MFI's "Missionary Spotlight":

showing the people who are sharing the Gospel in the West Indies

January/February Spotlight - Baptist Haiti Mission

"Our vision - To evangelize the soul, disciple the person, educate the mind, heal the body and restore the land for the people of Haiti"

Baptist Haiti Mission was founded in 1943 by John Turnbull.  The property in Fermathe, outside of Port Au Prince was purchased that year to use for the mission's headquarters.  He and his family arrived in Haiti in 1946.  They began with first aid work, and then established the first church in 1947.  The first school associated with BHM was established in 1948.  In 1952, John Turnbull's son Wallace became the new director of BHM.  His wife Eleanor took on the task of preparing the first Creole concordance, a task which she completed in 1960.  Eleanor's mother, affectionately referred to as "Granny", provided medical care, while others taught basic literacy and handicrafts.  The first high school associated with BHM was established in 1981 in the mountains at Fermathe.  The ministry now includes over 330 schools and churches, a hospital, a number of medical clinics, and many community development programs.  The mission base is still in Fermathe, with a Board of Directors whose office is located in Rockford, Michigan.  After 58 years as Field Directors in Haiti, Wallace and Eleanor Turnbull relocated to Virginia, and the directorship was passed to the Rob and Patti Baker in 2004.  Wallace and Eleanor continue to serve BHM as consultants to the Board of Directors, as well as assisting with fundraising.

The Baptist Haiti Mission believes that a strong spiritual foundation is the cornerstone of a successful mission work.  Underlying all programs at the mission is the single goal of introducing people to spiritual life through Jesus Christ.  The churches associated with BHM, over 300 of them, currently serve over 100,000 members and associates.  These churches are led by Haitian pastors and lay leadership.  The churches' many activities include preaching, teaching, Sunday School, meetings and general evangelism to the surrounding communities.  Each church is self-governing, while BHM remains involved in supporting them through pastoral and leadership training, counseling, administrational aid, and church construction.  Other church programs include mission camps and a summer leadership training institute, both of which are designed to equip pastors and churches in their witness for Christ in their community.

Playing a major role in this part of the BHM ministry is the 4C Child Sponsorship Program.  The "4C" stands for "Christ Centered Child Care".  For just $25 a month, a sponsored child will receive medical and dental care, a school uniform, a hot lunch every day, and a Christian education in a school associated with BHM.  A Hernando, Florida woman who currently sponsors six children explains that the reason she chose BHM's child sponsorship program is that, "I know that every penny that I send goes to the children".  Child sponsors are encouraged to exchange photos and letters with their sponsored children, to pray faithfully for them, and to send birthday cards and Christmas gifts.  The sponsor is kept up to date on the child's progress, including spiritual, medical and educational.  This program is a wonderful way to make a difference in the life of a needy child.

Other BHM projects include the Mountain Maid program, Project Hope, and an agricultural assistance program.  These are all part of what is called the "Self Help" project.  These programs teach the people trade skills in producing and marketing quality handicrafts, auto mechanics, plumbing and other construction trades and help the traditional farmer to increase his farm productivity.

From humble beginnings, the Lord has grown the Baptist Haiti Mission into an organization with a far-reaching impact upon the inhabitants of Haiti.  The Haiti Field office currently employs over 80 people and coordinates the work of over 35 pastors, over 15 school coordinators, and over 1,500 school directors and teachers.  Each day in Haiti, souls are being saved and lives are being changed by the faithful staff and supporters of Baptist Haiti Mission.

Baptist Haiti Mission has spent over 60 years serving the Lord and the people of Haiti.  To learn more about this ministry, friends and supporters are encouraged to write to them at the following mail and e-mail addresses, or visit the BHM website:

Baptist Haiti Mission
Unit 2019 - BHM
3170 Airmans Drive
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946
E-mail: bhmhaiti@bhm.org

There are many ways in which the Lord can use His people to share the love of Christ.  MFI's "Missionary Spotlight" shows how different people and different missions organizations have answered His call, and through the ministry of MFI, have gone forth to share the Gospel in the West Indies.

June/July Spotlight - Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)

December Spotlight - Pastor Saint-Ange Monestime, His Harvest Fields

November Spotlight - Paul and Belle Romeus, Grace Missions International - Haiti

September/October Spotlight - MMS Aviation, "Preparing People and Planes for Worldwide Mission Service"