Even Greater
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Love Haiti's Children
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The Vision
The VisionIn 2005, when asked if he were to start an orphanage anywhere in the world where would he go, Bishop Jim McIver stated without hesitation – Haiti. Thoughts of Haiti would not leave him, and in 2006, Bishop and a team from Overflowing Life Christian Center went to Haiti for the first time and visited an orphanage in the Port-au-Prince area. When he returned, Bishop McIver could not shake the images of the abject poverty he had seen there, and especially how it impacted the children. One day shortly after his return, he pulled up in front of his home and was overwhelmed by what he saw as he thought about the children in Haiti living in poverty. Why did he live in such comfort, when so many children were living in the streets of Port-au-Prince? As he sat and wept for the children, he knew in his heart that one day he would return to Haiti and use every available resource to help the little ones of that nation. Bishop'’s love for Haiti began to spread to the rest of his family and congregation, and soon others began to make trips there as well. Between 2006 and 2009, other members of his family and church were to visit Haiti and be impacted in the same way. How can we help the children of Haiti? After the earthquake on January 12, 2010, Bishop and Pastor Mary announced the following Sunday to the congregation of Overflowing Life their intentions to start a ministry to help Haitian orphans who were devastated by the tragedy. That Sunday was a church service like no other, as tears flowed for the nation of Haiti and congregants gave and pledged money and a willingness to help. Soon a team was formed to work along with Bishop and Pastor Mary to move the project forward. All we needed was a name for the ministry. It came to Bishop one day clearly as he thought about what every child needs the most –~ love. From that moment on, our mission and name became the same ~– Love Haiti’'s Children. Love Haiti’'s Children ministry quickly took on a life of its own. After an outpouring of support immediately following the earthquake in January 2010, our focus was to begin the process of locating available property in Haiti to start our mission. Our goal was to purchase a building, renovate a building or purchase land and erect a building. During our search for a property, we were pleasantly surprised as we were asked for help by a group who already had an orphanage in Haiti up and running. Four members of our team took a trip to Haiti in early April 2010 to witness firsthand the effects of the horrific earthquake on the nation of Haiti and its children. Words cannot describe the impact of seeing personally the destruction caused by the earthquake. You may read about it and view media footage, but it is entirely different to experience it for yourself. As we drove through Port-au-Prince, we saw a toddler with no clothes on, running through the rubble that was once someone’'s home and children begging for food and money. These scenes only fueled our passion to make a difference for the children of Haiti.Presently, we have acquired a property in the Butte Boyer neighborhood of the La Plaine area of Port-au-Prince. Love Haiti's Children's Home opens its doors on September 23, 2011. Love Haiti’'s Children will lead missions teams into Haiti to these children starting Spetember 27th! Please inquire about being a part of a short term missions team or helping financially. We provide lots of love, clothing, shoes, educational material and help develop skills to prepare the children for life after being an orphan.Love Haiti’'s Children is supported by the generous gifts of individuals, Churches, Ministries, corporations and small businesses. Financial support for LHC will also be raised through the efforts of host Churches and Ministries who have partnered with us. Ministering to orphans and children in Haiti is huge, rewarding, and requires the love and support of each of us. Won'’t you please take a moment and pray and ask the Lord what He would have you to do? Please don’t wait. The orphans and children of Haiti need your help now. Thanks, Bishop Jim & Pastor Mary McIver
Our Team
Bishop Jim and Pastor Mary McIver are the founders and co-pastors of Overflowing Life Christian Center (OLCC) in Allentown, PA. From it's inception, Bishop and Pastor Mary have placed a strong emphasis on families, children and missions at OLCC. On a weekly basis the church provides programs and activities for the children and youth in the church and community. From karate, to dance, to youth meetings and community coffeehouses, there are an abundance of opportunities for youth to come and have fun in a safe and nurturing environment. Pastor Mary is the director of the church's daycare ministry, His Kids Daycare/Preschool. Everyday children from the inner city of Allentown experience the love of Christ through Pastor Mary and her wonderful and dedicated staff. Her love for the children at His Kids is so genuine that many of them now call her "Mimi" and look forward to visits to her office for hugs and a treat. For years Bishop has had a heart for the Carribbean and has done extensive work on the island of Jamaica. In 2005, his heart turned toward Haiti and he began to make connections with an orphanage ministry there. His first visit to Haiti would touch his heart so deeply that the images of the children would not leave him. Over the next few years he and Pastor Mary continued to support missions in Haiti, as God began to talk to them about starting an orphanage ministry there through OLCC. When the earthquake of January 2010 hit the island, Bishop McIver knew he had to move forward in helping the children of Haiti with no time to waste. The Sunday after the earthquake was a phenomonal service, as Bishop and Pastor announced to OLCC their plans for the orphanage ministry. Tears flowed as members gave and pledged thousands of dollars and a willingness to go to Haiti and work with them in this new endeavor. From this service, Love Haiti's Children Orphanage was born. Bishop and Pastor Mary will continue to use every available rescource to reach out to the children of Haiti with the love every child deserves. They have formed a team of people to help head up the orphanage ministry and keep the vision moving forward. Bishop and Pastor Mary are blessed with five children and eleven grandchildren. The newest additions to their grandchildren arrived to Pat and Debbie Beck's family from Haiti in February 2010 following the earthquake. As with all of their "grands", Bishop and Pastor Mary are enjoying pouring out their love and affection to these 3 little girls who are now blessed to be with their forever family. It stirs their hearts even more to reach the precious children who are still on the island of Haiti in need of love and a place to call home. For more information about Bishop Jim and Pastor Mary McIver, or to learn more about Overflowing Life Christian Center, visit them on the web at overflowinglifechristiancenter.com
John and Perla Sweeney are a dynamic missionary couple with a passion for people around the world to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Today they experience the blessings of a sweet marriage, obedient children, a prosperous business, and the privilege of serving the orphans of Haiti on the mission field. They are slated to be the houseparents at Love Haiti's Children Orphanage.John has served as an evangelist, lay pastor, worship leader and choir director. He has preached and witnessed on the streets in various U.S. cities, including New York City, preached in prisons, and taught evangelism and discipleship courses. John is fluent in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole and has taught Spanish at the elementary level in the United States, as well as served as an elementary school chaplain. John is known as an anointed teacher and preacher, and has shared the Word internationally, having ministered in the United States, Mexico, Paraguay and Jamaica. He is an ordained Elder with Overflowing Life Christian Center and Revival Fires Fellowship International, under the leadership and vision of Bishop James E McIver & Pastor Mary McIver in Allentown, PA.Perla has extensive experience with children, having worked as a nanny for more than 20 years in Paraguay and the United States. Perla is also a licensed minister with Overflowing Life Christian Center and Revival Fires Fellowship International. Perla in known for her servant's heart. She has headed up hospitality ministries, as well as nurseries and various other children's ministries. She, like her husband, has preached in prisons and evangelized on city streets around the world. They are currently serving the orphans of Haiti with their children, Cecilia (17) and Elijah (9), who are both fluent in Haitian Creole.Professional LifeThe Sweeneys have owned and operated a successful residential maid service and janitorial company since 1999.For more about John and Perla, visit their site at www.johnandperla.com
Laurel Bergstresser is a Bachelor's-prepared registered nurse who is currently employed by a Pennsylvania health network in the role of Case Manager. She recently transitioned her career after serving in management for 5 years, so she could be more available for ministry. Previously, she was a Residency Practice Director, in which she oversaw all clinical and business operations of a large internal medicine and multi-specialty practice. She is LHC’s Resource Coordinator. She coordinates all missions teams (medical and ministry) and collaborates with our missionaries to obtain necessary supplies and food. Laurel is an ordained Elder, under the leadership of her pastor, Bishop Jim McIver, Sr.. She is submitted to her Bishop and co-pastor, Pastor Mary McIver, and actively serves her home church Overflowing Life Christian Center, in numerous areas of ministry and administrative support.Laurel has worked in various roles on short-term mission trips to many countries, including Mexico, Cambodia, China, Jamaica and Haiti. Laurel has years of experience doing street evangelism in the US. She also volunteered, while in college, doing demolition work after a natural disaster in TX and building a house with Habitat for Humanity. Though she has no children of her own, yet, she has been adopted as "Aunt Laurel" by many of the children from her church, OLCC. Laurel has over 15 years experience working with children, including ministry. She has led children's church, taught Sunday school, taught drama and music workshops for children, written and directed children's skits and plays and acted in plays and skits for an audience of children. She volunteered for 2 years as a Girl Scouts group leader, for two groups of inner-city, impoverished girls. Laurel's favorite role in children's and youth ministry is in being a Godly example and mentor for young women and girls in the church. She currently leads OLCC’s Outbreak Youth Ministry, reaching youth in grades 6-12.Laurel grew up in a single-parent household, and, while her small family struggled financially, she developed a heart for people whose lives lacked more than money. She has been drawn to people who are unloved and forgotten--by society and by the church. Although she's been to many countries, her first trip to Haiti in 2007 affected her heart in an unexpected way. She fell in love with the people of Haiti, and especially the children--both those in the orphanage she visited and those on the streets. Her heart's desire is to allow God to work through her to meet the needs of the children of Haiti.
You Can Help
How Can I Help?We're so glad you asked! It is through the generous support of people just like you that we will be able to to reach out to the orphaned children of Haiti with the love that every child deserves. One person can't do it all, but everyone can do something. We ask that you would please take a moment to consider supporting this ministry in our endeavor to Love Haiti's Children. Give.The most needed resource as we move forward in the first stages of Love Haiti's Children is financial support. It will take thousands of dollars to renovate the property we secure, and thousands more to secure the proper licenses and then stock the orphanage with the equipment and supplies needed to care for the children on a daily basis. You can be assured that every dollar you donate, whether $5 or $1000, will be put to the best possible use to care for the children of Haiti. Your donation is tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. You can make a secure donation through PayPal by clicking the donate button on the left, or you may send a check made payable to "OLCC" with Love Haiti's Children" on the memo line Overflowing Life Christian Center, 635 West Turner Street, Allentown, PA 18102. Advocate. In January 2010 the eyes of the world rested on the island of Haiti as we all saw the horrific images of the devastating earthquake that left the region of Port-au-Prince in ruins. During the following weeks, many still followed the stories of rescue operations, relief efforts and major shifts in public policy as every effort was made to bring hope to the families and children of Haiti. Although the images are now gone from our television screens, those same children in need are alive and looking for hope in Haiti. Will you help us spread the word about the great needs of the children of Haiti and how others can get involved to help? Here are some ways you can do just that. - Ask the leaders in your church, school or community organization about bringing a representative of Love Haiti's Children in to speak and share the needs of the children of Haiti for a donation or freewill offering. Call our office at (484) 274-6321 and we'll be happy to help!- Share our website on your Facebook page.- Send out an email to your friends and family asking them to visit our site.- Hold a yardsale or lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to Love Haiti's Children.- Ask a business you frequent to sponsor one of our fundraising events. Come. Once the orphanage site is up and running, we will be offering short term missions trips to individuals, churches, schools, and community organizations who desire to come and love the children of Haiti in person. We promise that once you hold one of these precious children in your arms, your life will never be the same. Please continue to visit our website in the coming months and look for more information soon on our short term missions program.
Become a Church Sponsor
Church Sponsorship
You may Copy and Paste this text into a document and insert your ministry name where applicable.To become a sponsor of LHC, please contact our office.FUNDRAISING AGREEMENT Between:Love Haiti’s ChildrenAnd[Ministry’'s Name…] This Fundraising Agreement entered into between the Love Haiti’s Children (LHC) and (Church Name) establishes the terms and conditions for a Fundraising Event by (Church Name) for the sole benefit of Love Haiti’s Children, a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania. FUNDRAISING EVENTThe event functions include planning, coordinating and conducting a fundraiser to aid Love Haiti’s Children in supporting orphaned children at the LHC Orphanage, located in La Plaine, Port-au-Prince, Haiti. OBLIGATION OF LOVE HAITI’S CHILDRENLHC shall have the obligation to do the following:1. Provide the necessary information to conduct the event.2. Provide the necessary promotional material, such as brochures.3. Assist in soliciting participants for the event.4. Provide the speaker for the event.5. Ensure all funds are used for the intended purpose. OBLIGATION OF (Church Name)(Church Name) shall have the obligation to do the following:1. Designate members and or employees to coordinate and actively promote the event.2. Distribute brochures and all other necessary material to the participants and keep them informed as to the event date and activities.3. Host the fundraising event.4. Comply with all state and federal laws applicable to fundraising.5. Ensure that sufficient information is available to provide tax receipts to contributors as required. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDSAll funds raised will be distributed to Love Haiti’s Children at the conclusion of the event. Funds may be presented by check(s). I AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS FUNDRAISING AGREEMENT.Signature: __________________________________________________________Name: _____________________________________________________________Date: __________________Name of Business or Organization: _______________________________________Business Address: ____________________________________________________Contact Phone Number:_________________________________________________
Contact Us
Love Haiti's Children Orphanage
is located in LaPlaine, Haiti
Contact InformationLove Haiti's ChildrenPO Box 8773Allentown, PA 18105631 West Turner StreetAllentown, PA 18102For information on sponsorship, call:Office: 484.274.6321Cell: 484.226.9087 Email: love_lovehaitischildren.comOur Links:OLCC
Love Haiti's Children
The Vision
You Can Help
Contact Us
Our Team
