Getting Ready for a Short-Term Mission Trip

Posted on June 27, 2016 by - Haiti, Short-term Trips

Getting ready for a short-term mission trip can be so exciting. There are so many things to get ready for. You need to get your support letters written and mailed. You have to get your supplies for the trip no matter what venture it is. You have to pack your bags. You have to prepare for your trip whether it be a Vacation Bible School, construction, medical or any other type of trip. At least these are the things that I do before a trip.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to go on so many trips and each time I get so excited for this process. One thing I can easily overlook and that is arguably the most important part is preparing my heart. I can often get so excited about the less important things I forget to pray over my trip. I forget to ask God to give me the right mindset and heart for all I am about to face. I forget to pray for each life that we will come in contact with. I forget to pray that God will bond the team so we can bring all the glory to Him.

I think getting the right support financially, getting your bags packs and finishing up your VBS lessons and other plans and preparations are all good things. These are all things that God wants us to prepare, but I think there is more God wants from us. As we prepare for each mission trip we should be fully seeking God’s guidance and wisdom. In fact this should be how we live our lives day to day, seeking God first and allowing him to guide the steps as you go on your way.

Sarah Yoder – CWO Trip Participant

Haiti Pastors Reflect on Their Ministry

Posted on April 1, 2016 by - Haiti

At the 2016 Leadership Development training in Haiti more than 140 pastors and leaders participated in Bible study and learned new ways to grow their ministries. They welcome the opportunity to share and encourage one another. Get to know two of the pastors that oversee the eight CWO churches in Haiti: Pastor Icher from the church in Ouanaminthe and Pastor Elino leads the church in La Victoire.

From Pastor Icher:

Why did you decide to become a pastor?

I decided to go to seminary because I felt God’s call upon my life. I also wanted to know more about God’s Word so that I might teach those who do not yet know God and lead them to Christ.

How long have you been a pastor at your church?

I have been in the pastorate in the church at least for the past 13 years.

How do you and your church reach out into the community to tell others about Jesus?

The church and I do several activities to lead others in the community to Christ:

  • We visit the people in the community.
  • We do door to door evangelism.
  • We plan conferences for the Christian and the non-Christian youth.
  • We encourage people to attend church services when we meet for Bible study, prayer meetings and worship services.

What is the biggest joy and the biggest challenge in being a pastor in Haiti?

Our greatest joy is the fact that the church is growing both spiritually and in number every day in spite of the problems we face in the ministry.

The greatest problem a pastor in Haiti is facing is an economic issue because the churches do not have the capacity to support their pastors and their families. Because of that, the ministry becomes even more difficult when they want to reach a goal for the church.

What would you like others to know about your church and the people who attend and serve at your church?

Here is what I want others to know about the church, about those who attend and are serving in it:

  • The church needs a lot of prayers.
  • The church needs more spiritual and material blessings.
  • The church needs more love for one another.
  • The church needs to establish more relationships with other brothers and sisters around the world so that we can pray one for another.

From Pastor Elino:

Why did you decide to become a pastor?

I decided to become a pastor because I felt the call of the Lord upon my life. I always had the desire to study God’s word so that I could become a trained pastor. In my area there is a great lack of trained pastors. I also wanted to be well equipped to evangelize those who do not know Christ.

How long have you been a pastor at your church?

I have been in the pastorate for the last 9 years.

How do you and your church reach out into the community to tell others about Jesus?

We hold evangelistic activities in the area every semester.

What is the biggest joy and the biggest challenge in being a pastor in Haiti?

My biggest joy is to see that the church is growing in number and in their walk with the Lord.

The biggest challenge in being a pastor in Haiti is the great challenge of meeting the needs of my family without neglecting the ministry.

What would you like others to know about your church and the people who attend and serve at your church?

I want everyone to know how the Lord has blessed the church over the past 9 years. More than over 50 new members have been added to the church over the past 9 years. Some families are divided; many souls have come to Christ. In Haiti, particularly in the rural areas, the churches can in no way provide for the needs of their pastors.