In a historic ceremony at Shekinah Adventist Church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, seventy-seven deacons and deaconesses from the Central Haiti Conference were recently ordained, marking the first large-scale ordination event of its kind in the region. Hundreds of fellow deaconesses, church members, and Seventh-day Adventist leaders attended the consecration ceremony, which was part of a broader symposium on the role and ministry of deacons and deaconesses.

“This is a momentous occasion,” said Jude Bien-Aimé, ministerial secretary of the Central Haiti Conference. “Although the laying of hands-on deaconesses has been a part of Adventist practice for over a century, it wasn’t until 2024 that we formally adopted this practice in Haiti.” Bien-Aimé explained that while this act has been included in the church manual for years, it took time for leaders in Haiti to fully grasp the significance of ordaining deaconesses in particular.

“The Bible is clear,” Bien-Aimé emphasized. “Just as deacons are consecrated, deaconesses, who work equally hard and perform similar roles, must also be dedicated. Women contribute significantly to the church, preparing Holy Communion and serving in various ministries. If men must be consecrated for these roles, so should women who carry out the same responsibilities.”

In Haiti, the role of deacons and deaconesses is particularly vital, church leaders said. Many church members, especially those in difficult circumstances or with special needs, rely heavily on the church for support, they added. Deacons and deaconesses not only keep the places of worship in order but also safeguard resources and distribute food to those in need.

The ceremony, held on Sep. 29, 2024, was the fifth such event since the Haitian Union Executive Committee approved the practice during its 2023 year-end meetings, explained Jean-Philippe Extrat, executive secretary of the Haitian Union. “Today’s laying on of hands signifies the commitment of these women who have dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and His church,” Extrat said. “Both men and women are called by God for this important work, and I hope this ceremony will inspire more women to deepen their involvement in the church’s mission.”

Hude Charles, a deaconess from Eben-Ezer Adventist Church, expressed her excitement at being part of the ceremony. “I am thrilled to receive this blessing and continue my ministry as a deaconess,” said Charles, who has been serving since 1981. “This is the first time I’ve witnessed such a significant ordination for women like myself. Becoming a deaconess was one of the best decisions of my life.”

Jeanine Extrat, Women’s Ministries director for the Haitian Union, called the event a milestone for the region. “This initiative breaks new ground and sets a precedent that will help normalize the practice of ordaining deaconesses across our churches,” she said. Extrat also praised local leaders for adhering to church guidelines. “We hope this example will be followed by all Adventist churches, recognizing the sacrifices deacons and deaconesses make to serve our communities.”

More ordination ceremonies are planned throughout the conference region. Keven Kelly Pierre, a district pastor, expressed his optimism about this development. “This ceremony is a great beginning,” he said. “Although there’s still some reluctance, I am preparing my district to follow this direction. As a global church, it is important to align with our established guidelines.”

Jean Bernard Banatte, president of the Central Haiti Conference, echoed the importance of this step. “Ordaining deaconesses is not a matter of personal preference, but a directive from the global Adventist Church that we must follow,” he said. “Our goal is for all churches in the conference to adopt this practice.”

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division website.