Answering the Call: How Brentwood Baptist Church Is Helping Rescue Orphans in Haiti’s Crisis

In times of crisis, God often calls His people to act with both urgency and compassion. This calling has been dramatically answered through the efforts of Tim Brister, a faithful member of our Brentwood Baptist Church at our Station Hill campus, whose ministry in Haiti now faces its greatest challenge yet.

A Ministry Born from Disaster

Fifteen years ago, following the catastrophic earthquake that claimed over 300,000 lives in Haiti, Tim began a journey that would eventually become The Haiti Collective. Through this ministry, local Haitian churches have been empowered to make disciples, train pastors, plant churches, care for orphans, and develop sustainable business opportunities that alleviate poverty and strengthen communities.

This work reflects our church’s unwavering commitment to engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ – anywhere, anytime, and with anybody.

Crisis at the Doorstep

The situation in Haiti has deteriorated dramatically in recent years. Following the assassination of Haiti’s president and the subsequent collapse of governmental authority, gang violence has overwhelmed much of the country. Roads, ports, and even hospitals have fallen under gang control, with thousands kidnapped or killed.

The Artibonite region, where much of The Haiti Collective’s work is centered, has become the epicenter of this violence. Two weeks ago, the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition seized control of Mirebalais, displacing over 30,000 residents and causing church members to flee for their lives – some were shot, others wounded, and the survivors sought refuge in the mountains and along the river.

Now, the ministry’s headquarters in Desarmes faces imminent threat from advancing gangs, putting the mother church and primary orphanage in grave danger.

Our Church’s Response

When Tim reached out with the urgent need for an emergency evacuation of the orphaned children and workers, our church family responded without hesitation. Through our international disaster relief funds – made possible by your faithful giving – Brentwood Baptist Church has joined in providing crucial support for this life-saving mission.

We believe that God has positioned us for such a time as this. When we heard about the immediate need to evacuate these vulnerable children, we knew we had to act quickly and decisively.

The evacuation plan includes helicopter extraction through HERO (Haiti Emergency Response Organization), as roads are no longer safe for travel. The operation requires coordinating with indigenous leaders and government agencies while securing safe housing accommodations in gang-free areas like Cap Haitian.

The Gospel in Action

This emergency response embodies what we mean when we talk about engaging the whole person with the whole gospel. It’s not just about spiritual salvation – though that remains central – but also about meeting urgent physical needs in Jesus’ name.

How You Can Help

The Haiti Collective is working to raise $100,000 to cover extraction costs, housing, supplies, and support for displaced families. Through the generosity of our church family and others, $23,000 has already been raised, but much more is needed.

As a church that believes in engaging the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ – anywhere, anytime, with anybody – we invite you to prayerfully consider how you might participate in this urgent ministry:

1. Pray fervently for the safe evacuation of these children and workers
2. Give through our church’s international disaster relief fund
3. Share this story with others who might join in supporting this critical mission

A Testament to Faithful Stewardship

This emergency response is only possible because of the faithful giving of our church family. Your consistent support of our international disaster relief funds means that when crises like this arise, we can respond immediately and effectively.

You can support this fund by giving today.