ADVANCE THE GOSPEL THIS CHRISTMAS
In the efforts to continue developing relationships and advancing the Gospel within the Haitian refugee community, a Christmas celebration is planned to give over 400 people a Christmas meal as well as gifts for children. Last year’s dinner was a great success and helped launch relationships, this year we are looking to do the same on an even larger scale. In attendance this year will be Haitian refugees, Haitian college students, as well as members of the Haitian Counsular, who represent the rights of Haitian refugees. This is a great opportunity for Gospel ministry to continue and we need your support to make this a reality. A donation of any amount would be great and of course your prayers are always coveted. If you would like to make a donation to this project feel free to donate now or mail your check to Grace to the Nations (P.O. Box 70, Canton, GA 30169). All donations raised before Christmas will go toward this project.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
The REDEEM HAITI project continues to move forward in 2011. The goal is for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to advance in Hispañola, the island of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It is a privilege to partner with a full-time, Gospel-soaked minister, Stanley Phillipe, in this work. Stanley leads the day to day, on the ground ministry efforts. There is a strategy in place for advancing the Gospel and, by God’s grace, doors continue to open.
SO WHAT’S UP?
The strategy is to plant a Haitian church(es) in the midst of the largest Haitian refugee area in Santiago, Dominican Republic. A key focus of the Haitian church plants is to train up Haitians in the Gospel and return them to their cities, towns, and villages all over Haiti, spreading the Gospel in a manner that we could never accomplish on our own.
Currently, four education institutions have been identified within the refugee area and Stanley is establishing relationships through outreach in these strategic areas. In fact one of the men Stanley has invested in has already moved into one of these areas, started a LifeGroup, and is beginning to develop the relationships critical for Gospel ministry. The work is young but it is moving forward with progress measured by the Gospel.
Stanley has committed himself full-time to this endeavor and has also transformed his home into a Discipleship Training School where he is teaching others the priority of the Gospel, of being shaped by the Word of God, and the privilege of exercising Gospel ministry and mission to their own people and communities.
The strategy is to develop sustainability over sentimentality. It is a great challenge in our context to raise support without sentimental manipulation, fear, or guilt. Our desire is to gain supporters who want to see the Gospel advanced in Hispañola first and foremost. We pray that the advance of the Gospel would be enough reason to give. Yes, children’s lives are being changed, we are meeting physical needs like food, clothing, shelter, and clean water, and while all of that is worthy and good, our first priority at REDEEM HAITI is to give people their greatest need, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then to disciple them in that Gospel, helping them fully identify with who they are as Christ followers which leads to lives of worship, stronger communities of faith, and mission to others.
Thank you to all who continue to give of your financial resources. I recognize the sacrifice and your commitment is such an encouragement. We need more of you. If you would like to support Grace to the Nations and REDEEM HAITI on a monthly basis, we would be greatly blessed. Please consider a $5, $10, $25, $50 or even $100 per month to support this Gospel driven ministry. We will commit to giving the people of Haiti the bread of life.
Grace be with you,
Spencer Nix
Pictures from last year’s Christmas project that feed almost 300 Haitians and provided toys to 100 children.
