year, they rearrange a room or buy something new for a room in their house. That’s probably closer to the way believers through history have celebrated the coming of our Savior. But I did see a neon Joyeaux Noelle (Merry Christmas!) sign in a store in Cap Haitien and also heard “Jingle Bells” (in Creole) on the radio.

All the best to you and your family today as you worship the Son of God and remember that He came to give us forgiveness, joy and purpose in our lives. Enjoy the pictures below.

Because God so loved the world,

Ken