During my visit to Haiti in September with a small volunteer team, I wasn’t expecting Poyis to ask me to preach on Sunday. So when he did, I thought he was joking. He wasn’t. Our philosophy at Connect 2 is to NOT have Americans preach because we want Haitians to see their own preachers bring God’s Word. I checked with Greg and both of us agreed that it would be good for me to be visible in front of the church, so they will know who I am. 

Fortunately, you learn in ministry that you always need to have a sermon ready. Since I keep all of my sermons on my laptop, I found one that I liked and spent the rest  of the evening getting ready. The Haitians are a story-telling people, so I chose the  parable from Luke 11 about being persistent in praying toward the Father. My prayer was that God would bless my prep and effort to encourage both the American and Haitian audience.

Very early on Sunday, the team and I walked in the back door. Upon our arrival, we noticed there were probably about 30 congregants and 100 children from the Regency Home. The children were on the left hand side and took up 3/4 of that side of the church. Picture 100 children, ages 5 to 17, all singing together. I noticed that a few of the older ones were up front helping, sprinkled in with the other adults who led worship. As the service progressed, the families continued to come. There were all ages of people, but especially young families with kids, and what looked to be a number of singles. There was also a screen to the left with the projected words to the songs on the  screen. According to Allan, a friend on our team, many of the songs could be read in French.

Poyis gave a pastoral prayer, there was an offering where people would take the front. In the background, there was lots of singing. Around 8:10 Poyis brought me up and introduced me. He stood beside me to translate as I introduced the American volunteer team, and then I shared a little about my family before I preached. 

As I mentioned, the sermon centered around the parable that Jesus told in Luke 11:5-13 about the persistent friend who needed bread and the command from the Lord  to be persistent in prayer from the Good Heavenly Father. It can be a little awkward preaching with a translator, but Poyis and I got into a rhythm and it went well. I could tell that the people were attentive, including the children from the Home. They heard the message to be persistent in prayer and that God has given us the good gift of the Holy Spirit. When we are faithful to ask of Him, He aligns our will with His will. According to the Spirit’s guidance and according to His Word, He gives us good things. We do this in faith, but we must be persistent. I used my granddaughter Maisie as an illustration, which they loved. Maisie is very persistent with her PaPa to take her on walks in the neighborhood. I love it when she does this, and I usually take her on the walk.

The sermon lasted about 35 minutes and after me Poyis wrapped up with a  summary for the people on the same theme. The service ended at 9am. It was fun to shake the hands of the people as they left. They were warm. It’s always a joy to attend a Haitian church service, and I hope you are able to soon, too.

Wiley Kennedy serves as Director of International Ministries with Connect 2 Ministries. To learn more about Wiley, visit Who We Are, and to learn more about how you can pray for the ministry visit Pray.