REPORT FROM HAITI OVERSEER, BISHOP DORLEAN

What a wonderful joy it was today to have Bishop Dorlean visit the Global Outreach Committee as they met in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA. Brother Dorlean began our meeting sharing about the conditions and ministry in Haiti. The committee was so touched as Brother Dorlean, moved with emotion, stopped at one point overcome with tears and the burden of his people and nation. We knew that the friends of missions in the CoGoP would want to receive this report and share it with their friends and church family as well.

Haiti is experiencing one of the worst periods of turmoil that has been seen for many years. There are security forces in place all day and everywhere. One of our churches was burned in the violence. Our people have been affected by kidnapping as well. This is prevalent as a terror tactic and a fund raising effort by the rebel forces.

On the positive side, a month long crusade was held after the National Convention. God touched 408 souls with salvation in that time. In a survey they were surprised to find many couples not married though living together for some time. The church provided help for them with clothing as well as the ceremony and many were married as a result of the revival. The community took note, observing the compassionate aid and several unsaved family members have come to the Lord through this, seeing the church act as a true family.

A Voodoo priest was won to the Lord recently. He went home and destroyed his temple of worship to Satan. Since then he has joined the church giving his testimony of deliverance.

A little girl with scoliosis who lives at the orphanage had been supplied with a brace costing about $2000 US. The brace has become too small after a year and the doctor said she needs surgery. She had the surgery before the convention and has been helped greatly. This cost $10,000 US. The doctor was asking $7,000 and the national office was able to give him $4,000 down, hoping for help to come in God’s time and way. They have since paid another $1000 and continue to believe for all of this.

The surgery was a challenge. The burden of the cost brought a stop to several national construction projects. They are praying that God will provide for these constructions soon. Two constructions underway are in Jacmel. The walls have been erected and they are now in need of the roofing. One church in Port-A-Prince that was burned needs rebuilding and the very first church for the CoGoP in Port-A-Prince also needs rebuilding after a fire destroyed it a few years ago. There is great need of ministering in this area and few churches to accomplish the ministry. If this church can be restored it would help with the National Tabernacle Church which now has 4000 in attendance.

There is a building project in progress at the orphanage. The roof was leaking and has now been sealed. This has improved the conditions greatly. The orphanage consists of 70 children with 30 helpers working at various times. Several of the orphans have now finished high school.

The political situation there is so bad. It has brought denominations together in ways not seen before. It is apparent that good can come from evil. There is great fear to even go into the streets. The church is teaching the people that light overcomes the darkness. Gang violence and rebels have burned the market area where many church people sold their goods. The impact is that the people have little income and so tithing has decreased. Now many church families have been pressed to ask for assistance from the national office to survive. Haiti is in a very difficult season politically and economically.

As of the National Convention, there are 47,000 members with 300 local churches in our national ministry. Five new churches joined our fellowship in 2004 and after the Convention we planted two new churches, one in the north due to approximately fifty people who went to preach and evangelize in the area. Sixty people were saved in the outreach. A space was leased and a church was started. In the south they started a church that has 45 members, and had 72 in attendance last Sunday. They rented a school auditorium for this new beginning.

Haiti has about 100 local church schools in the national ministry. Education is so poor in the communities that the churches attempt to provide a better education than the community can provide. Many times the parents cannot pay and the church comes along to help pay the teachers and provide supplies. The churches train possibly 2000 children through these local church schools.

The situation is similar with the Bible school where the teachers pay is difficult to provide. Maintaining Bible School teachers is based more on friendship and Christian love than the ability to pay wages. We have only five instructors qualified to teach at the Bible School level, so we need help from other teachers in Church Bible Schools. The students from Bible School go and teach CBL in the churches of the country, so it is a blessing to the nation when this school thrives. In August they will have five CBL events in the nation.

Haiti has recently held a CBL graduation of 68 students. Twelve of the Bible School Students in Haiti graduated at the same time. The Bible School goes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. They do not have the resources to carry on a week long school. They also have an internship program for ministry leaders.

The recent hurricane in Haiti has destroyed the bridge for the main highway connecting to the south of the nation. This connects the capital with four districts so now they are isolated, contributing to the economic difficulties.

Brother Dorlean emphasizes his request, “Please pray even more for Haiti.” Voodoo is still an influence there and the gospel is being preached to counter this. Unemployment is very bad and insecurity stops people from doing the small things that could support their families. This has caused tithes to decline which impacts the church, as well as the growing numbers seeking for financial help. A member lost a child last week. The body had to stay at the morgue for 23 days because they had no money for the funeral. The church had to assist. This is just a simple illustration of the desperate time and needs. “Please pray for Haiti,” he repeats.

If you would like to contribute to this or any mission need our channels of Harvest Partners and Helping Hands stand ready to assist. This allows 100% of your donation to flow into the needs you specify. Individual donors may contribute through the Helping Hands Ministry and churches may contribute through the avenue of Harvest Partners Level Two giving.

Please make all checks payable to Church of God of Prophecy. Be sure to specify the designation of your offering on the check, i.e., Haiti Ministry. Send to:

Church of God of Prophecy
P.O. Box 2910
Cleveland, TN 37320-2910