THE GREAT GATHERING: HCM ANNUAL CONVENTION

This month, I have the joy of sharing with you that after nearly six years, HCM was able to relaunch our convention, with a new name, The Great Gathering: The Annual HCM Convention. For many of you, those words carry special meaning. Some of you have attended this convention in years past. You've worshiped alongside our pastors, shared meals with church leaders, and experienced firsthand the joy of seeing believers from across Haiti gathered together in one place.

For the past six years, that simply wasn't possible. Political unrest and violence forced us to pause one of the most meaningful traditions of our ministry. While our churches continued serving faithfully, our pastors and church leaders could no longer gather for encouragement, training, and fellowship.

But this year, they came back together. For eight days, our Fonds Parisien campus came alive again. The convention itself lasted four days, with several days of activities leading up to it. Centered on the theme, "Get Ready to Meet Your God" (Amos 4:12), more than 300 believers from six HCM churches gathered to worship, pray, study God's Word, receive leadership training, participate in medical workshops, and enjoy fellowship together.

Many stayed on the HCM campus where all meals and lodging were provided, allowing everyone to spend four days in a safe place simply enjoying being together again. One leader shared that the convention "brought new energy to the people." After years of uncertainty and isolation, it gave pastors and church members something they had been missing for a long time: hope.

Sunday became the largest day of the convention. As people from nearby communities joined the worship service, nearly 600 people filled the campus. When we asked our team what it sounded like to hear six churches worship together again, they smiled and said, "It sounded like a big choir singing to the glory of their Lord and Savior." It was an unforgettable moment.

Following the service, more than 100 pastors, deacons, worship leaders, and church leaders shared a special fellowship meal. They celebrated victories, prayed together, and encouraged one another through the challenges they face, as many musicians, teachers, worship leaders, and preachers have left their communities in search of safety or work. After six years apart, this time together was priceless.

One story especially touched our hearts. The church from Megrette, one of our most remote communities, wasn't even expected to attend. Communication is difficult, and their pastor has serious vision problems. Yet somehow the invitation reached them. They walked several miles before finding motorcycles to take them to the HCM campus and after all that effort, they were the first church to arrive. When we asked why attending mattered so much, they simply said they wanted to remain connected to the mission and continue growing together. Their commitment reminded all of us that fellowship is worth the journey.

This year's convention also carried moments of reflection. For the first time, we gathered without Dr. Etienne Prophete, who faithfully preached and taught during so many previous conventions. His absence was deeply felt, but his legacy continues through the ministry he helped build.

As I reflect on this convention, I keep thinking about you. For six difficult years, you continued to pray. You continued to give. You continued believing in this ministry, even when you couldn't visit Haiti yourself. Because of your faithfulness, our pastors were encouraged, our churches gathered once again, our leaders were strengthened, and the Gospel continues moving forward.

Although you couldn't physically be there this year, please know this: You were part of every prayer prayed, every meal served, every worship song sung, and every life encouraged. From all of us at Haitian Christian Mission, thank you for helping make this joyful return possible.