MEET THE TEAM | Haitian Christian Mission

Founders and Executive Leadership

Dr. Etienne Prophete

Founder

12.26.1939 - 2.5.2021

Etienne and Betty founded HCM in 1974 beginning with a humble front porch Bible study. From the beginning, he focused on five areas of ministry: evangelism, education, healthcare, book translation and nutrition. During his 37 years as executive director, the mission expanded tremendously and Etienne and the people he brought up as leaders touched many lives in many different ways for the good of Christ’s kingdom. He passed the leadership role onto his son Edwens in July 2011.

Betty Prophete

Founder/Haiti Adviser

For 40 years and counting, Betty has worked hard to spread God’s love through HCM. She is constantly coordinating projects, making preparations for visiting teams and events, addressing whatever problems arise, managing a host of HCM employees, and smiling all the while. While she loves being with her children and grandchildren in Florida and elsewhere, she spends most of her time in Haiti ready to meet any need that may arise.

Edwens Prophete

Chief Executive Officer

Edwens joined the HCM team as a volunteer in 2010 after he saw his native country in an unimaginable state. His role was to manage the logistics of HCM’s daily operations and projects. During that time, he was pursuing his MBA at Palm Beach Atlantic University along with doing small business consulting in Florida. Today he is on a new path as the CEO of HCM. His vision is to build better communities through the efforts of HCM and those serving in Haiti.

Jonas Dorlus

Director of Evangelism and Haiti Operations

Dorlus graduated from WISE (Windward Islands School of Evangelism) on the island of St. Vincent with a degree in theology and from HCM’s Superior Institute of Translation and Interpretation in Port-au-Prince. He also has a diploma in education sciences and has his master’s in education through Indiana Wesleyan University. He oversees HCM’s fifty-seven churches, compiles church reports, plans pastor training seminars, and is involved with many aspects of administration at the HCM campus. He is married and has two daughters.

Board Members

Samuel Prophete

Board Chairman

Samuel Prophete, born and raised in HCM ministry, is the son of Pastor Thomas V. Prophete who is one of the pioneers of the HCM. Samuel is a biomedical engineer, a scientist, and a writer. He is also the CEO and founder of Pathos Reading whose mission is to help Haitian children have access to books, both at home and at school, that foster a love for science and reading. Samuel is the product of the good work that HCM has been doing in Haiti and consequently wants to serve on the board of directors to help ensure the strategic guidance and oversight of HCM according to its purpose.

Mike Harenza

Vice Chairman

Mike is from Olathe, KS and is currently the Director of Surgical Development at the Research Medical Center. He is also the part-time Minister at Merwin Christian Church. Mike has his Bachelor of Biblical Literature from Ozark Christian College as well as 20 hours of masters work at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. Mike has two kids, Regan and Madi. Regan is an RN at KU Medical Center Emergency Development and Madi is a student at Emporia State University. Mike has a lot of experience with youth and preaching ministries. He also served on two surgical mission teams to HCM and the Higgins Brothers Surgicenter for Hope.

Melia Douglass

Treasurer

Melia became familiar with HCM in the summer of 2018 when she was asked to join the staff to help with fundraising and stateside operations. In 2023, Melia transitioned from being a paid staff member to a volunteer board of director position, where she is honored to continue serving the people of Haiti. She brings to the HCM board 25 years of fundraising experience in the areas of annual and capital campaigns, major gift planning, planned giving, and grant writing. She finds great satisfaction in connecting people who want to help with a cause that needs their help. Melia is a Northwest Missouri native and an alumna of the University of Missouri's Trulaske School of Business. Now living in Moberly, Missouri, Melia enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two sons, serving at Timberlake Christian Church, and traveling to fun destinations.

Kathy Anderson

Secretary

Kathy Anderson and her husband, Lee, have lived and worked in Los Alamos, NM for over 30 years. Kathy is a retired speech therapist and Lee is a retired engineer. They have one son, Evan, who also lives in Los Alamos and is employed as an engineer. As a family, they enjoy the beautiful outdoors: hiking, biking, skiing and camping. Kathy is a member of the Los Alamos Christian Church which has been a supporter of Haitian Christian Mission for over 40 years. Kathy first became involved with HCM by agreeing to sponsor one child subsequent to a visit to her church by Etienne Prophete. Her involvement with HCM has grown over the years and she has made many trips to Haiti. She has a heart for Haiti and the Haitian people. Kathy has a passion for education and hopes to lend her expertise in that area to the board of HCM.

John Cowart

Pastor John Cowart currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Abiding Faith Christian Church in Gainesville, FL. He has led that congregation for 32 years. Prior to taking on the full-time responsibilities as Pastor, he served at Santa Fe College as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs; he was involved with many other groups at Santa Fe as well. Pastor Cowart earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism/Public Relations and a Master’s Degree of Arts in Speech, both from the University of Florida. He has distinguished himself in a number of civic roles and has been the recipient of the Carnegie Graduate Fellowship, The W.K. Kellogg Fellows and other service awards. Pastor Cowart has traveled through the United States, Jamaica, Island of Dominica, Virgin Islands, East and West Africa, and Haiti as a missionary. Pastor Cowart and his wife, Jannette have been married for 34 years and have three children: John II, Jalanna, and Jabrianna. In his role as a husband and father, he strives to always give his best and model the behavior of a good citizen. Pastor Cowart hopes to be of service and become a resourceful person to the community as a board member.

Mike Waldrop

Pastor Mike Waldrop currently serves as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, SD. He has been in that capacity for four years. Mike also served as a part-time youth pastor for 12 years. Until entering the ministry full time, Mike spent 20 years in the Fifth Judicial Circuit as a Court Services Officer. Mike graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Northern State University and is in his final semester of his Masters of Divinity studies through Sioux Falls Seminary. Mike’s first exposure to HCM came in 2016 on a mission trip he co-led with Jamie Kenny. Jamie had been on several mission trips prior with a medical team. Mike was heartbroken for and inspired by the Haitian people, especially the HCM staff. Pastor Mike and his wife, Mikelle have been married for 23 years and have three children: Tatum, Lainy, and Brenner. Mike’s life goal is to be a man that God can trust and use to bring Him Glory by advancing His kingdom!

Steve Hanson

Steve’s first-hand look at the work of Haitian Christian Mission came in the spring of 2015. Steve and his Pastor, Doug were challenged by Pastor Etienne to visit HCM since their church in Los Alamos, NM had been supporting the mission since 1974—when HCM began. Previous to their visit, there was no record of anyone from the Christian Church of Los Alamos visiting Haiti. Steve is a Chemical Engineer and looks forward to engaging in areas where water, sanitation, and sustainable agriculture. He looks forward to any and all opportunities that create an opportunity to share the Lord Jesus through the HCM vision.