BHM Masters students. (Photo courtesy Baptist Haiti Mission)
Haiti (MNN) ― Training pastors and Christian leaders in Haiti is an exciting adventure for Baptist Haiti Mission. BHM president Ron Sparks says, "The Masters of Education program has been going on for a few years and has really allowed for some advanced training for some of the pastors and leaders in Haiti."
Now, a new Masters program is in the works. "What we are looking forward to--in the next month--is a Masters of Theological Studies program. That will add even more to the Biblical and religious grounding of education of some of the pastors and leaders [in Haiti]."
The hope for this new program is to train leaders how to teach others effectively. "It's a big step in the direction of strengthening the church in Haiti because this makes the Christian leaders much more educated and well-grounded in biblical knowledge and principles, and it just helps them be stronger individuals," says Sparks.
Along with starting a Masters of Theological Studies program, Baptist Haiti Mission is also expanding into the northwest part of Haiti, opening up a new training center around the area of Atrel. Sparks adds, "This is exciting because again it is very remote, and it takes a lot of time and transportation, expense, and resources to go up and visit that area. We are looking forward to getting that opened up with a new education center there, which is going to be able to better train the teachers, pastors, and church leaders of that area."
Another step of advancement is geared to 350 schools for children. BHM is assisting the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) from eastern Canada in establishing an office in Haiti. "This will be really exciting too, because ACSI will be able to expand training for the school teachers, give them a better grounding and a real biblical worldview, and equip them to do a better job in the classroom. This is something that is very important to us at Baptist Haiti Mission."
With the Masters of Theological Studies program launching next month, as well as opening the ACSI office in Haiti, BHM is excited about the future. "We can look forward to having other programs--as appropriate-- down the road, even perhaps a doctoral program or other master's degree programs," says Sparks.
Pray that the Masters of Theological program is effective in training up great leaders. Pray for the construction and staffing of the new education center near Atrel. Pray that God will transform hearts and lives through the efforts of Baptist Haiti Mission.
