Mission Spotlight: Haiti Outreach Ministries

For nearly 30 years, Haiti Outreach Ministries has been sharing the message of God’s goodness with the people of Haiti through evangelism, education, and medical care. Founding Director Leon Dorleans began preaching in Cite Soleil, one of the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince, in 1989 on a narrow street under tarps with raw sewage running in a ditch directly alongside. Despite the destitute conditions, Pastor Leon’s congregation grew as people responded to his preaching of the Word and his steadfast belief that God was with them in the face of extreme hardship. Pastor Leon’s vision was to address the spiritual, educational, and healthcare needs of the residents of Cite Soleil. While HOM was born in the mid-1980’s through an initial collaboration with Walker Gaulding and a Virginia-based Christian church, it has since grown to partnerships with a wide array of faith communities, foundations, and individuals.

HOM’s thriving ministry now operates on four campuses, serving with their Haitian partner, Mission Communautaire de l’Église Chrétienne des Cités (MICECC). MICECC staff lead and manage all programs, providing essential local expertise and deep cultural understanding to best address the needs of their Haitian brothers and sisters. MICECC is composed of a dedicated group of Haitian pastors, community leaders, and teachers, and together with HOM minister to four communities around Port-au-Prince – Cité Soleil, Terre Noire, Menelas and Baryè Fè. Together, with God’s grace, they strive to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the Haitian people.

Normally, in May, the FPC Mission teams are gearing up to organize June and July medical, dental, and vision clinic trips to Haiti and Bolivia. However, due the COVID-19 pandemic, these summer trips were canceled in 2020 and 2021. They will most likely be canceled in 2022. Our teams have truly missed helping our friends in person, but the FPC Mission committee has been directing trip funds to assist with work happening on the ground.

Through our partner Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM), the ROCKstars and many FPC members sponsor students at HOM supported churches in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Historically, FPC ROCKstars have sold fudge to raise money to support three scholarship students enrolled in primary school. In 2021, FPC member Sophie Raymond graciously made soap to sell to raise money for the ROCKstars Haiti Scholarships. In 2022, the ROCKstars have been making beautiful notecards to sell that can be used for Valentine’s, or year round. Stay tuned for more information.

Although improvements in overall Haitian living have been slow going, HOM has been blessed to be the hands and feet of Christ for many in the Port-au-Prince area. They are immensely grateful for the countless volunteers over the years who have not only gone to Haiti but those here who have prayed, donated their time and money, and volunteered in so many ways.

To learn more about Haiti Outreach Ministries, visit www.haitiom.org »

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