Changed Forever
Hey Harvest Family:We’re in the last week of our Risen for the Nations tour . . . and your prayers have meant so much to us. We are changed forever by what we have experienced and seen.
We’ve spent our final leg in Haiti, with a tremendously encouraging visit to our Harvest Bible Chapel in Jacmel, and their life-impacting ministries.
With an orphanage, children’s homes, a school with some 1600 beautiful students, a worshiping body of 1000, and hundreds of people who have come to know Christ through their church, God is doing an awesome work there.
This weekend, I’ll be giving an update to our church family in-person, and I can hardly wait. Thank you for praying so faithfully on our behalf.
Truly Christ is risen for the nations!
Pastor James
Taking God's Heart for Haiti
On January 12, 2010, when the 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, we saw organizations responding and God stirred Pastor James and others to ask “Who will help the church?” This question led to forming 'Churches Helping Churches', a ministry that would respond during a natural disaster to bring aid to the church and believers. This was the beginning of God placing Haiti in our hearts.After several years of helping pastors, leaders and churches rebuild, we saw many kinds of churches in Haiti while we served. We always left with that nagging feeling that something was missing; the same missing piece that brought 18 people together in 1988 to start Harvest in Chicago–balance. That balance of spirit and truth; John 4:24 in the church. Pillars. The convictions rooted in scripture that there were certain things God blessed. Discipleship. A commitment to a quality of discipleship; not a quantity of disciples–where believers where growing in their capacity to Worship, Walk with and Work for Christ.
We began asking the Lord to give us a pastor to bring Harvest Bible Chapel to Haiti. The Lord led us to Abraham Comper. Pastor Abraham grew up in a Baptist church and the Lord led him to begin an independent church in Jacmel. For 16 years, Abraham faithfully established a church built on Christ, God’s Word and God’s Glory, and pursued discipleship as the church’s mandate. When Abraham came across Harvest, he quickly admits that he found kindred brothers and sisters. Believing we could do more together than we could separate, Grace Church of Jacmel became Harvest Bible Chapel.
Pastor Abraham Comper |
You can be part of Vision Haiti. Pray – Give – Go! We are calling you to help us take the gospel to Haiti by helping establish, strengthen and multiply local Harvest churches in this island nation. God can use you when you take on what’s on His heart. Connect with Harvest Missions at info@harvestbiblefellowship.org to get connected.
Church service at Harvest Bible Chapel Jacmel |
Arriving in Haiti
The Mountains of Haiti
Seaside paintings for sale
Downtown Jacmel
Typical classroom at the Christian school in Jacmel
Colin, a cinematographer and editor on our trip, getting a smile in with one of the locals.
Women all around Haiti are pros at balancing baskets, bowls, and bags of all shapes and sizes. It's quite an impressive sight.
Pastor Kirk VanMaanen bringing a greeting from Chicago to a future Harvest Bible Chapel high up in the mountains of Haiti.
Preparations for the weekend service
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