First Presbyterian Church in Port-au-Prince

Coram Deo International Aid would like to share with you their joy and thankfulness that on October 26, the First Presbyterian church of Port-au-Prince celebrated their inaugural worship service. This church is a joint project of the Presbyterian Mission to Haiti (PMH) and the Orthodox Presbyterian Mission to Haiti (OPMH). This is a great blessing for CDIA and its directors, Randy and Karen Lodder! They now have a Reformed church where they can worship and experience communion.
The church is using Adoration Christian School for their worship services and meetings until they can find a property of their own. In return the Haitian pastors will teach catechism to Adoration students.

The church and school, while remaining separate organizations, hope to work alongside one another to the glory of God. It is the hope and prayer of CDIA that many staff members, students and their families will join this church and be brought into the family of God's children.

Below, you can find some questions and answers, concerning the new church.

Who is overseeing the church plant?
The First Presbyterian Church of Port-au-Prince (FPC) is the combined effort of the Presbyterian Mission of Haiti (PMH) and the Orthodox Presbyterian Mission of Haiti (OPMH). Both ministries are in the process of partnering to form a presbytery in Haiti that will govern and oversee their churches. This presbytery will also organize training and ordination of office bearers.

Where else are these missions active?
The PMH has 5 churches, including schools, along the coast, northwest of PaP.   They also have a ministry centre in Messailer (along the coast, north of PaP) which includes a training centre, church, school, orphanage, office and house. This is the compound which was so severely damaged during the floods of this fall.
OPMH has 7 churches on the island of LaGonave, under the leadership of Ben and Heather Hopp, OPC missionaries.

Which individuals are involved in the leadership of this church?
Pastor Benjamin Hopp (ordained OPC pastor).
Pastor Charles Amicy (ordained PCA pastor)
Pastor Octavius Delfils (ordained PCA pastor)
Pastor Leon Amicy (ordained PMH pastor)
Randy Lodder (director of Adoration)

What is the relationship between Adoration Christian school and the church in Port-au-Prince?
Adoration Christian School will remain the project of CDIA, separate from the church.
FPC will use the school facilities for Sunday services, evening prayer meetings and Bible studies, and the pastors will have some office space for meetings with congregants.
The pastors have been found willing to teach catechism to the students of Adoration. CDIA is also excited about the possibility of getting assistance with teacher training and development from these men who have a great deal of practical experience in the Haitian education system.

Has CDIA funded the church at all, and do they plan to in the future?
The pastors of this church are funded by their supporting churches.
CDIA has not funded this project with financial donations. The church uses Adoration facilities for free. There are some construction projects planned that would be of benefit to both the church and the school. Such projects may be undertaken by a short term missions team, which would then raise the funds and look after the construction.
It is the hope of the church that they will be supported by the congregants through regular giving.

What role do Randy and Karen Lodder have in the church plant?
Randy and Karen will join this church and be active members. They will encourage staff, students and medical clients to attend the services. Randy is part of the leadership team, and will offer his gifts to the up-building of this church.
Randy: “We are extremely enthusiastic about this church plant as it ties the organization and work here to a reformed church and community! It is a beautiful door which the LORD has opened, as an incredible answer to many prayers offered.

How long will the church be using the school building?
CDIA board has stipulated that there be a six month review of the situation, and if all goes well, to continue through the year.
A longer term agreement would then be put into place before the start of the second year.

Where can I find more information about these churches?
CDIA will keep readers posted on new developments via email updates and posting on the website: www.cdiacanada.com.
PCA’s website is called Mission to the World. Go to www.mtw.org, click our Work, Latin America, Haiti.

What is the vision and goal of the church plant?

“ It is to establish a reformed and presbyterian church in this community, a church that is God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, and Spirit-led. It will be a church that focuses on the pure preaching of the Word of God, teaches reformed doctrine and creeds, trains faithful leaders, is saturated in prayer, is concerned about out-reach, education, and impacting society. It will be a church that is a people-loving body, concerned about their neighbours. The church, as a mission project has the goal to be self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating.

The PMH/OPMH promote education through schools and training centres, along with the church. Their aim is to raise up leaders from among Haitians.

Although there are many churches in Port-au-Prince, the need for a reformed church and witness in this community cannot be overstated. The need to teach the whole, pure Word of God and disciple people in making faith a part of every sphere of life are important issues here.

Three of the pastors are Haitian and this is a blessing! They have an understanding of the Haitian people, their trials and situations, and how the gospel is to be presented in this culture.”

Leadership Team Members

Pastor Ben Hopp came to Haiti in June of 2007. His main ministry is on the island of LaGonave, but he and his wife, Heather and two children live on the mainland. Pastor Hopp believes that the PaP ministry is strategic as it is a centre for education and access to different classes of people and potential leaders.

Pastor Charles Amicy was originally trained in the Baptist seminary in Haiti, graduating in 1995. While he was still studying he became convinced of the Reformed faith, and decided to complete his Masters of Divinity at Greenville Seminary in South Carolina. In 1997 he returned to Haiti, and began to start PCA churches around the country.

Pastor Octavius Delfils also completed his M. Div. at Greenville. In addition he also has a business administration degree, and has worked as a school principal. He will be the main pastor at the church in PaP.

Pastor Leon Amicy is the brother of Pastor Charles, who trained him in the Reformed faith. He will act in a supportive role, as a worship leader, and in training young men in the faith.

Randy Lodder, director of Adoration school, will take on a leadership role in the church, and in training, as well as Bible study. His lifelong membership in the Reformed churches will be of great benefit to the new church.