Pastoral Training in Haiti through HLMS

Rev. Warren Hamp leads a course in Haiti on “Teaching the Catechism.”

by Wally Bogusat and Harold Ristau

The Haiti Lutheran Mission Society (HLMS) has recently struggled with the following question: “How much time, energy and money should be devoted to physical needs of Haitians versus the spiritual needs?”

In the past, HLMS has tended to focus on the humanitarian needs of Haitians. While this continues to be an important priority, in the last couple of years there has been a growing desire from Haitian lay leaders and Lutheran Church–Canada for increased theological education for Haiti. In a country lacking ordained pastors and opportunities for education, churches are often led by lay leaders who, although meaning well, have little or no training in the study of Scripture.

This is a tragedy given the importance that our Lord Jesus places upon the faithful teaching of His holy Word, which is necessary for salvation and eternal life. It is food for our souls. False teaching, by contrast, is like poison hidden inside that food. Like a loving father who wants to ensure that His child receives the best of nourishment, Jesus cares about our spiritual nourishment. But when teachers and spiritual leaders do not have the opportunity to receive teaching on the Bible themselves, it’s common for them to end up teaching error, though often without intent.

The results? God’s precious hearers suffer. The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of our sins through which He restores our broken relationship with God, is not consistently preached. Poor desperate Haitians are deprived of the unique hope offered to them by our gracious Heavenly Father.

To make matters worse, much of the spiritual darkness in Haiti can be attributed to their voodoo and occult culture, which is often blended with Christian practice and teaching (this is what we call “religious syncretism”). Due to this religious climate in which the Devil is hard at work, Christians suffer when they do not receive clear Christian doctrine. Haitians are some of the physically and spiritually poorest brethren on earth.

The Haiti Lutheran Mission Society remains devoted to helping. Last year we sent Rev. Warren Hamp to teach a course on “Teaching the Catechism.” We are hoping to provide such theological courses bi-annually. Unfortunately, due to the political and economic corruption in Haiti, delivering such a course costs about fifty percent more than doing the same thing in other countries of the developing world. Still, this obstacle does not hinder our desire to bring the Gospel to these Christians, in spite of the cost.

Sometimes in families, there are members that require more time and attention than others. St. Paul talks about the Church as a body in the same way. In the family of God, Lutherans in Haiti are crippled in their spiritual growth and even physical survival in ways that can seem unfathomable to us in Canada. But every member counts in the Body of Christ, so we are asking members of Lutheran Church–Canada to not only remember this vital mission in their prayers, but consider serving with us as volunteers. You can also make a financial donation. In these ways we can continue to share the love of Jesus with our Haitian brothers and sisters in both Word and deed. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated.

The Haiti Lutheran Mission Society is a Listed Service Organization of Lutheran Church–Canada. Donations may be sent by mail to:

Haiti Lutheran Mission Society
213 Linwell Rd.
St. Catharines, ON  L2N 1S1

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Wally Bogusat is Chairman of the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society and Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau is Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario.

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