Pastor Fredo Ignace with baptismal candidate, Rodelin Francois. (Photos: Shawn Santana)
On July 20, French Camp Meeting at Southern New England Conference (SNEC) celebrated with a full lineup of dynamic preaching, music, and programming for every age.
Pierre Caporal, the union president of Haiti, presented the message in the main pavilion. The morning service was preceded by a Pathfinder parade with young people and leaders in full-dress uniform led by a color guard and drum corps. “They [presented] some special messages from the Bible, and they walked and sang in Jesus’ name,” declared Abraham St. Croix, Pathfinder Master Guide and pastor of the Nouvelle Arche and Jerusalem Haitian churches.
As a unique outreach plan to invite local Christians to camp meeting, the Haitian pastors planned a Christian talent show open to the non-Adventist Christian community that culminated at camp meeting. A panel of judges with a representative from every church officiated and substantial cash prizes were awarded for the top three participants. The final three tournaments formed the afternoon concert, with five of the 12 finalists being non-Adventists.
The highlight of the day was the baptism of 51 individuals, surrounded by the sounds of the choir and musicians. This is the reason behind camp meeting celebration. “We are trying to teach our members that coming together is one thing, but if we want to celebrate, it’s because of baptisms. When one soul accepts Jesus, [then] it is time to celebrate,” explained Yves Francis, SNEC Personal Ministry, Sabbath School and ACS director.
Starting the Sunday before camp meeting, Dr. Caporal preached via Zoom every night as speaker for the reaping meetings that were held in every SNEC Haitian church or district, ending the program in person at camp meeting. All Haitian churches closed for the day and encouraged their members to come to camp meeting. They even secured eight full-size buses to make sure everyone had a ride.
“Camp meeting is a special thing, a celebration like in the Old Testament when people went to Jerusalem. Everyone came together came together to celebrate and worship God,” said Jean Parisien, SNEC Haitian coordinator. “One day, we want to meet, not in Southern New England, but together with God’s people in all the world and worship God face to face.”
Amen!
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