Church Planting: The First Church in Port-au-Prince

In December of 1984, RoRo and Eline returned to Haiti with a heart to serve. They hoped to come alongside their home church and support its mission. But once they arrived, it became clear that the leadership didn’t share their vision. Although Ro had trained in Bible college and had developed a passion for preaching, his gifts were left on the sidelines.

That season of waiting could have discouraged anyone, but God was already preparing the next step. One day, Ro’s father-in-law pulled him aside. With love and boldness, he spoke words that would ignite the spark Ro had been carrying all along. He reminded Ro of his calling, his training, and his unique gift to preach the Gospel. More than that, he reminded Ro of his belief in him, of what God could do through him. 

Those words gave Ro and Eline the clarity and courage to move forward. They rented a small space in Port-au-Prince and began gathering with five others to study the Bible and pray. There were no chairs available, so everyone brought one from home. The setting was simple—nothing fancy or polished—but it was the beginning of something deeply meaningful.

And God was present.

Within a few months, the little gathering began to grow. It wasn’t just about the preaching–it was about presence. This was more than a church; it was a place where people felt seen, heard, and loved. Ro and Eline had stepped into a deep void in the community–one that had long gone unfilled. The church became a lifeline, especially for the youth who had lacked mentorship, direction, and hope. 

There was not a single home in the area that they had not visited. They walked the streets, knocking on doors, praying with neighbors, listening to needs, and offering the message of Jesus. The vision was clear: to build more than just a gathering–they were building community, belonging, and purpose.

The small group of seven that began in April had grown to over 200 by December. The space couldn’t contain them–people sat outside, leaned through windows, just to hear RoRo preach. Every week, 5-6 new believers were being baptized. Many were young people, and Ro and Eline always reminded them:

You are now an ambassador for Christ.

It was a church unlike anything the neighborhood had known–welcoming new believers, seasoned Christians, and those simply seeking truth. The movement outgrew the space, and eventually, they moved to a second location, where the church remains to this day.

Ro and Eline didn’t set out to build something big; they set out to be faithful. And in doing so, they stepped into the very heartbeat of Haitian Christian Outreach: 

Doing something in Haiti that will last. 

What started as borrowed chairs and seven faithful hearts has become a living testimony to what God can do when His people say yes. Lasting impact isn’t always loud–it’s often built through love, presence, and obedience. That’s what church planting in HCO looked like then, and it’s the legacy that continues today. 

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