This is a ministry near and dear to The Preacher's and my heart - and our story of coming alongside Bethanie Mission is very much connected to small business and specifically, women in small business.
At Harvest Church, because we are not a mega church - because we are careful with our resources - we support only those missions, missionaries, and projects with whom we share a very personal bond. We have to know the men and women who are on location in any given nation. And when I say "know", what I really mean is they have to become our friends. In addition, at some point, we, and members of our church, also have to have been physically there as "boots on the ground", seeing the effectiveness of the efforts on a first-hand basis. Then, we support that ministry wherever and however we can.
Bethanie Mission of Haiti is one such ministry.
In about 2002, Tim Atchley (my husband, aka "The Preacher") began traveling to Haiti and helping the founders of Bethanie Mission, Ignace and Franchette Augustine, getting to know them, and the ministry, there in Haiti.
Bethanie Evangelical Mission of Haiti was launched in 1975 by Ignace and Franchette Augustine.
Since that beginning, the ministry has grown to 57 churches, a Bible school for training pastors and leaders, 10 elementary – middle schools, 4 high schools, 2 medical clinics, and orphanage, a national radio station and well drilling operations for fresh, potable water. The need for churches in Haiti is great, so the vision to advance the Kingdom of God into communities throughout Haiti continues.
Through a comprehensive and large vision given by God, Pastor Ignace Augustine, along with a team of leaders raised up in Haiti, have been able to impact the lives of thousands through the preaching and teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and practical ministry tools aimed at equipping the generations for life. This vision, in large part, has been made possible through the generosity and prayers of saints here in the United States who catch the vision to see a nation that was once dedicated to Satan, won over to Jesus Christ!
On our end, in 2014, after a few years' hiatus, my Preacher ended up making a return trip to Haiti...a trip that was largely envisioned and funded by a group of small businesswomen here in Knoxville. It was after this trip that Tim was approached and formally asked to become the new President of the board of Bethanie Mission here in the United States. Oh, the things women can accomplish, and the destinies that can be altered for the good, when they tether the success of their small business to the benefit of the local church, and of world missions!
After much consideration and prayer, he said yes.
(a short video clip of my Preacher and Ignace Augustine, on one of his 2014 trips to Haiti...)
In short, we know this ministry intimately, we know this couple intimately, and we have first hand knowledge of every aspect of Bethanie Mission in Haiti. And we warmly invite you to confidently be a part of what God is doing in lives of the amazing, resourceful people there.
There are several ways you can come alongside:
1. prayer
2. a tax deductible donation through PayPal (please note: all funds go directly to Bethanie Mission. Neither my Preacher or any member of the board of Bethanie Mission receives any remuneration for their hard work. No part of your donation comes to us or to Harvest Church where Tim serves as senior pastor.)
3. by scheduling a short-term mission trip. If you...yes, you...want to bring a small group on a short term missions trip to Haiti to work hard and share the Gospel in 2015 or 2016, please contact me and we will ask you a few questions and get the ball rolling.
