Churches Helping Churches

In this video, Pastor Mike talks about how he responded to that question, and how the Holy Spirit intercedes in the deep suffering we don’t even know how to identify.

In this clip, Pastor Mike Wilkerson of Mars Hill Church in Seattle talks about how the team prepared to minister and teach Haitian pastors, despite very real language and life experience barriers. Haitian men, especially pastors, are expected to be strong and are not often allowed to be vulnerable; this retreat was one of the first times these men were able to let themselves be ministered to, as Pastor Mike saw.

Pastor Mike, who oversees the Biblical Living department at Mars Hill’s Ballard campus, was one of four biblical counseling experts CHC brought down for the first Churches Helping Pastors retreat in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in May 2010. The goal of the retreat was to support and renew the pastors as they personally recover from the earthquake, and also to build them up as they go back into their communities and support the people in their churches.

In this video, Daniel Ulysse, a Haitian chaplain from Brooklyn, talks about the relationship between the Haitian government and Christian churches, and the importance of Paul’s words to the Haitian Church today.

For more, watch Chaplain Daniel interview the small group of pastors he led at our Churches Helping Pastors retreat in May in Port-au-Prince about their churches, how the earthquake affected them and their communities, and their vision and prayers for the future.

In this video, Daniel Ulysse, a Haitian chaplain from Brooklyn, interviews a group of pastors who attended our Churches Helping Pastors retreat in May in Port-au-Prince about their churches, how the earthquake affected them and their communities, and their vision and prayers for the future.

Stay tuned over coming weeks for more videos from Haiti from pastors from this conference and others we’ve held or sponsored in other cities around the country.

More thanks from Haitian pastors who attended the Churches Helping Pastors retreat in May in Port-au-Prince, as translated by Frantz Morisset, a pastor from the Haitian diaspora, and one of the retreat’s organizers.

“The conference helped me to understand better those who need my help in difficult times.” Jacmel Marigo

“This conference should continue through the country. It offers a great opportunity to spread the gospel and help pastors who find it difficult to answer to the needs of the times.” Petit Goave

“I am definitely better equipped to face actual problems. Thanks for the American brothers who came in these difficult times. Thanks.” Croix des Bouquets

“Thanks for your care… The methods used to make sure we learned ‘faith, hope, and love’ applied in the social context is quite appropriate. Being young, I hope to see this more often.” Foret des Pins

“I have learned much to help me with my trauma.” Anse-Rouge

“Thanks for this training ministry. Meeting with other leaders was excellent.” Saint Marc

“This retreat was so important. Wish we had more pastors.” St. Jean du Sud

“… I see I need to develop a great capacity to listen to others, with much attention… Thanks CHC and best wishes in the LORD.” Port Salut

“This conference should be for schools, churches, government officials. I have discovered my weaknesses and mistakes as a shepherd. I hope to receive more reading dealing with different catastrophes.” Bainet

“It was a good time of reflection. I have learned new ways to handle problems efficiently and how to listen to those suffering. My faith has been strengthened.” Bassin General

“I have been suffering a lot–headaches, unjustified fatigue, stress. At last this week I am really strong. The Spirit of the LORD is with me. Please do more of this kind of retreat.” Port-au-Prince

“I have been much impressed by the practical aspects of faith, hope and love. Thanks for all.” Petit Goave

“I received more than I expected. The subjects are quite appropriate: new vision, new approach to ministry. Repeat this retreat in other departments.” Jacmel

“Highly needed… wish we had more time.” La Palmiste

“Can’t wait to share with my friends. I became a de facto counselor on trauma for my church, now I am better equipped… need to have more for young people…” Cayes-Jacmel

“Thanks, thanks for your efforts. Please follow up. I understand the word of God better and how to use it in time of need.” Desjardines

“This conference was a compass for me. My ministry should improve.” Azile

“This conference [unpacks] things I knew little about. I see changes I need in my life, my behavior.” Cap-Haïtien

“May the Almighty bless you. He was the One leading you to this fruitful and blessed training ministry.” Saint-Marc

“Great retreat. Cannot go but forward. Thanks CHC, Thanks STEP and others who helped.” Anse Rouge

“Very touched. I will be more efficient in my new ministry. I will surely apply soon so many things taught.” Port-au-Prince

“It is comforting spiritually and mentally to understand disasters better from a biblical perspective. Wish to have more support for the sessions. Congratulations. Keep being strong in the LORD.” Carrefour

“I did not know before how to handle extreme crisis situation well. Now I am better-equipped to help not only my church but my community and my country in similar situation.” Jacmel

“Thanks. This seminar was good for young leaders like me.” Code de Fer

“This seminar changes my opinion. I understand better the role of leadership in distressful situations.” Port-au-Prince

“You were simply sent but God.” Petite Riviere de Nippes

“Very relevant, timely. Thank you CHC, STEP and others. I did not understand what had happened in Port-au-Prince, being from the South. I learned much about ministry in critical times of natural disasters. Thanks to the American team.” Camp Perrin

“This seminar was a motivation for me to be opened, keeping no secret to churches. It has challenged me to be a true pastor, to be honest about own struggles, pain and grief.” Liancourt

“Great. Do your best to get more pastors next time.” Les Cayes

“A real big gift. Great to add to what I already knew. The first day was hard on me. I am glad I stayed. A week of great spiritual blessing and great fellowship. Wonderful.” Arcahaie

“Hope to receive the materials not cleared by customs… Great to understand better natural phenomenon and God’s role…” Les Cayes

“I am becoming a new person. Great teaching, great teaching on counseling.” Baie-de-Henne

For more words of gratitude from the pastors and photos of the retreat, see this post. Thank you all for your support of CHC’s mission to rebuild the Church in Haiti. Know that the work continues there as we begin to replicate this retreat and the teaching sessions in other parts of the country, and we’d ask that you prayerfully consider continued support and prayer.

The following is a letter from Frantz Morisset, one of the retreat’s organizers. Frantz is a Haitian pastor and scholar who lives in the states.

Grace to all of you.  It was one month ago when we were on our way back to the US after spending the week in Haiti.  I am taking advantage of this occasion to say thank you for your marvelous work in my native country Haiti.  Thank you, in the names of the Haitian pastors in the Diaspora and of those who participated in the May pastors retreat. Rather than using my words, let me share with you a few of the hundreds of written comments from Haitian pastors at the retreat.

The Pastors in Their Own Words

“This conference has comforted me… It challenged me to help my community and my country… I am now committed to comfort not only members of my own church but to go beyond… Thank you LORD, you have sent me what I truly needed.” (Les Cayes)

“I was satisfied with my work and concern for church members before the conference … Now I see the need to love, to love more for a truly biblical ministry… I will assist the members of my church in a better way and be available to answer their questions” (Bois Pin, La Gonave)

“Thank you. The subjects have stimulated me to want more seminars. Thanks to the TEAM. May God continue to bless CHC.” (Delmas)

“The conference is changing my life and will change the way I used to lead the church. I am better equipped to administer it, to develop it spiritually, socially and economically… (Cote de Fer)

“Thanks to the conference, I have new friends and contacts… new direction”. (La Gonave)

“Thanks. I have learned to listen to others… I see the importance of counseling… my duty to help other leaders in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ… Please, make plan to invite more people next year…” (126 Gros-Morne, Gonaives)

“Thank you CHC and STEP for the beautiful initiative. It was a week of training and encouragement and meeting other evangelical leaders” (Arcahaie)

“I have been comforted and will go back to share it… I see the need to be transparent to all, in all good conscience.” (Port-au-Prince)

“Thanks. I knew I was a servant of God… I learned that I need to develop it further for the harvest of Christ.” (Port-au-Prince)

“I have new vision, new attitude…I see the need for character change… Congratulations for such an important conference… I hope to see another one.” (Cerca-la-Source)

“Thanks for your efforts and your sacrifice to help us spiritually so to bear fruit, much fruit in the growth of the gospel in Haiti and be useful to others… May God bless CHC, the teachers.” (Charlotin)

“Thanks for this initiative… I have learned much to help my pastoral ministry… I need radical changes in my life… For sure, I am better equipped to help people in my community and especially those in the tent cities.” (Port-au-Prince)

“I did not want to come to Port-au-Prince… But I am glad I did, especially to witness the attention that our brothers from overseas showed toward us Haitians… The small groups were so edifying, so profitable… an ambiance of good brotherhood (fellowship).” (Les Cayes)

“I can summarize that it is the work of the Holy Spirit.” (Petion-Ville)

“Thanks! Thanks! Thanks CHC! I was so discouraged looking at my future and that of my family. Now, I have a better understanding of God and natural disasters. It is good to see there are people who love me… I need help for my family, they are suffering and I cannot help much. I was alone but now I see there are people who think of me… Thanks.” (Carrefour)

“If you can afford it, please have another conference in 3 months.” (Kenscoff)

“My understanding of the word of God has been reinforced… I have more enthusiasm for my pastoral ministry in my community… May God bless CHC and preserve/protect you from now and ever.” (Port-de-Paix)

“This conference challenges me to have more love, more tolerance, and more compassion for others. As I reflect on the love of the teachers for us, Haitians, it challenges me to do the same… Thanks.” (Aquin)

“I have a new vision for love, hope, and am more committed to plant new churches and get involved with my team in tent city ministries and assistance to victims.” (Cayes)

“I am better prepared to work with difficult people… Have this conference next year in the South and Grand’ Anse.” (Maniche)

“I have learned that I must be engaged in the tent city ministry… (Cayes)

“Good to learn about group counseling vs individual counseling… secular vs biblical counseling… Want to learn more. Plan to have more of this type of conference.” (Petit Goave)

“I appreciate the way the American brothers in Christ cared for us… (Ville des Coteaux)

“I always like new ideas… better understanding of the word of God… Thank you God. Thank you CHC.” (Port-au-Prince)

To be continued …

“Mesi” is Creole for “thank you,” a derivative of “merci” in French.

There were logistical challenges to the retreat. They turned out just to be another awesome time to be reminded of how big our God is. Here, Tom talks about this from the retreat in Port-au-Prince.

There was a very humble and generous group of staff who served all the attendees at the retreat.

Haitian men are not known for being vulnerable. One of the big prayers for the week was that the small group time–something many of the pastors had never experienced–would be fruitful, and pastors would be able to open up, share, and grow.

It turned out to be one of the most successful parts of the whole week. After taking the big group shot at the end of the week, one small group asked if they could have their picture taken. Suddenly, all the other groups started lining up, each one eager to make sure they got a picture together.

Pastor Robert Cheong, of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky, was one of four counseling experts from the U.S. who taught at our pastors retreat last month. The following are excerpts from his travel journal entries, published in full over on Sojourn’s blog.

At the end of April 2010, I received an invitation to be a part of a team to lead a pastors retreat in Port-au-Prince, Haiti sponsored by CHC. We had one month to plan and pull together all of the details! The goal of the retreat was two-fold: first, to renew, encourage, and strengthen Haitian pastors with the gospel, and second, to equip them to care for and counsel their people with the gospel once they returned to their towns.

Day 1: Reality in Haiti
Sunday, May 23

I stepped into Sea-Tac airport in Seattle, already tired and fatigued after teaching a Doctoral level class in Marriage and Family Counseling at Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma, WA for three days straight for a total of 24 hours.  God had blessed my time there as the students gained a better grasp of the gospel for their own lives, family, and ministry. I prayed that the Haitian pastors would experience this same transformation but I knew that we would have extra challenges with teaching through translators.

Day 2: God’s Faithfulness
Monday, May 24

God was working powerfully as we saw Him breaking down the stoic culture of Haitian men through two specific ways. First, the Haitian pastors who agreed to lead the 25 small group arranged by regional clusters agreed to lead their groups with honesty and openness regarding their struggles since the earthquake. Second, when Paul Randolph was listing the symptoms of post-traumatic Stress in the first session, the pastors were openly acknowledging their struggles through a show of hands.  Pastor Luke shared about his suffering as he lost both a son and daughter on the same day through the collapse of two separate educational buildings.  His son was the only student who was killed at STEP seminary and his daughter was killed as she attended classes in a downtown building.  God used Pastor Luke’s testimony to personalize the grief and pain in my heart and mind-suffering in Haiti was no longer a concept, but real grief was now connected to a real person, up close and personal.

Day 3: A Birthday and a Spiritual Battle
Tuesday, May 25

During a Q&A time that followed the teaching sessions, a pastor shared that he had taught the 1 John 4 passage many times, but he never saw the connection that his failure to love made him a hypocrite.  He went on to share that the Lord convicted him deeply about being a hypocrite-he was referring to the point I made that growing in God’s love drives out hypocrisy (cf. v. 20), “If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” He shared very openly and honestly that he was bitter against a friend who distributed relief aid to surrounding churches, except to him and his church.  I praised God not only for the Spirit’s conviction but also for compelling the pastor to share transparently before his fellow pastors.

Day 4: Teaching & Longing for Home
Wednesday, May 26

The rest of the day was highlighted by an energetic Q&A session where the pastors asked thoughtful questions about Christian counseling versus secular counseling, how to minister to children in their grief, how to equip members for gospel ministry given they are the only paid staff, note-taking during counseling, how to teach church members about love in tangible ways, and how to minister to those dealing with anger, confusion, and fear-especially fear of going back into homes or other buildings with concrete roofs. Whew!  The pastors seemed to get a lot from these Q&A sessions.

Lunch was a choice between whole fried fish, heads and all, or goat, along with rice and beans and a delicious grapefruit casserole.  I chucked because I remembered seeing Wah-Wah off load several ‘hog-tied’ goats from the back of his pick-up truck earlier in the morning.

Day 5: The God of All Comfort & Tent Cities
Thursday, May 27

I woke up around 3:45am by a loudspeaker that amplified the drone of a Haitian man whose message was delivered in a militant-like cadence.  It was hard to go back to sleep because I thought I heard the jeer of a crowd, which caused my mind to imagine a rebellious uprising taking place right outside the seminary walls.  The loudspeaker finally died down after about 30 minutes and I fell back to sleep. I woke up around 5:45am by the ritual rising of the tropical sun, the raspy crows of roosters and the charcoal smell of the open-fire kitchens. Immediately after waking up, the Lord reminded me of my craving for comfort, but more importantly, He reminded me of who He is. Forgive me Lord for seeking comfort apart from You, the God of all comfort (cf. 2 Cor. 1:3-5).

… We were all tired but extremely thankful for the privilege to minister to our Haitian brothers. We praised God for His faithfulness and for enabling the gospel to do its transforming work in our hearts and in the lives of the Haitian pastors.  We were amazed how God lavished his grace and wisdom upon us as he allowed us to get a glimpse of His vision, to witness the conference become a reality and to take part in a God-sized event that will have a lasting impact on the pastors and people of Haiti!

Day 6: Leaving Haiti & the Trip Home
Friday, May 28

The flight from Haiti to Miami was a blessing as I sat between an Army soldier stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti and a non-profit business owner who has devoted her life helping the Haitian people find jobs.  The conversation was filled with talk about God, His gracious and saving work accomplished through His Son Jesus Christ, and the need to share the gospel.  I also marveled at God’s creation as we flew over several Caribbean islands embedded in a sea of deep blue and emerald green waters.  I always flash back to my days in the Navy when I experienced the beauty of the vast ocean, whether on an old destroyer, cruiser, or a super aircraft carrier.  God has blessed me with diverse life experiences that He has used to grow and change me. Praise Him!

… I praise God for the unique opportunity to minister with a team of pastors from across the country to pastors who lived in totally different country. Despite the ethnic and culturally differences, we are all one family, who share the same faith, hope, and love in Christ! We all recognized that God enabled us to participate in something that was above and beyond what we could ever ask or think (cf. Eph. 3:20).

Pastor Robert serves in the Care & Counseling ministry at Sojourn. Dr. Cheong, holds a PhD in counseling and MDiv from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and served in the U.S. Navy and trained in nuclear power matters before becoming a pastor.