During the late 1980s, the Haitian diaspora in Massachusetts was witnessing significant growth. The Haitian Protestant community was thriving, exemplified by the First Haitian Baptist Church of Boston, originally known as the French Haitian Baptist Church. Founded in 1969 by Rev. Verdieu Laroche, it led to the establishment of six additional churches across three denominations. The influx of Haitian pastors, both from Haiti and other locations, was also on the rise. By the time the Boston Missionary Baptist Church was entering its second decade, having been founded by Rev. Soliny Vedrine in 1973, it had already made considerable strides. An American pastor introduced Rev. Vedrine to the President of the Baptist General Conference, while another connected him with the Emmanuel Gospel Center. Following the Center’s guidance, Pastor Vedrine compiled a list of Haitian pastors living in Massachusetts and extended invitations to local conferences aimed at urban pastors. It was during this time that Brother Webert Lesperance, a member of the Boston Missionary Baptist Church, brought Pastor Othon Noel to his attention, leading to a subsequent meeting with Pastor Thomas Saint Louis. Eventually, Pastor Vedrine successfully compiled a comprehensive list of pastors. By December 1985, Pastor Vedrine organized a luncheon at the well-known Howard Johnson Hotel in Dorchester, Massachusetts, which attracted forty-six attendees, including pastors, their spouses, and some church leaders. This gathering was followed by a repeat event in December 1986. On February 2, 1987, a small group consisting of six pastors and their wives, as well as two other leaders, convened at Blinstrune’s Old Restaurant on Morrissey Boulevard in Dorchester for a delightful dinner that cost just $3.00 per person. From this meeting, Pastor Vedrine formed a “working core group,” known as the Haitian Committee on Missionary Action. The attendees of that significant meeting included Rev. Soliny Vedrine, Rev. Thomas Saint-Louis, Rev. Tony Kebreau, Rev. Michel Louis, Rev. Rosette Falaise, Emmeline Védrine, and Mrs. Marie Lourdes Noel.
It’s important to note that, in addition to the individuals present at the meeting, the framework was broadened by forming connections and building relationships with other pastors in Haiti and beyond, including Reverends Claude Noel, Brazil Saint Germain, Jules Casseus, and Chavannes Jeune, as well as Revs. Kirchner Firmin and Eden McGuffie.
During the meeting in February 1987, several key points were discussed and set the stage for future actions:
(a) addressing missionary needs both in Haiti and the greater Boston area,
(b) creating a platform for the committee to communicate its decisions to leaders and the public,
(c) outlining the committee’s role within the Haitian Committee on Missionary Action conference,
(d) organizing the committee’s active participation in the inaugural Haitian Missionary Conference.
This conference aimed to boost public awareness regarding both the challenges and opportunities we face. Following this, the “Haitian Committee on Missionary Action” held its inaugural Haitian on March 10, 1987, at the Roxbury Presbyterian Church on Warren Street, featuring Dr. Claude Noel as the keynote speaker. The 1988 conference welcomed Pastor Bresil Saint Germain from Southern Haiti, while in 1989, Pastor Amos Eugene from Northern Haiti led the event, and Pastor Andre Manoli from the Church of God in Haiti took charge in 1990. For nearly a decade, Rev. Soliny Védrine served as the coordinator, collaborating with committee members to move the mission forward. At some point, at Pastor Jean-Valcin’s suggestion, the name of the Haitian Committee on Missionary Action was changed to the Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of New England (Association des Pasteurs Evangelique Haitians de la Nouvelle Angleterre). The organization is built on key beliefs outlined in a constitution that includes: a Statement of Purpose, a Statement of Faith, Ministerial Conduct, Leadership Structure, Admission Application, and the organization of the Haitian Gospel Crusade.
In August 1992, a group of fifteen engaged in a night of prayer from 10 PM to 4 AM, seeking guidance from the Lord for the Crusade. After this night of prayer, Pastor Vedrine organized a meeting with committee members, community pastors, and leaders to discuss the Crusade’s objectives.
On January 24, 1993, seventy-one pastors and leaders representing twenty-one churches convened at the Boston Missionary Baptist Church and enthusiastically pledged their commitment to the Crusade. Subsequently, the First Crusade unfolded at the Strand Theater at 543 Columbia Road, Boston, from July 15 to July 18, running from 6 PM to 9:30 PM. According to Pastor Vedrine, the theater can accommodate at least 1,500 attendees. By 6:30 PM, the venue was brimming, to the extent that 800 people had to turn around and head home. This led to a fellow pastor inviting those who were turned away to Bible study, and with this group, he went on to establish a church that continues to thrive today. Due to the limitations of seating at the Strand Theater, the committee decided to move the Crusade to Franklin Park Zoo from 1994 to 1995, which can hold 5,000 attendees. However, the committee encountered some challenges with the outdoor services at Franklin Park, prompting the 1996 Crusade to shift to Madison Park Gymnasium on New Dudley Street for the next twelve years. The gymnasium, which has a capacity of 3,500, was filled by the final day of the Crusade, which took place on a Sunday at 6 PM. As a result, those arriving at 7:30 PM had to head back home.
After twelve years, attendance at the Crusade began to dwindle, leading to the annual events being hosted in local churches. This included one gathering at the Church of God (Pastor Othon Noel), another in Brockton at Pastor Ogando’s church, and a session at the Missionary Church of the Haitian community in Summerville. Notably, the 2018 Crusade was held in Malden at Pastor Marc Bienestin’s location in Filene’s Basement Hall.
The Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of New England, as it stands today, comprises several key roles: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Advisors, and a Coordinator. The inaugural president, Rev. Thomas Saint Louis, served a three-year term from July 1998 to June 2001. During President Thomas Saint Louis’s leadership, some critics argued that the Crusades had not effectively led enough individuals to conversion. Pastor Vedrine acknowledged this concern but emphasized some important points:
1) Through the Crusades, the Gospel was shared, planting seeds in the hearts of thousands. These seeds will eventually bear fruit when the Holy Spirit touches their lives and guides them toward conversion.
2) It’s common for leaders and members of various churches to feel apprehensive towards one another. Many leaders hesitate to engage in fellowship due to a lack of trust. It took nearly five years for pastors and leaders to build that trust and collaborate effectively. This process began with shared activities—fellowshipping, participating in a Crusade prayer line, joining the crusade choir, and engaging in Crusade fundraising. When they center their focus on Christ’s mission, personal differences fade, and they form strong friendships.
3) Ultimately, the Crusade serves as a powerful witness to the unbelieving world, demonstrating what can be
When we come together with Christ in our hearts.
The following recommendations should be considered for future initiatives:
– Establish a permanent Crusade Planning Committee comprised of pastors and community leaders.
– Create a permanent Crusade Choir featuring members from various churches.
– Form a dedicated fundraising committee.
The Boston Gospel Crusade Committee extends its support to Nassau, Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic and aids in the formation of Crusade committees in Haiti and other countries.
In 1994, Rev. Varnel Antoine connected Pasteur Vedrine with Pastor Exante Cherelus from the Bahamas with Pastor Vedrine. Pastor Cherelus invited Vedrine to visit his ministry and offer encouragement to the Haitian immigrants in the area. Vedrine made visits in September and December of that year. The following two years were spent meeting with church leaders to discuss ways to provide support. The first Haitian International Gospel Crusade was launched in 1996 in the Bahamas and has continued for the past 25 years, alongside a robust medical program that included visiting around 200 individuals over a week while hosting ministry conferences for leaders, pastors, their spouses, and youth. Participants traveled from across the US, Canada, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and France.
Responding to an invitation from Reverend and Mrs. Luc Phanord, missionaries in the Dominican Republic, Rev. Vedrine played a key role in organizing the La Romana Gospel Crusade, which has been successfully running for the past 17 years, sometimes attracting over 5,000 participants. Over the past decade, Tele Louange has helped spread the message, reaching Haitian congregations in approximately 43 countries.
