Where there is no Vision, the People Perish. — Proverbs 29:18
It takes leadership skills to lead a ministry. Even though the Bible speaks to it, putting leadership skills into practice can be difficult. It goes without saying that in leading a ministry, there are mountain tops and valleys to maneuver through. However, leading a ministry in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than half of its population living below the World Bank’s poverty line, requires commitment and leadership at a new level. Throw into the mix a pandemic, the instability of a country, significant security issues, and you have a recipe for stretching your faith.
Eight months ago, Trey heard the calling and began serving as the Executive Director at GLA. It was a difficult decision since his background had been serving as a student pastor and missions pastor for the last eight years. This new journey required not only a stretch of his faith but a leap of faith and required a further aspect of Trey’s leadership skills. Trey is quick to point out; however, when God calls you to a position, it is best to follow as He leads.
Servant leadership is what Jesus demonstrated, and Trey follows that same model. As we enter the second half of the year, we wanted to share what the GLA team has tackled in the last eight months and give a “status” report to our family and supporters.
Our ministry is to show the love of Christ to those who need Him most. First and foremost, we share the love of Christ day in and day out, that is our highest calling. In addition to the love we share, we have implemented some great things for the GLA kids:
Macrame Club
English Club
Off-site field trips
Curriculum development
Sow-a-Seed Project
1 Adoption Completed
What coincides with always improving the educational experience is also improving the facilities. In a country where getting supplies is difficult, we have made great strides in the development of the GLA property:
Completed the remodel of kids’ village bathrooms
New Laundry area
Completed install of new septic system
Solar power campus (almost entirely)
Maintenance schedule implemented following clean-up of the property
In the background of the GLA ministry, we have a team of staff and volunteers that keep the ministry on track. Some of the things that have been accomplished this year are:
Two new hires
Pay raises for long-term employees
Employee appreciation events created
New donor management software implemented; website updated & new branding attributes have been developed.
The board has been working hard too. We have added new board members and recently held a board retreat to set the vision for the future of the GLA ministry. They have been inspired by God’s leading with a sense of urgency and passion to move this ministry forward. It is challenging to say the least rebounding from the pandemic, managing the security issues in Haiti, and the lack of economic resources. Now with inflation continually on the rise, new hurdles have arisen.
Despite these circumstances, as we look back over the first half of 2022, we see God is at work time and time again. We are blessed to have leadership that loves the Lord, serves Him, and brings dedication and energy to a calling that few would heed.
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