Texas Baptists partners with FBC Nederland to host opportunities to watch World Cup games in Haiti

This summer, Haiti has qualified to compete in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974. First Baptist Church Nederland has partnered with First Baptist Church Damien in Haiti, to sponsor watch parties for the three Haitian matches, on June 13, 19 and 24.

Alison Howell, president of Promised Ministries, women’s ministry leader at FBC Nederland and Executive Board member, said she learned about Texas Baptists’ “Sharing Christ at the Cup” initiative through Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri’s weekly newsletter. She also found out about Haiti’s World Cup qualification and she reached out to Texas Baptists about how FBC Nederland could partner with FBC Damien to make the watch parties possible. 

“I reached out to [the student pastor] at First Baptist [Damien], and he said, ‘We're not going to be able to watch the World Cup because we don't have electricity.’ The electricity is provided by the government in Haiti, but it's unreliable… It's on a rolling blackout. You never know when it's not going to be available,” explained Howell. “Then, I saw Dr. Guarneri’s newsletter and thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I wonder if we could partner to make it where they could watch it?’”

Howell said Noe Treviño, Texas Baptists Mission Strong team lead, was able to provide a matching grant for FBC Nederland’s donation of $1,000, which allowed FBC Damien to purchase supplies, such as streaming equipment and refreshments, for the watch parties. 

“Noe was able to find a matching grant for us and got it over there really quickly. It was such a blessing,” said Howell. “[FBC Damien] purchased a big screen and fuel for their generator, as well as refreshments. They got to get sodas, which is kind of a luxury [for Haitians], and, they also got little souvenir Haitian flags that they were able to hand out.”

Howell said soccer is a passion that unifies Haitians together, making the watch parties a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for outreach in the community. 

“Soccer is a huge deal in Haiti. It's just very important to the culture and to families… It is something that is unifying for a country that is in many ways divided,” said Howell. “People who may never consider interacting with church leaders from First Baptist Damien [or] participating in something sponsored by the church, are excited about the World Cup. It gives our brothers and sisters there in Haiti an opportunity to meet people in the village where they are.”

Howell said FBC Damien saw 200 total attendees at the three watch parties.  

Promised Ministries is a non-profit organization founded by Howell in 2020. The ministry supports ongoing mission efforts in Haiti of the International Mission Board (IMB) and Illinois Baptist Association, through education, mission projects and grants. FBC Nederland is a Promised Ministries community partner. 

Learn more about how your church can get involved and sign up to join outreach activities happening during the FIFA World Cup games at txb.org/events/sharing-christ-at-the-cup.