Otterbein Church is partnering with O.E.B.B. (Bethesda Evangelical Baptist Mission) to minister to the people of Haiti with a special focus on Marbial, a mountain community in southern Haiti. This partnership includes financial support, sending short-term ministry teams, and may include micro-business assistance and loans, and sending an Otterbein “full-time missionary” to work with the leadership of O.E.B.B.

Background

In 2007, the leadership of Otterbein Church established “7 Next Steps” that they wanted to focus on as a congregation. One of those next steps was to “expand and further develop our service/outreach in our community, nation and throughout the world. This may include things like adopting a community in Haiti and sending teams to Haiti for construction, VBS and agricultural training.”

In December 2007 a vision team traveled to Haiti and met with representatives from OMS. Our vision did not fit into the ministry plan of OMS and it was agreed to not pursue further a partnership with OMS in Haiti.

In early 2009, Otterbein Associate Pastor Dirk Small pursued and met with several organizations that work in Haiti to determine the feasibility of Otterbein becoming involved in Haiti. None of those organizations seemed to be a good fit for how Otterbein hoped to be involved in Haiti, and it was agreed that we would continue to pursue other organizations.

In the fall of 2009, Otterbein’s Global Ministries Team met with the International Director and United States Director of Emmanuel International, an organization that largely helps local churches partner with other ministries/churches throughout the world.

In November 2009, Pastor Dirk Small and John Horton, one of Otterbein’s elders, traveled to Haiti with the International Director of Emmanuel International to see the work of O.E.B.B. and its Director, Pastor Martinez Jovin. Following that trip, there was a sense that Otterbein should continue to pursue a partnership with O.E.B.B. and develop a long-term relationship.

In March 2010, Senior Pastor Mike Newman, Pastor Dirk Small, John Horton and Denise Lancaster traveled to Haiti to meet with Pastor Martinez Jovin, O.E.B.B.’s founder and director, to discuss more specific ways Otterbein Church could partner with O.E.B.B. in the future. Following that trip, the leadership of Otterbein Church formally agreed to partner with O.E.B.B. in ministering to the people of Haiti with a special emphasis on the mountain community of Marbial.

What is O.E.B.B.?

O.E.B.B. is the Oeuvre Evangelique Baptist Bethesda (Bethesda Evangelical Baptist Mission) and has been in existence since 1969. It was formally licensed by the Haitian government in 1986. O.E.B.B. has had the privilege to minister to several communities by being involved in the following: church planting, formal and non-formal education, health care, reforestation, sanitation, small business loans, boys and girls orphanages and spiritual care. The mission of O.E.B.B. has been to focus on spreading the gospel message, helping believers grow in the likeness of Christ and strengthen the whole person so he/she will become a productive citizen.

Pastor Martinez Jovin provides leadership to O.E.B.B. He and his wife Emma are Haitian nationals who have faithfully ministered in Haiti throughout their lives. He received pastoral and theological training in England, and Emma received training in nursing in Jamaica and England. They are highly respected by the people to whom they minister and have significant influence with thousands of people in Haiti.

O.E.B.B. oversees nine churches in and around Port au Prince with combined membership of more than 2,000; eight schools with combined enrollment of nearly 1,400; three orphanages; two medical clinics; and the distribution of food and water. Altogether, O.E.B.B.’s influence reaches approximately 10,000 people.

Why Haiti?

The physical and spiritual needs of the county of Haiti are great. Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere and one of the poorest nations in the world. Although the Christian church has ministered in Haiti for many years, there are still many unmet spiritual needs. The location of Haiti (about 1700 miles from Waynesboro) and the ability for people from Otterbein to regularly travel to Haiti also makes it a practical location for ministry outside our local community.

Our Current Involvement

In December 2009, Otterbein had a special Gift Giver emphasis during which $5,730 was given to purchase goats, pigs and chickens, provide teacher salaries and provide for a medical doctor in Marbial.

In response to the January 2010 earthquake, Otterbein has given $13,332 to purchase food and water; $500 to provide assistance with teacher salaries in Marbial; and $15,000 for earthquake damage cleanup in Marbial and other communities under the oversight of O.E.B.B. For more information about Otterbein's earthquake response, click here.

Our Next Steps

In May or June 2010 we hope to send a construction team to Marbial to work alongside the Haitians in repairing/rebuilding the guest house and dining area so future ministry teams can visit. During this trip, the team will also distribute the Gift Giver animals and the money for teachers and doctors.

One or two additional trips in the fall or winter 2010 will be planned. These trips may include medical, education and pastoral ministry development and will be more regional in focus.

Additional Comments

Because of the rainy season, trips to Haiti will take place from mid-November to March of each year.

In most cases, ministry teams from Otterbein Church will work alongside Haitians and not provide leadership to projects.As such, in most cases, Otterbein will not be directly purchasing supplies, determining priorities, etc.

Otterbein Church will not directly support or fund any person or church in Haiti. Our partnership is with O.E.B.B., and its leadership will help us prioritize and determine best ways to be involved in Haiti.

Financial investment will largely be given as part of specific projects/ministries with which we are directly involved, thus assuring accountability of the funds.

Our partnership is a multi-year commitment.

Haiti Greater Things Video

Following the March trip to Haiti, Denise Lancaster, director of multimedia, put together a 5-minute video from pictures and video shot while on the trip. To view it, click here. You will be taken to Youtube.

How to Get Involved

In the weeks, months and years ahead, there will be many ways for people to get involved in Otterbein’s partnership with O.E.B.B. including prayer, participation in short-term trips and financial giving. If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved, please call or email Pastor Dirk Small at 717.652.7147 x233 or dirk@otterbeinchurch.org.