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With a sense of purpose, more than five hundred Haitian Nazarenes from the US and Canada rallied in corporate worship at Fort Pierce First Haitian Church of the Nazarene from July 5-8, 2007, to celebrate God’s faithfulness and to respond to the urgency of sharing the Good News with a lost and hurting world.

On the opening night, Southern Florida District Superintendent, Dr. David Nixon challenged those assembled to have the attitude of the Good Samaritan as a template for sharing faith within each person’s particular social context. The message well received by the people who committed to take action to move out from their comfort zones into the real world of service.

Friday was spent in workshop sessions, with seminars offered on a variety of topics for attendees of all ages.  Focus was given to issues in youth ministry, the responsibility of laity, enhancing pastoral ministry, stress and the pastor’s spouse, and challenges facing children and teenagers. A number of strong Haitian church leaders presented throughout the day.

On Friday evening, Black Ministries Mission Director and Pastor of Community Worship Center Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Elmer Gillett rekindled the fire of revival with a passionate message on the importance of prayer in everyday life. This theme was continued with a Saturday morning plenary by Dr. Gillett on “What God Can Do When We Pray.”

On Saturday evening, following great music and celebration, Rev. Serge Michel, Pastor of Columbia New Generation Church of the Nazarene, reminded attendees that active faith requires catching new fish rather than taking those already in the aquarium.

It was with joy and great expectation people returned on Sunday evening to praise and worship God.  Rev. Pascal Permis, Haitian Mission Director, took time to thank the elder generation for their example of living and sharing the Nazarene faith throughout the years. He then challenged the younger generation to embrace this faith and to follow the example set before them of holiness and service. The evening closed with a vibrant message from USA/Canada Mission Support Director, Dr. Oliver Phillips. This message focused on the question, “Which church do we want our children to embrace?

Rev. Permis said of the event, “We praise God for using our speakers to stir the passion in us to go out starting new churches just as we did the past year which resulted in the birth of the five new starts: Belle Glade, Palm Bay, and Boca Raton in Florida; Douglasville, Georgia; and Nashville Tennessee. Glory to His name!

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