SONLIGHT MINISTRIES – Port-de-Paix, Haiti

We are currently working with an organization called Sonlight Ministries.  Essentially, Sonlight has three different facets:  1) Sonlight Academy, 2) Sonlight Church, and 3) Sonlight Bible College.  Below is more information about each of these three:

Sonlight Academy:

In 1983, Roger and Norma Alexander moved to Haiti with their two young daughters, Cara and Amber. They moved to the northernmost city of Port-de-Paix, a mere 70 miles from Cuba. When Roger and Norma arrived in Haiti, their goal was to teach and train church leaders. They desired to educate them in New Testament principles and procedures, so that Haitians could better minister to their own people. The Alexanders believed firmly that no one would reach Haiti as well as Haitians themselves. Therefore, their goal from the outset was training church leaders and lay pastors. It soon became clear, however, that Voodoo was far too entrenched in many peoples’ lives to un-teach their false beliefs. In order to reach the people of Haiti before they became completely devoted to Voodoo, it would be necessary to begin instruction at a younger age. Thus was born the idea for a Christian school.  In 2001, Sonlight became a full-size Christian school, educating more than 300 students in preschool through 12th grade.  Currently, Sonlight Ministries utilizes around 25 Americans and around 40 Haitians.

Sonlight Church:

In 1991, Sonlight’s staff decided to start a church, so that students would have a place to worship where the teaching was consistent with what they were learning at school daily. The new church began with an English service, but soon added a Creole one. Over time, members of the community gave their lives to Christ, and the Creole service grew.  Today, Sonlight Church has more than 300 members and attenders. The congregation is led by two Haitian pastors, Franck Estalus and Archimel Denis. Sonlight is currently building a multi-purpose building to house the growing congregation of Sonlight Church. When complete, the building will have a worship center/gymnasiam, offices, and classrooms.

Sonlight Bible College:

Sonlight Bible College began in October of 2004 with 12 students in an intensive English class and one class on the gospel of Mark.  SBC’s primary objective became: that students know and understand the Bible, and that they know how to use the Bible powerfully and responsibly for ministry and Christian witness in the community.

As of August 2008, Sonlight Bible College will have 66 students enrolled across 5 different classes (Intensive English, Fresh., Soph, Junior, Senior).  Sonlight Bible College will be offering 13 different courses per Trimester with at least 3 “full-time” professors and 2 “part-time” professors.  Of the beginning 12, a predicted 7 students will be graduating in May 2009, having completed all requirements for graduation. SBC should be officially “recognized” by the appropriate government ministry by next Aug/Sept.

Sonlight Bible College offers a 4-year, 132-credit hour B.A. program in Bible and Christian Theology. Courses focus heavily on Biblical study and theology but also include Practical Ministry, Church History, Christian Ethics, Mission and Evangelism, Biblical languages, and continuing English courses.

Students range in age from 19 to mid-50’s.  Most of our students have jobs as pastors, teachers, lawyers, or in medicine. Only a small number of our students are currently without work.  About 30% express serious interest in continuing their education in Bible and theology if possible. The majority are primarily interested in increasing their knowledge of the Bible or becoming better prepared to teach and lead in their churches, without changing their “occupation.”

Although we are openly an “Independent Christian Church” school, SBC tries to foster a spirit of interdenominational dialogue by accepting students from a wide range of evangelical traditions. Represented traditions currently include: Independent Christian Churches, Southern Baptist, Independent Free-Will Baptist, 7th Day Adventist, and Pentecostal/Holiness Churches. The fruits of this have already become visible, as we see students begin to unify themselves around the Bible. They regard one another as brothers and co-workers in Christ and generally find more in common than not. We believe this is consistent with the history of our tradition, and most importantly consistent with the command of Christ to be unified.

What We Do:

Currently, Kyle teaches two classes at Sonlight Academy (9th Grade Health and 11th Grade American Literature) and three Bible College Classes (Old Testament Prophets, Old Testament Writings, and Theological English).  This keeps him extremely busy, but it is certainly work that he enjoys.

Lorraine is currently teaching a little more than half of the day to make sure that she has plenty of time with her son, Micah.  When, Mme. Kyle is teaching she teaches half the day in Second Grade and she teaches one 9th Grade Grammar class.  She loves teaching, but also loves being home spending time with her love and joy, little Micah.

For more information about Sonlight Ministries visit their webpage www.sonlightministries.org.