Boards of Directors
 

Eben-Ezer Mission, Inc.

Pastor Michel Morisset, Chairman and Founder
mmorisset@ebenezermission.com

When he was 19, Michel Morisset organized a weekly meeting of friends and family to discuss the issues facing them all in Haïti, in particular loathing the anti-education sentiment so prevalent at that time. As they gathered in a backyard every Thursday evening to discuss God and life, they started to attract neighbors who leaned on the fence to listen. Eventually, this informal meeting became a congregation.

At that time, unauthorized gatherings of over 20 persons meant serious trouble with the government for the leaders. Eventually, Michel's older brother persuaded him to travel to Port-au-Prince to study and be ordained, solving the immediate threat of continuing what he recognized as his calling.

Pastor Michel immediately organized a high school, suffering from nearly universal disbelief and jeering from everyone, as it was considered "getting above oneself" to spurn the inadequate government education system. To be young is to be bold, but it took courage to persevere. His first class was six students and five teachers. After only two months, four of the students dropped out, leaving two students with the attention of the five teachers.

Through the force of his personality and faith, Pastor Michel continued to spread his message of self-reliance, freedom through education, and everyone's ability to enjoy a healthy life if taught how to do it. By the next year, the Eben-Ezer Mission had 150 students, and the current school year has 1,500 students.

Pastor Michel and his colleagues and supporters have enjoyed much success in building a comprehensive, country-wide network of schools, from kindergarten through university and vocational-technical, in addition to hospitals, clinics, small factories, and farms.

But Eben-Ezer Mission today faces greater challenges than ever as the United States continues to squeeze Haïtian leaders, as outside financial assistance has dried up throughout the country, as national government statements have caused hard currency to evaporate from Haïti, as teachers are going unpaid and hunger is growing.

Pastor Michel has come to the United States, taking time he doesn't have from his work in the Desolate Savannah of Gonaïves, Haïti, to build an organization that can help Eben-Ezer Mission continue and grow. At the same time, despite the current challenges, Pastor Michel is committed to helping the Haitian-Americans of the Diaspora obtain their share of the American dream. The lessons of self-empowerment and the power of education and faith are as useful in the US as they are in Haïti.

Gary Blair
secretary@ebenezermission.com

Bruce Gilpin, M.D.
bgilpin@ebenezermission.com

Bruce Johnson, Treasurer
treasurer@ebenezermission.com

Bruce Johnson is the principal of BRUCE JOHNSON-ARCHITECTURE, a firm started in Asheville, North Carolina in 1990 specializing in environmentally sensitive, custom residences. These permanent and vacation homes range in size and style from small, rustic cabins and bungalows to large, timber-framed, country estates and lodges. Homes have been designed for a variety of sites in the United States. Recent projects are located in Asheville, Maggie Valley, Cashiers, and Lake Toxaway NC, Aiken SC, Dahlonega GA, and Ann Arbor MI.

Before moving to Asheville, Bruce was a principal for 10 years with Innovative Design in Raleigh NC. While there, he was involved with the design of several types of energy conscious commercial facilities as well as over 600 residential solar projects.

Bruce has conducted solar seminars and presented technical papers throughout the United States and Europe. His projects have been published in international magazines, filmed for public television, and used by MGM in a feature movie. While at Innovative Design, Bruce and his two partners received the US Department of Energy's Award for Energy Innovation and the Australian Masonry Association's Award for Design Excellence.

Bruce has a B.A. in Fine Arts from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters of Architecture from North Carolina State in Raleigh. He is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards with active licenses in NC, SC, and VA. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the American Solar Energy Society, the Town of Biltmore Forest Design Review Board, and the Board of Eben-Ezer Mission of Gonaïves, Haiti. Bruce was also a designer for Habitat for Humanity, a contributing writer for Country's Best Log Homes magazine, and consulting architect to St. Michael's Church in Ligonier, PA.

Bruce is married and has two children, Keli and Matthew. His wife Linda is a nutritionist and works hard to keep them all healthy.

Eben-Ezer Mission of Gonaïves

Pastor Michel Morisset
Claire Chappuis, M.D.
Joshua Jean
Huges St. Pierre

STEM-Haïti

Pastor Michel Morisset
Claire Chappuis, M.D.

CECUCCH-Haïti

Pastor Michel Morisset
Roosevelt Augustine
Claire Chappuis
Felix Pierre Dubois

STEM International, Inc.

Pastor Michel Morisset
Claire Chappuis, M.D.
Lynn Gilpin
Bruce Johnson
Maurel Lamour

CECUCCH, Inc.

Pastor Michel Morisset
Gary Blair
Hampton Sewell

TeleCECUCCH

Pastor Michel Morisset
Claire Chappuis, M.D.
Josue Jean

Consultants

Luis F. Correa
lcorrea@ebenezermission.com
Luis Correa is an active member of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International and a Florida-licensed real estate broker.

Hampton Sewell
hsewell@ebenezermission.com

Richard West
rwest@ebenezermission.com