Ministry Continues in Haiti Despite Rising Gang Violence
Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:1-3
Haiti has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with about 41 murders in 100,000 people. While gang violence is prominent in the country, the recent increased organized gang activity combined with escaped prisoners, all armed with AR-15s and AK-47s, have resulted in complete lawlessness.
The last two flights out of Haiti’s largest airport, the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, carried a team of Calvary Chapel pastors and volunteers who had just spent a week evangelizing that nation’s capital. Shortly after their takeoff, multiple gangs swarmed the airport, shooting at planes with AK-47 rifles, as they took control and closed the airspace over the city.
The team of 15 had come to Cross To Light’s Bible Training Center (BTC) in Port-au-Prince to help provide medical outreach, feeding programs, and evangelism prior to the outbreak of gang violence and prison breaches. The two Calvary Churches were CC Cypress and CC Higher Ground both from Southern California, and the teams were led by Pastors Rex Wolins and Steve Greenberg.
Armed gangs have burned hospitals, killed doctors, pilfered all medical supplies and medicine. One public hospital continues to operate in Port-au-Prince but will soon close due to no electricity, leaving no healthcare options in the city.
Children are the most susceptible to the ongoing violence and poverty. It is estimated that about 30,000 children live in orphanages throughout Haiti.
Food and water are scarce, and Haitians depend on multiple non-governmental and Christian organizations to meet their needs. Cross to Light digs wells, providing clean water, and offers regular feeding programs—all free of charge to the Haitians.
Gangs dominate the capital of Haiti, looting and setting up roadblocks as they savagely control the territory. They have taken over government buildings such as the National Palace, still in ruin after the devastating earthquake of 2010.
Residents risk their lives as they walk out on the streets attempting to find food, water, and other necessities. The limited police force is overwhelmed and offers minimal defense for the citizenry.
Chaos and violence erupted to new heights in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on February 29, 2024, as gangs joined in opposition to the current leadership. A team of Calvary Chapel pastors and volunteers were ministering on the city streets when thousands of prisoners were released by gangs from local prisons.
A map of Cross To Light (CTL) church plants throughout Haiti. CTL, an outreach of Calvary Chapel, has been in operation in Haiti since March 2011 and is on its sixth group in the program.
In the front yard of the Bible Training Center (BTC), many Haitians enjoy a Bible study and worship along with a meal. Gangs have taken over the international port in Port-au-Prince, confiscating all the food and medical supplies for the city, leaving thousands without means of nutrition and medical aid.
Pastor Brian McDaniel (second from left, green shirt) of CTL prays over one of the students to help lead ministry.
“Since we've been in Haiti shortly after the earthquake in 2010, we’ve passed out hundreds of thousands of Bible tracts and thousands of Bibles as we preached the Gospel in our area,” said Calvary Chapel Pastor Brian McDaniel of Cross To Light. Giving God the glory, Brian revealed that although an estimated 85% of the city is in control of gangs, “the last 15% is the area around the Haiti BTC, and they don’t come in our area.” He believes God continues to protect them because the Word of God is being taught and preached continually at the center. “We know the one thing they can’t do, they can’t stand against God’s Word. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert, he answered with, ‘It is written.’”
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4
Miraculously, the BTC continues to operate, and the four young men who live there while studying to serve in the ministry have not missed a class despite the escalating chaos surrounding them. Several months earlier, Brian was offered Internet service through Starlink. “We were able to get that equipment and set it up. Amazingly, all the other Internet companies have been cancelled but we still have good quality Internet,” he declared. Brian was also able to procure some of the last backup batteries in Port-au-Prince for their solar charging system, a vital necessity for the classroom to function when there is no electricity.
And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” Acts 5:38-39
David Ochoa, (right) pastor of CC Frederick, MD, teaches a group of young Haitians enrolled at the BTC.
“Five CC pastors teach every week through the Bible via remote classroom,” Brian explained. When the men complete the three-year training, they will be able to start Bible-teaching churches in villages where voodoo is rampant. Operating in Haiti since March of 2011, the ministry’s core function is to evangelize, make disciples, and plant churches. In Haiti, they bring young men from different provinces, disciple them, and send them back out to teach the Bible to their communities. These are some of the only pastors who teach line upon line, verse upon verse in Haiti.
Cross To Light volunteers distribute clean water to the community. Safe water is a continual scarcity in Haiti. “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." Isaiah 41:17
Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1b
Exuberant praise and worship fills the room as those gathered give glory to their Savior, Jesus Christ.
A triple wedding is celebrated in the church planted in City Soleil, the most dangerous city in Haiti. After learning that the Bible teaches to be married, many Haitians are surprised and now want to join their partner in a relationship that honors God.
While almost every other ministry or organization has left the area, the believers at BTC remain steadfast, unwavering. “We are constantly playing praise and worship music, teaching through the Bible, serving and evangelizing. We constantly cling to the Word. It is the only thing that is able to stand,” Brian affirmed. “The Word of God is our offensive weapon. Satan can’t destroy that.”
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
Please continue to pray for the believers in Haiti, peace and wisdom for leaders, and for the love of Jesus to change hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.
Pastor Brian McDaniel with his wife and children.
Find out more about Cross To Light Ministry here: Cross to Light
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