YEAR-END REPORT AND THANK YOU
When we’re in Haiti, someone on our ministry team usually preaches for the church that hosts our training. This is one way we thank and honor our host pastors. In Ouanaminthe, where most of our Haitian ministry team live, we do our best to speak in each of our team members’ churches as well. These times of worship and fellowship with Haitian believers challenge our thinking and move our hearts.
In December, Tony de Bari, PPI Board member, had the opportunity to speak in Pastor Ulrick’s church while I preached at our host church. (Ulrick is a PPI ministry team member.) Here are some of Tony’s thoughts on his time in a typical Haitian church:
For me, this was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had in church. . . . [T]his church had none of the splendor and majesty of those cathedrals [I have visited], it was just sticks and tin. However, it had people who worshiped God as He should be worshiped—with songs of praise and thanks. God obviously doesn’t care what the church looks like—this one is just sticks and tin, but He does care about the people in them. He desires praise and glory, and He certainly got it today.
These people, some of whom have no idea where their next meal will come from, or even if they will get shot by some of the gangs in Haiti, devote an entire Sunday morning to praise and worship of the God who provides. They understand that all they have comes from Him. . . .
Our goal and our joy are to encourage, train and resource church leaders like Ulrick all across Haiti and beyond. Godly, well-trained pastors feed, lead and love their congregations on the foundation of Scripture led by the Holy Spirit. Growing, spiritually healthy congregations impact their neighborhoods with practical help and powerful hope in Christ. This is what we’re seeing in Haiti as pastors deepen their understanding of God’s Word, Christ-like character and wise church leadership. This is the lasting fruit of your faithful prayers and financial support!
In 2023, the Lord enabled us to train 752 church leaders in 7 training courses in 5 cities in Haiti. That’s an investment of 120 hours of foundational ministry training for pastors! Through our courses, we awarded 584 Thompson Bibles and distributed 1210 Creole Bibles for their churches. Thanks be to God!
IN 2024
In 2024, we plan to offer 11 PPI courses in 8 key cities in 4 Departments of Haiti. That will enable us to train over 1200 church leaders! We also want to introduce PPI training to pastors in one additional country this year. Accomplishing all that in 2024 will take $169,000. That’s $30,000 more than PPI’s total income in 2023. Will you help us?
“We walk by faith not by sight” as we pursue these plans (2 Cor 5:7). Thank you for walking with us in training pastors and strengthening churches – and whole communities! – in Haiti. Know that you are a vital Kingdom worker with us on the supplies line of prayer and giving. May the Lord provide for you and fill you with His joy as you invest your life every day of 2024 in what matters for eternity!
Happy New Year and thank you,
Ken for all of us
I commend you for all the work you and the volunteers on this mission do. You accomplish not just for now, but for future generations of these towns. Blessings!
Thank you to Tony for preaching in that church. It is good for us to see that God does not care what our church looks like or how we dress. He just wants our worship. Thanks!
The Church isn’t a building, the Church is the people who gather to worship God. Didn’t Jesus say, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there an I in the midst of of them.”.