Where Are They
Now ?
Catching Up With OMS Haiti Partners
By Dave Graffenberger , Former Field Director , Haiti
We thank God for the legacy of 66 years of fruitful ministry in Haiti . In these years , many OMS missionaries and Haitian leaders have fulfilled OMS ’ goals of multiplying disciples , churches , leaders , and missionaries ... and then passing the baton to national leadership .
OMS began ministry in Haiti in 1958 , following God ’ s leading to purchase Radio 4VEH as its first ministry . Today , Storly Michel , a Haitian , leads Radio-TV 4VEH . The station employs 50 Haitians and ministers through AM , FM , and social media .
Many hours of broadcasting , as well as evangelism through radio distribution , continue to build the church in Haiti . The finances are the best they have ever been , thanks to God ’ s provision , the efforts of Kate Michel , and matching funds for yearend giving .
After 4VEH , OMS launched the Bethesda Medical Center ( BMC ) in a small 12 ’ x 12 ’ building , which has grown from that one to six buildings . For the past 10 years , Dr . Rodney Baptiste , who grew up in the area , has led the ministry . Last year , BMC ministered to 82,127 patients . This ministry is 70 percent funded within Haiti .
In 1965 , OMS encouraged Haitian pastors to organize The Evangelical Church of Haiti as the third OMS ministry there . Today , this denomination is independent of OMS , has its own board composed of Haitians in the U . S ., and is led by Haitian leaders in Haiti . It has about 65 churches , many of which have schools .
The fourth ministry , Emmaus Vocational Bible School , began in 1967 . Over the years , it has gone through different stages … Emmaus Bible School , Emmaus Seminary , and now Emmaus University ( EU ), with nearly 200 students . EU provides several undergraduate programs and three master ’ s degrees from which government offi-
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