DISCIPLES
Overview
The DISCIPLES program fosters faith and action in the light of the gospel by supporting Christian education in Haiti for churches, schools, and seminaries. We do this to encourage (1) people’s spiritual growth, (2) better approaches to education and leadership, and (3) community development. Specifically:
- 10,000 people receive Bibles and lectio divina study guides in their native language of Creole through our partnership with the Canadian Bible Society.
- Dozens of Haitian churches receive training in our 4 Creole booklets on Christian education.
- Organizers and trainers in our network are actively promoting and teaching a new book on the Scriptural basis for children’s rights.
- 15 new Haitian seminary students are being added each year to the ranks of the Micah Scholars…
Micah Scholars
Purpose
To support and shape the education, training, and internships of Haitian pastors in Haitian seminaries toward long-term transformation of their church and society.
Meet Them!
Click here to meet (with pictures and brief bios) this year’s 15 scholars.
Philosophy
To serve the development of pastors who are (a) committed to the whole gospel, (b) good students, (c) committed to justice, particularly of vulnerable children, and (d) who grow as leaders who “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with [their] God” (Micah 6:8).
Strategy
Provide 15 pastors and church leaders scholarships for a 4-year degree in a Haitian seminary, with additional strategic training and mentoring along the way. (At full strength the program will have 60 pastors enrolled.) These Micah Scholars will:
- Receive a full scholarship.
- Work on the restavek (child servitude) issue in their internships, which also includes training in wider community development issues.
- Help with the distribution of 10,000 Bibles each year that Haiti Partners receives in partnership with the Canadian Bible Society.
- Learn and then teach the five educational booklets that Haiti Partners has developed in Creole, which include Bible studies for children and adults, prayer, theological discussion, and children’s rights.
- Participate in three retreats each year that will include outside experts, and be mentored along the way for their own discipleship and development as servant leaders.
- Students come from three different seminaries in Port-au-Prince, which will encourage cross-denominational collaboration and mutual learning.
The Need
Most Haitian pastors and church leaders haven’t finished high school and don’t have the resources to attend seminary to study Scripture and theology. Many pastors also aren’t taught how to help their church and community to more effectively minister to marginalized people in their communities. The gospel implications for the church, culture, and community aren’t lived out as fully as they should be. (This can also be said, certainly, of the church in the U.S., but the situation in Haiti is so acute because 80% of people live on less than $2 a day.) The Haitian church needs more training for its leaders—including attention about restavek children, a system of domestic servitude that holds over 200,000 children in forced labor. Parents too poor to provide for their children sometimes send some of them away to benefactors who promise food, housing, and education. But too often these children become domestic servants, mistreated and abused. The Haitian church must be a stronger agent of hope and justice for these children. These Micah Scholars will develop as well-rounded leaders, with special attention for these children.
Partnership
For only $400/month (or $4,800 a year) you our your church can provide:
- A full scholarship for a pastor/church leader to attend a Haitian seminary for one year (in a 4-year degree program). This includes books, fees, and a small monthly living stipend.
- Additional training for these pastors in community development and education. This includes their internship, four retreats a year, and mentorship during the school year.
- Support for prophetic leadership that will speak and act out against systematic injustice towards children in the church and society. Their impact will be felt while they do their internships, and continue to grow for decades to come.
Commitment
The scholars are committed to the highest standards in their scholarship and training, and then to remaining in Haiti as Micah-style leaders committed to service in the gospel. It’s our privilege and commitment to support their development and to pray for them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Opportunity
Together, we can make a difference with an immediate impact—that is also an investment for the transformative power of the gospel in Haiti for decades to come. We need your help to invest in these important, talented leaders.
In the coming year—with your support—we will continue these efforts as we also launch the Micah Scholars initiative. We welcome your prayers as we continue to work to support Haitian Christians in their service of the light-giving, transformational power of the gospel in their spiritual and physical lives.
Partners
We’re grateful to the Equitas Group for making the Micah Scholars Initiative possible. We’re thankful for the Canadian Bible Society’s partnership in this program. We’re also thankful to the many churches and individuals who have supported these endeavors over the last 8 years.
If you want to help Haitians change Haiti through education through this program, we’d love to talk with you!
