Pouring into Pastors

At GO Project, we are not pastors, but we really love them! We consider it a privilege to partner with them. Pastors serve as father figures to the children in their orphan care ministry. Along with all the other demands on their time, we appreciate how difficult their job is.

Alarming burnout statistics among American pastors show how important it is to tangibly support pastors. This is especially true in third world countries, where community expectations are higher (pastors are not just expected to be spiritual shepherds, but often also a bridge-to-the-first-world, a rainmaker, bringing jobs, education and health care to the community) and resources are lower (very few pastors are supported by congregational tithes, but rather work side jobs, living seven-day-work week routines year after year).

As a result, we have made an intentional decision to pour into our pastor partners. GO Project is now co-sponsoring several pastor retreats, conferences, and training session per year in Haiti. At these events, our partners are encouraged and equipped by other pastors, both American (like the PastorServe team in these photographs) and Haitian, as evidenced by the covenant they are signing to support one another in ministry. While conferences for pastors and their wives are common here, for most in Haiti, this was a brand new experience.

Here are some of the thoughts our Haitian pastors shared:

Only eternity will tell the full history of this conference, the impact of my marriage, the impact on my family and the impact on my ministry.

This conference was a HUGE benefit to me in my life and my congregation will benefit from it.

The conference was a wonderful time of fellowship and rest in the Lord.  As a result, we will have more strength for the ministry.

Sometimes God puts his servants in the shop to be repaired.  This conference was the repair shop for my marriage.  God used this time to restore us for the Glory of God in Haiti.

This conference allowed my family to be one again.  I learned that my family must come first.  I learned how to have the heart of God.

I just spent three days in deep joy, peace and happiness.

The conference changed my life and the way I will do God’s work.

You met needs that we did not know we had.

I was looking at my face this morning, I look ten years younger. A friend who visited me said that I look twenty years younger after those three days of multiple blessings.

My wife and I learned things that restored our broken heart.

As a result of the conference, we feel better equipped to accomplish our ministry. We promise to extend the knowledge gained to other community leaders.

Obviously, at GO Project, we are more than grateful for God’s faithfulness to heal, restore, and strengthen! Investing in House Mamas and Pastors is a key part of our ministry and will become increasingly more so in the days ahead. To learn more about the next Pastors’ conference and how you can support it, please e-mail Jake at [email protected].