Haiti Sees Fervor for Christ amid Devastation

By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, March 11, 2010

A seminary student in Haiti faithfully holds Bible studies on the rubble of his home.

Despite the grim surroundings, Uriel Blanchet says, "I would not want to be anywhere else."

Blanchet is a second-year student at STEP, the evangelical theological seminary in Port-au-Prince. His house was completely destroyed in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 230,000 people in January and left more than a million homeless.

He and his family sleep in the backyard of his home, or what's left of it.

In a letter to STEP, and released by Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Blanchet said he doesn't have any financial resources to return to the seminary. But he wants to learn more about Scripture and share it with others.

"I sure would like the opportunity to study God's Word some more to be able to continue with this Bible study ministry," he wrote.

STEP is currently caring for some 2,500 people on campus. There, Haitians have not only been finding refuge but also joy as they worship God.

"I drove into the campus and heard the sound of music in the distance," Thomas Kim, executive director of Churches Helping Churches, reported. "I continued up the hill, turned the corner, and there it was: everywhere, the shadows of Haitians joyfully bouncing to the rhythm of music. Though I can't understand Creole, this song was loud and clear: 'Hosanna!' Again and again, with hands in the air, the people sang 'Hosanna!'"

The faculty at STEP estimates that 300 people have made decisions for Christ since the earthquake.

STEP is one of the most prominent seminaries in Haiti. Its mission is to prepare godly Haitian leaders who make disciples of Christ in order to transform their communities, to the glory of God.

Organizations serving throughout the Caribbean island have been reporting active worship and dozens to thousands of decisions for Christ in the aftermath of the devastation. Pastors and directors of missions at the Confraternite Missionaire Baptiste d'Haiti (CMBH) reported that 40,127 Haitians have made professions of faith in Jesus Christ since January, according to Baptist Press. Also, missionary Roy Shelpman of Baptist Mid-Missions said more than 80 people gave their lives to Christ last month during special meetings conducted by Hosanna Baptist Church in Jacmel.