Multinational team trains leaders of emerging Haitian church.

A team from the Dominican Republic and the US joined to provide training for the emerging Church of the Brethren in Haiti, on Aug. 11-18 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Participants included 61 pastoral and lay leaders who had registered for the training.

Organizers characterized the large number of people who turned out for the event as a good surprise, and reported that even though the extensive daily classtime required major adjustments in their work schedules, 42 of the group completed the entire course.

The week-long immersion in Brethren ordinances and practices as well as training for church growth was led by Ludovic St. Fleur, pastor of Eglise des Freres Haitiens in Miami, Fla. St. Fleur coordinates the Church of the Brethren mission in Haiti for the Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board.

Teachers also included Yves Jean, pastor of Eglise des Freres en Haiti (Church of the Brethren in Haiti); Anastasia Buena and Isaias Tena, a clergy couple who co-pastor San Juan Church of the Brethren in the DR; and Merle Crouse of St. Cloud, Fla., a retired pastor and former staff member of the Church of the Brethren General Board, and a former mission worker. The sessions were translated into Haitian Creole.

"We were delighted that leaders from the Dominican Republic, who have desired to relate to the emerging church in Haiti, and from the US were able to join together for this time of learning and fellowship. Reports indicated that this combination of leadership was greatly appreciated by the participants," said Merv Keeney, executive director for Global Mission Partnerships.

--Janis Pyle is coordinator of mission connections for the Global Mission Partnerships of the General Board.

Source: 10/1/2007 Newsline Mission Update