A Steadfast Light: Onaville Men's Bible Study

Two men from Saddleback Church (Pastor Rick Warren's church) from California, Brandon Hutchens, Clerice (NVM staff/translator) and myself started a men's Bible Study in Onaville. The study is called, "Being God's Man...In Leading a Family", by Stephen Arterburn, Kenny Luck, and Fred Stoeker. Onaville is an area that consists of roughly 500,000+ people; the majority of which were displaced into this area after the earthquake in 2010. We have a "satellite" church in Onaville (I have posted pictures on my blog of the new tent we put up earlier this year)...where about 500 or so people are attending, since the first service that was held in December 2011. I was very excited to start this Bible study...to build up the men of this community to be the leaders and righteous men we are called to be. 65 men come out to the first session; it was amazing seeing how involved these men were in the study. At the end of the session as we were packing things up, one man wanted to come up and share a little bit before we left. He told us all how thankful he was for us to start this study; they had never heard of accountability partners or been in small groups with other Christian men. He continued on to say that he had somewhat lost his faith or connection with Christ, but this study had gotten him fired up to be the man of God he knew that he should be; so that he could be a leader and positive influence for his family, friends, and community. This study is not only helping these Haitian men, but also Brandon and myself as we sit down each week doing the study ourselves, in preparation for our bi-weekly study sessions. If everyone could keep Brandon, Clerice, Pastor Jim Warner, and myself in your prayers, we would really appreciate it! Pray that God will use us as a tool for His Kingdom, to speak the words that these men need to hear in order to be leaders and positive role models amongst their families, friends, and community. I will continue to post updates about this study for the remainder of my time here in Haiti! Here are a few photos from one of our sessions: