Meet The Man
Meet The Man
Pastor Roger Wilson Charles was born on September 25, 1958, in Petion-ville, Haiti. He was raised to become a third generation voodoo priest (according to cia.gov approximately half of the Haitian population practices voodoo), but at the young age of 12 he gave his life to Christ. That very same day he was thrown out of his house by his father, and was rejected by his family. An American missionary took in the young boy and he was able to finish school and go on to Bible school, receiving multiple Bible/Theology certificates. In 1981 he married his beautiful wife, Gladys, and since then they have been blessed with five children: Markess, Lynny, Vanessa, Clevens, and Kristie.
Pastor Wilson started his first church, Eglise Communion De La Manne Evangelique D’Haiti, in 1986, and over the years it has become one of the fastest growing churches in Petion-ville with a congregation of over 1,000 people. Since then, he has gone on to plant five other churches: Mt. Moroso (established in 1987), three in Jeremie (established in the early 1990’s), and Lartigue (established in 2004). Pastor Wilson has been burdened by God to plant these churches which are in some of the most remote areas of the country. They take anywhere from five to twenty-two hours to get to, with some even requiring traveling on horseback as well as on foot. He feels strongly that the Haitian people in these remote locations deserve to have a place to go for prayer and worship. Pastor Wilson is very involved with each of these satellite churches, and continues to provide training for all of the pastors and elders. He and the elders from the Petion-ville church make visits to each location a few times a year.
The Haitians have a strong sense of community and Pastor Wilson is committed to meeting not only the spiritual needs of his people, but their physical, emotional and educational needs as well. In all five of these satellite locations, Pastor Wilson has started schools and feeding ministries. These schools are free of charge for all the children who attend, most of whom would not receive an education as their families could not afford it. According to cia.gov, approximately 47.1% of the Haitian population over the age of 15 is illiterate. Pastor provides each child with a uniform as well as one hot meal per day. Pastor Wilson, along with his wife Gladys, are involved in each location from providing the curriculum, to hiring and training the teachers, and providing the food for the feeding ministry. To date, approximately 895 children attend school in these remote locations thanks to Pastor and all the people who helped make it possible.
Pastor Wilson and Gladys’ efforts to bring change to Haiti are tireless. Their desire is to start two orphanages ~ one in Petion-ville and one in Lartigue. On May 21, 2011, Wings of Refuge Children's Home in Petion-ville opened its doors in a rented facility and currently has 20 children under its care. A new 50-bed facility is under construction. They feel there is a great need in Haiti for orphanages where children can have a safe haven to turn to, and have their lives changed for the better.
Pastor Wilson knows the true meaning of what it is to be a servant leader. He has had many opportunities to leave Haiti, move to America, start a church, and have an “easier” life for him and his family. However, he believes that he is called to help his people and has made great sacrifices to do so. Pastor believes that there is hope for Haiti, and that change is possible no matter how slowly it occurs. Despite all of the suffering and tragedy that he has experienced, and all of the work that still needs to be done, Pastor’s ongoing optimism and leadership is truly remarkable. He is an inspirational leader who makes every life that he touches feel valued. His infectious personality brings a joyfulness and hope in the midst of an otherwise dark situation. Pastor Wilson’s love for his fellow man is apparent as he walks by faith with joy, confidence and vision, respected and embraced by everyone he comes in contact with.
