Spiritual Ministries

Guiding this aspect of the ministry are our missionaries-in-residence, Arthur and Becky Spalding, on loan from Source of Light Ministries International, a literature and discipleship ministry base in Madison, GA. They divide their attention and energies between both organizations.

From its inception, Double Harvest has had a commitment to the dual nature of its mission: to minister to both the physical AND spiritual needs of people. We understand that a person’s deepest need is a spiritual one, a changed life through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only through this restored relationship with God that forgiveness, purpose, meaning and strength for this life is gained, and hope and certainty for eternal life is guaranteed. This is true for both the wealthy and the impoverished. Double Harvest is about “Sowing Seeds of Life” for this life and the next.

These purposes are accomplished in some of the following ways:

Farm
At the beginning of each work day a twenty minute Bible study, devotional and evangelistic in nature, is conducted for all the farm and greenhouse workers. These are led by Haitian Christian employees, the missionary-in-residence, local pastors and occasionally by members of visiting mission teams. Over the years personal discussions, prayer, and spiritual decisions have resulted from observing this daily priority.

Clinic
A similar devotional time is held for patients in the waiting area of the medical/surgical clinic just prior to opening for the day. Besides videos/DVDs on hygiene and personal health care, Christian films such as the Jesus Film are also shown throughout the day. Prayer occurs with individual patients facing difficult diagnoses or surgeries. Again, spiritual decisions have resulted from the compassionate care the patients receive.

School
Beyond the curriculum required by the government, Bible classes are included for all grade levels. These are taught by either one of the full time teachers or an adjunct teacher. Our goal is not only that the students receive an excellent education in a Christian atmosphere and adopt a Christian world view, but also personally respond to God’s Spirit working in their lives. It is these foundational experiences and decisions that will guide them the rest of their lives and will prepare them to positively impact their culture.

Church
As stated in the Welcome section, a church, Eglise Baptiste Evangelique, has grown out of the ministry. It is associated with but independent of Operation Double Harvest (the official name of the project/ministry in Haiti). There is, however, a cooperative spirit between the two ministries resulting in a number of jointly sponsored ministry efforts, many of them mentioned here.

Under the guidance of Arthur Spalding, a gifted young man is being trained to be the pastor, elders are providing leadership for the church, Sunday worship services and Sunday School classes are conducted and various ministries have been organized. Prayer and Bible study meetings occur weekly, usually in a village outside the home of a church member; they see these as both fellowship and witness. Every four to six weeks an evangelistic outreach to neighboring villages is planned using the Jesus Film. This mostly young congregation is showing signs of spiritual health and maturity.

Pastors' Conference
Every year in the early part of January, Double Harvest hosts a conference attracting over 100 pastors from various denominations. Normally two Bible teachers lead the main teaching sessions while others facilitate various workshops. Teaching times, accommodation and meals are provided at the school. This is a wonderful time of training, refreshment, building relationships, and encouragement as many local pastors minister alone and in difficult situations.

Vacation Bible School
Each summer a Vacation Bible School is held on the school grounds for children of the church and local villages. This is indeed a cooperative effort as Child Evangelism Fellowship is involved in the training of over 30 Haitian teachers and a mission team from the U.S. directs the games and crafts for over 300 children. Because of limited facilities, many children have to be turned away. Each year a number of children accept Jesus as their Savior.

Youth Camp
Each summer a camp facility is rented near the ocean providing a great setting for around 200 teens to enjoy recreation, competition, food, Bible study, challenging teaching and…little sleep! Typically, each camper receives a camp T-shirt, a devotional booklet, a French Bible, a note pad and a pen. These are times when key spiritual decisions are made by individuals, confronting a youth culture that lacks a moral compass, Biblical values, integrity and hope.

English Camp
For the past number of years, a mission team has conducted an English Camp at the school facility each summer. This is an opportunity for interested Haitians to learn and practice their English skills through typical ESL training, Bible studies, drama, games and idioms (those strange and fun expressions of the English language). A challenging message on the relevance of the gospel is given daily and a noon meal is provided. Great relationships and discussions result from this ministry.