Abducted pastor in Haiti freed while 17 missionaries still held captive

by Seth Udinski

Seth Udinski, FISM News

 

FISM News has kept a close watch on the troubling situation in Haiti, involving 17 Christian missionaries who were kidnapped by the violent 400 Mawozo gang last week. While, unfortunately, the missionaries are still being held captive, a glimmer of good news broke from the region earlier this week.

On Oct. 3, several days before the kidnapping of the missionaries, American pastor Jean Pierre Ferrer Michel was taken captive from his church by the 400 Mawazo gang along with two members of his congregation.

The 79-year-old pastor and his two congregants were freed after a $550,000 ransom was paid to the kidnappers. Pastor Michel’s daughter shared a video on Facebook on Tuesday confirming that her father had safely returned.

This story has not received the same coverage as that of the 17 missionaries, possibly because of the number of hostages held. While Christians pray for the safe return of these missionaries held hostage, we can rejoice knowing that a pastor and two other believers were set free.

It is worth noting, however, that the Mawazo gang appears to exhibit a sinister hatred for Christians in the region of Haiti. While the President is aware of the situation, so far American security forces have not been able to locate the hostages. According to the White House, the Biden administration is “looking at every possible option” to bring the hostages back to safety.

Christian Aid Ministries, the organization to whom the hostages belong, continues to pray. The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday,

We invite believers from around the world to join us. We again request ongoing prayer for those being held, government officials who are assisting, and the kidnappers themselves

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