Howard & Ruth Van Dam
Vision
Howard and Ruth see God’s people in Haiti engaged in community transformation so that the Kingdom of God flourishes with God’s love, peace, justice, and compassion until all have surrendered to Christ’s lordship.
Mission
Howard and Ruth are a part of Sous Espwa (Source of Hope), a community of international Christians representing the CRCNA in Haiti. Sous Espwa collaborates with Christian organizations and churches to promote and participate in the ministry of transformation.
Ministry in Haiti
Howard and Ruth Van Dam work in the Caribbean country of Haiti. Haiti is a small country of more than eight million people on the same island as the Dominican Republic (DR). However, these two countries differ in both language and culture. While the DR is a Latin-based culture with Spanish as its main language, Haiti’s roots are in Africa and France. Haiti’s two official languages are French and French Creole. Haiti as a whole is still primarily an agricultural based economy.
The Christian Reformed Church of North America’s main global missions agencies, Christian Reformed World Missions, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, and Back to God Hour Ministries International, work together in ministry in Haiti under the name Sous Espwa.
Our mission strategy for church and community development involves partnering with seven Haitian organizations who share a common vision with Sous Espwa and a desire to improve their ministry programs and organizational development. Sous Espwa currently has eight North American hired staff members, along with two partner teachers plus spouses and children, as well as several Haitian staff members.
Howard works mainly with the following three Christian organizations doing ministry in Haiti:
The Haitian CRC (ECRH)
Begun in 1987 and legally established in 1999, the ECRH currently has 26 organized churches and seven stations with nearly 3,000 members. Several ECRH committees have been created to focus on specific ministry areas. These committees, and other denominational efforts, are supported by a family quota system for ECRH members. Sous Espwa consults with the ECRH and provides matching funds to help the church develop its ministries.
The Ministry for Christian Development (MDK)
MDK is an ecumenical training by extension program for church leaders and Christian school teachers. MDK also provides a Bible correspondence program. MDK has revamped its training methodology so that it has become a biblical, practical, community-based, holistic and participatory training institute. Sous Espwa provides MDK with consultative and financial support.
The Consortium for the Reinforcement of Christian Education in Haiti (CRECH)
CRECH is a coalition of organizations dedicated to producing sound biblically-based curriculum for church and mission affiliated schools in Haiti. CRECH has completed a Bible curriculum for grades one through six. They are now developing a syllabus to accompany the government-required curriculum for other subjects to help teachers present the subjects from a biblical worldview.
Ruth’s main ministries lie in two places. At home, she and Howard are raising four children and open their home for hospitality and encouragement. At the Sous Espwa office, Ruth works in administration, communication, and team building.
Thank You
We praise God for His work around the world and the privilege of serving Him. Thank you for your prayers, generosity and support for our ministry with Christian Reformed World Missions. Together, by the grace of God, our efforts are transforming lives and communities worldwide. Thank you.
Contact Information
Email:
hvandam@crcna.org (Howard), rvandam@fastmail.fm (Ruth) |
