HAITI – Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) members are assisting Haitian Lutherans with seminary education—and through them, with other Christians around the world.

LCC’s current involvement with seminary education in Haiti began through contacts with Rev. Walta Clercius, who became a LCC Missionary at Large for French Ministries in 2022. Rev. Clercius and other Haitian pastors had earlier set up emergency seminary training in that country after the church’s established seminary had ceased to function. The problem was compounded by the church’s continued rapid expansion, a situation which left more and more new congregations without trained pastors. Continuing discussions with LCC’s Mission Executive, Rev. Mark Smith and LCC French Ministries Missionary at Large, Rev. Dr. David Somers, led to Dr. Somers assisting the seminary as professor in January 2023, and serving as a recruiter for additional instructors going forward.

Sessions began in late 2022 led by Rev. Clercius and his associate, Rev. Dieudonne, and included 45 students (mostly in a schoolroom in Haiti with some online). By July 2023, enrollment had expanded to more than 90 students in eight countries. By February 2024, that number has risen to more than 130 individuals, and even includes the student population of an African Pentecostal church which has chosen the program to teach its own students.

The seminary operates on a small budget, and the program is supported by donations of funds and resources from a congregation in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; LCC’s Institut liturgique luthérien francophone; the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society; and Lutheran Heritage Foundation. The main physical meeting site, as well as other locations, have also been provided free of charge.

From a report by Rev. Dr. David Somers

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