Franco-Haitian Ministries Report

To the Esteemed Children of God,

The tapestry of faith weaves vibrant threads of culture and community within the Northeastern Conference. As the coordinator of Franco-Haitian Ministries, I am honored to share a reflective summary of our journey over these four transformative years (September 2021 – September 2025).  

A Mission Embraced

Our mission remains steadfast: to nurture and uplift the Franco-Haitian members across New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. We strive to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ, ensuring that the heartbeats of our community resonate deeply with His message. Our key functions encompass spiritual nourishment, educational opportunities, cultural integration, and outreach programs tailored to the distinct needs of our vibrant members.  

Milestones of Grace

In this sacred chapter, we celebrated significant accomplishments:  

• Community Growth: Our membership flourished by over 150% in participation across various ministries such as Reconnected, Franco-Haitian Midday Prayer Meeting (12:00 noon to 1:30pm from January 1, 2022 to the present moment0 entitled  “Vers Le Milieu De La Journee” via our zoom link  5437632820 – Passcode 12345, 14 regional conventions, 11 evangelistic crusades, 1 satellite crusade at Philadelphie French church conjointly with Berea SDA, 5 training sessions for Bible workers, three successive camp meetings that fostered fellowship and spiritual renewal within our community, and forging deeper connections within our congregations.  
• Cultural Events: We successfully hosted the inaugural Franco-Haitian Cultural Festival, bringing together families through music, art exhibits showcasing local artists ‘works, including paintings, sculptures and crafts that reflects cultural themes, and culinary delights, strengthening our community bonds.  The Franco-Haitian Cultural Festival is an event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Haitian
• community, highlighting art, literature and food stalls offering traditional cuisines, allowing attendees to taste and enjoy diverse dishes, workshops on cooking training, and the annual colorful parade of Temple Salem on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester Ma showcasing our Pathfinders uniforms and community pride, and children activities with games, crafts, and entertainments designed specifically for younger attendees. This event includes performances, workshops, and activities that promote cultural awareness and community engagement.
• Educational Initiatives: Launching our "Haitian Heritage Programs," we provided workshops focusing on language, history, and faith, with over 200 participants @ Temple 0ne in Valley Stream New York engaging in this enriching experience.  
• Youth Empowerment: Our youth ministry thrived as we initiated "Young Leaders for Christ," mentoring 50 young adults, equipping them with skills to lead and serve within the church and community.  

Statistical Highlights:

Membership Growth: Increased 15.88% of active members over four years.  

• Baptisms: 2,300 new believers accepted Christ through baptism, 300 transfers, 550 Profession of faith, reflecting our commitment to evangelism.
• Outreach Impact: Organized 6 companies from Massachusetts to New York (Patmos Mission in Brockton Ma, Sinai French (Norwich, Connecticut, Canaan Mission, Waterbury, Connecticut, Temple ONE, Valley Stream New York, Gabaon, Brooklyn New York, El- Guilgal, Brooklyn NY, and 25 community service events for migrants, serving more than 1,000 individuals and families in need across our territory.  

Challenges Encountered

Navigating through the challenges of cultural diversity, language barriers, and engagement during uncertain times tested our resolve. Yet, we adapted through bilingual resources, creating a supportive environment for both English and French-speaking members. By embracing technology, we enhanced virtual meetings, allowing participation despite physical distance, which saw an increase in engagement from members unable to attend in person.

Forward Vision

As we look ahead, we aspire to:  

• Expand Outreach: Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations to amplify our community service initiatives further.  
• Strengthen Leadership: Offer ongoing training and support for leaders within the Franco-Haitian community, fostering a legacy of mentorship.  
• Enhance Communication: Continue building bridges of understanding by providing more resources in French, ensuring no one is left behind in faith and fellowship.

I intend to be more actually involved in the events and celebrations of Pentecost 2025.

Through the grace of God, the collaborative spirit of our members and the support of our beloved conference, we have achieved resonant success during this term. Together, we have laid a richer foundation for the Franco-Haitian Ministries, fostering unity in diversity under the banner of Christ's love.

Thank you for your support and guidance as we continue this important mission. To God be the glory!