Editor’s Note: Pastor Elie Henry, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America, along with his adult daughter Irma, were released and unharmed on Dec. 28, 2020, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Pastor Henry and Irma went missing on the evening of Dec. 24, 2020. Below is President of the global Adventist Church Ted N.C. Wilson’s statement regarding Henry’s release.  

It is with grateful hearts to God that we rejoice with the Henry family upon hearing the marvelous news shared by the Inter-American Division that Elie Henry, president of that division, and his adult daughter, Irma, were released on Monday from a kidnapping in Haiti. This is a tribute to all who were praying and working for this very positive outcome. Praise be to God who has heard our prayers. We have been very concerned about this situation since the abduction took place on Thursday night, so this news of the release is a marvelous blessing from God!!

We have learned much about the effectiveness of prayer through this difficult experience and I wish to thank all those who prayed for this critical situation. What a wonderful God we serve! We have also learned that it is much better to pray more and not circulate speculative information on social media about delicate matters such as this which could potentially put at greater risk those whose lives are at stake. Thank you for praying more in critical situations. 

As we know from Bible prophecies recorded in the books of Daniel and Revelation, the words of Christ recorded in Matthew 24, and the detailed descriptions of earth’s final days as outlined in the book The Great Controversy, we will face many difficult challenges in the future. Nevertheless, we are given the beautiful assurance that “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” As we continue to move forward, let us lean on the Lord completely! Continue to pray for the Henry family as we rejoice together about God’s wonderful providence. Praise His name! Jesus is coming soon!”