What began with a prayer and Bible study group under a large mango tree is now a comprehensive Christian center offering Christ to the unsaved, education and good health for children and hope for the community. Read on to learn more about the history of this church and center.

The Beginning Manno & Prisca Laguerre Pillatre Christian Center & School
Haitian Christian Ministries The Church

The Beginning

Pillatre Christian Center began as a burden on the heart of Emmanuel (Manno) Laguerre in the community of Cap Haitien, Haiti. His goal was to begin Christian Centers in northeastern Haiti to serve the local communities. At each location he planned to begin with prayer and Bible study to reach and disciple a core of committed Christian leaders and then follow with a school, clinic, and eventually assistance for the elderly.

Manno & Prisca Laguerre

In the late 1970's Manno came to attend Johnson Bible College. During his second year at JBC, Manno brought his wife, Prisca, with him. Three children, Patrick, Julie and Judith, were born while he was a student at JBC.

While in the U.S., Manno was able to meet and share his dream with many American Christians through Mama Rose (Rose Johansen, a Christian sister helping Manno through college) and through his new friends at JBC. He invited all of them to come and visit him in Haiti when he returned.

After graduation Manno returned to Haiti to the stick hut church he started several years earlier at Pillatre, a small village south of Cap Haitien. In 1984 land was purchased for the first Christian Center.

Pillatre Christian Center & School

In April of 1986, groups of American friends from Kansas came to Haiti to help dig a well to supply water for the community and build an all-purpose building to hold worship services and church related events. Other individuals from churches in Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Missouri began getting involved and, in 1987, the first floor of the school building was built and a septic system was put in for the bath house.

The second floor of the school was started in 1988 and finished in 1989 and a fountain and wash area was installed for use by the school children. Ground was broken for the medical clinic in 1990. By this time, the school was overflowing with students and a sponsorship program was underway to help subsidize student costs. Now, with over 600 students, each student receives a nutritious meal every school day. The facility employs 19 teachers and staff. The school has been recognized as one of the most outstanding and successful schools in Northern Haiti.

Haitian Christian Mission

Relying on spiritual growth and new life in Christ among members of the community, Pillatre has lessened the chance that the center would be interpreted as a social action program alone. Every step has involved Haitian leaders and workers in addition to American assistance. Pillatre is and will continue to be a Haitian church rather than an American missionary-planted church.

The Church

Spiritual battles are the most important battles the Christian community faces. Manno and leaders of the congregation have had direct confrontations with those under Satanic influences who would destroy the church. But, because of the teaching and prayer life of the congregation, the influence of these evil forces has been reduced in the area.