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SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

EFFORT VISION Haiti Outreach

Foundation for Spiritual & Economic Development Expanding the Body of Christ Biblical Principles in Finances & Tithing Nurturing & Discipling Believers Program of Revolving Loans
Effort Vision is a 501c3 non-profit organization that combines individual stewardship with self-help which effectively promotes true indigenous outreach and ministry. It is when the poor give with the intension of being a blessing to someone else that their own poverty is broken.

Pastor Emmanus Charles

EFFORT FOR CHRIST CHURCH

Beginning

Effort Vision was founded in 2007 by Pastor Emmanus Charles and John and Dawn Ashford following a nine year association. It was during those nine years that it became evident to John and Dawn that Pastor Emmanus and Effort Church were determined to teach and disciple the people in the area. Effort Vision was formed as a program to enable and equip individuals and families to provide for themselves. The focus is both spirititual and economic through a revolving, interest free program which funds small, individual business projects. The vision extends to development of a formal discipleship training school program which is Christian based and is designed to include some limited occupational training.

Loan Program

Effort Vision Loan Program is a Revolving, interest free loan program which funds small, individual, business projects. Recipients must be endorsed by their Pastor, willing to be held accountable by the Loan Program committee and present a business plan to be reviewed by the committee. To facilitate their vision of building and nurturing the Body of Christ we have come alongside as a resource for them. Early in our relationship with Emmanus, the Lord showed us clearly that just as Aaron and Hur were to come alongside of Moses during the battle of the Amalekites, that he was placing us alongside a Godly leader that had been faithful in raising his arms while the battle raged. It is our desire to provide both spiritual and economic support in such a way as to allow the Body of Christ to become fully dependent upon the arm of the Lord.


WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN WITH US AS WE COME ALONG SIDE THE HAITIAN BRETHREN AND HELP KEEP THEIR HANDS LIFTED UNTO THE LORD.

Emmanus and Effort Church

Emmanus

As a young boy, Emmanus grew up on the streets. His mother died when he was just a baby and when his father took another woman she apparently was overwhelmed in having to feed him and all his siblings when there was not enough food to go around. Eventually, his dad drove him away with his machete and he was left at the age of 7 to live off of the streets. When he was 8 or 9 he was taken in by the founders of Mission Possible and sent to school. It was there he learned English and began to have opportunities to translate. When we(John & Dawn) met Emmanus he was 28, married to Edna and between the 2 of them had 3 children. His heart even then was to minister and feed the people both physically and spiritually. It was at this time that the foundation of the Effort Church was being laid.

Effort Church

Beginning from a group called Effort group – Effort Church was started. Effort group came about when people in the area that Emmanus lives felt the need to come together for prayer two mornings a week at 4:30 AM. A simple lantern would be the only light that would be present and when the voices of singing would multiply that would be the only sign to know the group was continuing to grow. It was during those mornings that the Lord began to lay a call upon Emmanus' heart. As these gatherings continued, one by one, others joined them that were hungry for what the Lord had for them. It was soon apparent that these new believers needed a home church that would disciple and nurture them. The Lord impressed upon them that in order to grow stronger in their walk with the Lord it was going to take effort – thus – the name Effort Group.
If you were to ask Emmanus if he had planned on becoming a Pastor he would tell you "no". In fact when Pastor Antione ( an elderly Haitian Pastor that is now with the Lord) came alongside Emmanus to encourage Emmanus to rise to this call - Emmanus shrank from it. However, Pastor Antoine laid a heavy charge on Emmanus saying, "If you don't answer the call, you will have the Lord to answer too". It was with encouragement and mentoring from Pastor Antoine, that Emmanus responded to the call to feed and nurture for the new believers in the Lord. Thus the EFFORT FOR CHRIST - Church of God was born in January 1999

Ministries in the CHurch

  • Academic School
    It costs money to go to school and every day Pastor Emmanus saw many children not being taught because there were no funds. His heart went out to them and he felt Effort Church could be part of the solution. With teachers in the area that were willing to teach without the promise of a deserved check, a non-tuition school was started with the younger grades. Funds are budgeted to help contribute towards the salaries of the teachers but our desire is that one day they will receive regular paychecks for their labor. Through this ministry the children also receive a hot meal for lunch. Be a part of the solution – Pray for Effort Church and School – Contribute funds so they can see the completion of their Church – AND – Effort School providing what is needed for both students and teachers.
    Medical ministry
    Loumene is active in the Effort Church in many ways and is most often seen as praise and worship leader. However, she is also a nurse and the Lord has moved upon her to reach out to the elderly in the community. She ministers to their physical bodies and also shares the Word and the love of the Lord with them. Loumene shared, “Greet you all in the name of Jesus, I’m so happy to explain to you a little about the program. Especially for those who put their hand to help the widows…I really thank the Lord because He puts you in my way to touch the dream that I have.” “When they are sick or they have a problem or if they die, it comes to me…even myself can’t load all of this problem on my shoulder. But it is always my obligation to do my best to help. And I always put myself available to help the way that I can. Sometime when you do that, you would like to do something but you can’t find any help." Because of your giving we are able to provide a modest monthly budget for her to use towards medicine, food and other needs as they arise.
    Breadfruit program
    Breadfruit grows right in Haiti. The fruit can be dried and made into flour for bread and porridge. It is a good source of protein and nutrients. One of the best and most important uses for breadfruit is feeding school children. Feeding their tummies makes it easier to feed their minds. Along with selling the flour locally to schools and stores, the Breadfruit Ministry also takes part in feeding the children in the academic school. Through it's earnings it also helps to support the school along with providing Haitian industry and also paying back into the loan program. All the while demonstrating the Body of Christ in action. James Pierre Charles oversees the management of the program. When the fruit ripens it is quite a process of gathering, cleaning, cutting, shredding and then drying the breadfruit. The drying process is accomplished through the solar dryer that is on site. Once dried, it is ground into flour and then packaged for sale or delivery. TTFF (Trees that Feed Foundation) plays an active role in promoting and subsidizing the flour and Effort Vision has been tremendously blessed by their participation. Pray with us that this program is able to expand with even more customers within the country of Haiti.
  • Women's Ministry
    Pastor Emmanus has been blessed by the involvement of his wife, Edna. She could easily be described as a Proverbs 31 wife. She often can be found working from sun up to sun down and then make her way to a lengthy prayer meeting. It has been a special blessing to see how she has been used in encouraging the women of the Effort Church. They put their hands to many things both in the church but also in the community. Pastor Emmanus has given them the responsibility of the first Sunday of the month and they take this task very seriously. They meet on a regular basis, asking the Lord for instructions in their next task. And also preparing for their participation in the chorale group. Life is not easy in Haiti and this is especially so for many of the women. Pray for these women as they continue to encourage others in the Lord and demonstrate that the "joy of the Lord is their strength".
    outreach Ministry
    The leadership in the Effort Church takes very seriously their responsibility to be light and salt in their community. This outreach appears in many sizes and shapes. When covid hit, fear caused many to not even come down to the markets for food. In response, several from the church, gathered what food products they could and made the journey to reach as many as they could. It was because of your financial gifts that resources were able to be provided for them and also that they could utilize the breadfruit flour for those in need. They traveled as far as they could with the truck and then the rest of the journey on foot. Most recently, they were able to travel into the Les Caye area (which was hit with the earthquake) and provide food and resources and hope for the people. Effort Church along with Pastor Emmanus are called upon for assistance in the community on a regular basis. His door is aways open
    SPIRITUAL FORMATION
    Pastor Emmanus wears many hats and he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty or go without eating so someone else can eat. However, his heart is for people to give their lives to Jesus Christ and see the Kingdom of God grow strong in Haiti. He looks for every opportunity to encourage spiritual growth and a hunger for the Word. Through the years he has been able to have a number of the young men and women participate in Bible training and education. It's not uncommon for him to get requests from other churches to provide speakers that will share the Word of God with their people. We are thankful that his son-in-law, James Pierre Charles, works closely beside him as asst. Pastor, along with a dedicated group of elders. It has been a dream of Pastor Emmanus to combine discipleship training with trade school training so that both spiritual and physical provision are available. It is the prayer of Effort Vision to still see this fulfilled. There have been a number of obstacles over the last couple of years that have kept this from taking place. Please pray with us as plans continue to go forward in this pursuit.
Seeking first the Kingdom of God
100% of ALL funds go directly to the work for Haiti. Checks may be made out to: Effort Vision Inc.
Contact
989-724-6002
Address Effort vision
PO Box 225 Harrisville, MI 48740
www.effortvision-haiti.com