About us

At the outset, it worth noting that, in the 1980s, there was no sign of any Haitian church community in Orlando. On the other hand, there were a few Haitians who, from time to time, gathered to pray at the home of Brother Edouarlus Edouard in Altamonte Springs. Over time, these meetings continued in the cafeteria of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mount Olive, where the small group was preparing for worship with foreign brothers and sisters. Through the Sabbaths and regular worship services, these faithful sought, in prayer, to consolidate their faith in Christ and to get closer and closer to the divine plan: to spread the good news around them. It was in this sense that, driven by this ardent desire for growth, they confidently began their proselytism.

 

Indeed, every Sabbath afternoon, visits were made to some compatriots from the neighboring neighborhoods to try to share with them the good news of the Gospel. These efforts, which specifically targeted fellow citizens already brothers in Christ, eventually paid off: the small initial group grew to 30 people who, in 1982, decided to leave mount Olive Adventist Church for the Lutheran Church, King of Kings. It was on these premises, which they rented, that the group held, for the very first time, their first full religious service in French and Creole. However, this experience was short-lived, as the distance between Maitland and Apopka posed a problem for most members of the small religious community. So, as a solution, the group decided to return to the city of Apopka.  There they rented the Nazarene church, Spring Hill, located on Park Avenue.

 

On August 30, 1982, the Southeast Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists granted the community official church recognition by installing Pastor Jean-Claude Brutus. This new church structure took the name of Beracah. And, thanks to Pastor Brutus’ services and his members, the church has attracted almost all Haitian brothers and sisters living in nearby towns. Thus, in November 1982, through the first nominating committee, the church was divided into two branches, one of which now bears the name of Bethel Seventh-day Adventist. And Beracah remained Beracah, still under the leadership of the pastor Jean-Claude Brutus who, in December 1982, led the first crusade.   On that occasion, souls got baptized. Over time, the need for a larger space had become so evident that Beracah was obliged to sublet the premises of another church in Apopka, Nazarenes Roger William. But the goal has always been to allow the community to own its building. Thus, a big fundraising campaign contributed to the realization of this project on January 10, 1987. And God’s exceptional graces continued to pour into Beracah, who in July 2000 gave birth to Beracah 2 and later, in 2008, to Beracah 3, based in Haines City.  Beracah’s large family continues to grow and would be happy to welcome you in its midst. Do not hesitate: your place is among us.