Haiti

Haiti is truly a nation in need. Smaller than the state of Maryland it is home to an estimated nine to ten million people. Precise facts are non-existent but the following educated estimate gives clues to the physical sufferings and spiritual darkness that abounds;

An eighty percent unemployment rate results in an average income of less than four hundred dollars (US equivalent) per year. Between sixty and seventy percent of the people cannot read or write. There is only one medical doctor for each ten thousand people. Electricity is not available for the majority of the people and many areas in and around the capital city only have electricity three hours a day. Usually there is only one well for each community. Voodoo saturates the people and the power of Satan is visibly demonstrated. Orphans roam the streets.

There are ministries meeting the needs of many. One that is uniquely effective is the Evangelical Haitian Baptist Churches, Inc. directed by Rev. Jean Marc Desire' and his wife, Dr. Junie Desire'. Their ministries: Church Planting; Evangelistic Campaigns; Training of pastors and Christian workers; Curriculum for churches; Christian schools, including one vocational school; Emmanuel Medical Clinia; a pharmacy; rescue mission and radio ministry.

The vision is to raise each of these ministries to their highest level of effectiveness and add a ministry to care for the countless orphans.

The American board under which they serve is Baptist Evangelistic Missionary Association of 4744 Winchester Pike; Columbus, Ohio 43232; Phone 614 833 0488/

You may contact Rev. Jean Marc Desire at P.O. Box 2468, Port Au Prince, Haiti, W.I. Phone 011 509 257 0524; e-mail to jmarcdesire@hotmail.com.

Greatest Needs: Salaries for pastors and teachers; sponsors for children to attend school; income to pay additional doctors and medical equipment and supplies.

Years ago I received a call from a Haitian pastor seeking help with his ministry for God in his native land. Most pastors, churches, and mission boards would support only American missionaries in foreign lands. As a native of Haiti, pastor Louis Desire' could not find anyone to help. Something sincere about his plea caused me to check further. From every source I heard good reports of his salvation experience, his integrity, and his mission. God laid it on my heart to help him.

Pastor Louis Desire', the son of a Voodoo witch doctor, was led to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at about 12 years of age. God called him to preach and with meager resources he attended a Bible institute and earned a three-year diploma. This is remarkable in Haiti, considered the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. An area smaller than the state of Maryland is home to an estimated 9 to 10 million people. An 80% unemployment rate results in an average yearly income of less than $400 (U.S. equivalent). Medical care is too expensive for the vast majority and non-existent to many. There is an estimated 6o to 70 per cent illiteracy rate. The government provides a public well for each community and the water is carried to the homes. (During our visit Pastor Jean Marc had access to electricity only 3 hours per day.)


		In 1967 Brother Louis founded the Evangelistic Haitian Baptist Church of Bourg-Champagne in Petion-Ville near Port Au Prince. He went on to start the Evangelistic Haitian Baptist Church of Pernier the Delmas Christian Assembly, the Church of Marlique, and several other churches in the country. He began Christian schools in these churches and also began training young men for the ministry. In 1982, several preacher friends joined me in a visit to Brother Louis Desire'. I preached in the Evangelistic Haitian Baptist Church of Bourg-Champagne and visited the schools and even some of the country churches.

Pastor Desire' died at 54 years of age. He sensed his approaching death and asked me to assist his son, Jean Marc, to receive quality Bible training in the United States. The church I pastored joyfully approved underwriting his education at Word of Live Bible Institute in New Your. He received 48 semester hours of Bible training under some of the finest Bible teachers in America. During this time he also traveled with The Collegians, and had his vision greatly expanded as they sang in some of America's greatest churches. Jean Marc continued his studies with the Liberty Baptist Home Bible Studies program and he also earned a bachelor's degree from Bethany Bible College and Seminary Dothan, Alabama. In addition he earned a diploma as a broadcast engineer.

Pastor Jean Marc Desire' spent approximately 3 years in training and deputation work. He was ordained at Baptist Bible Church of Elkton, Maryland. While in the states his father passed away. Jean Marc was not able to attend his funeral. In 1989 he returned to Haiti and took over the ministry at the first church. It was rebuilt in 1994 to seat 250 people, but it was still necessary to conduct two Sunday morning services. At the same time in 1994 another church was started renting a small home in a community of 8,000 people in nearby Petion-Ville. Starting with 12 people, it has grown to over 600 members and ministers every Sunday to over 1000 people. In 1996 he replanted the church at Delmas, rebuilt the auditorium and it now ministers to over 600 people every Sunday.

Along with the Christian schools associated with the churches Jean Marc and his wife, Junie (a medical doctor) began the Emmanuel Medical Center to meet the needs of those without medical care. God is using this tool to reach the Haitian people.

"We have a growing ministry in the Northside of Haiti in a community called Gobert a suburb of Plaisance. The church is called Baptist Christian Assembly of Gobert and ministers to over 600 people in the community with a membership of 250 and a Christian school of 100 kids . All this took place during the 13 years I have been on the field . That church in the Northside of Haiti has planted two satellite churches that are growing in the same area." (May 1, 2002)

Contact Jean Marc Desire at: mdesire@compa.net

Truth Helpers, Inc., 315 River Road, Elkton MD 21921-7936
Phone 410 398 4218; Fax 410 392 3739; Email: tjberry@mail.com