Bethel Christian Church Disciple of Christ, Inc.
1098 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY | Sundays 11:00am
Let’s go to Bethel
The Calling
Pastor Jérôme Hérold had his first experience with God when he was a young boy in the Haitian city of Aux Cayes, in southern Haiti. Since he was very young, Pastor Jérôme’s mother took him on several pilgrimages to different parts of Haiti in search of a spiritual connection. His mother was very religious. As the youngest child in his family, little Jérôme went with her everywhere. In a way he did not fully understand, the young Jérôme was very anxious to find out more about God. He remembers vividly one day when his mother took him with other people on a pilgrimage to Miragoâne, about 30 miles from Aux Cayes.
They traveled for about four hours to get there because the road’s poor condition. It would have taken them only 45 minutes on a well-maintained road. When they finally got to Miragoâne, there were hundreds of people thirsty for some type of spiritual healing. Each one came with a particular problem, hoping to get some sort of solution from an unknown God. Some were crawling on their knees. Others lit candles for or addressed the statue of a patron saint to solve their problems. Young Jérôme realized, even at that time, that there would be no answer from the statue, even though the people believed strongly that some type of miracle would happen.
Years later, Hérold’s theological reflection was that Haitians were not afraid to travel many miles to reach their goals and speak to their God. At first, he did not understand who God is. He was too young to put his trust in him.
Since then, Jérôme realized that salvation is individual. He could no longer depend on his mother’s belief. He had to discover God for himself. His curiosity gave him the hunger to search out more about God and find out who He really is.
Hérold began to reflect on God’s mystery through what he had witnessed in his community. He questioned people’s pain, oppression, and suffering. Some Haitians are still worshiping other gods, such as in Santa Maria, instead of the true God, the creator of the universe who sent his son to save us from our sins. Hérold used to travel many miles with his mother in a group of people to reach their God for some type of spiritual healing. Although they could not see Him, they acknowledged his existence. Therefore, his responsibly is not to convince them of their faith, because they have already demonstrated faith through their actions. So, what he desired was to help them to acknowledge the true God, to introduce God’s plan of salvation.
Years later, Hérold’s theological reflection was that Haitians were not afraid to travel many miles to reach their goals and speak to their God. At first, he did not understand who God is. He was too young to put his trust in him.
Since then, Jérôme realized that salvation is individual. He could no longer depend on his mother’s belief. He had to discover God for himself. His curiosity gave him the hunger to search out more about God and find out who He really is.
Hérold began to reflect on God’s mystery through what he had witnessed in his community. He questioned people’s pain, oppression, and suffering. Some Haitians are still worshiping other gods, such as in Santa Maria, instead of the true God, the creator of the universe who sent his son to save us from our sins. Hérold used to travel many miles with his mother in a group of people to reach their God for some type of spiritual healing. Although they could not see Him, they acknowledged his existence. Therefore, his responsibly is not to convince them of their faith, because they have already demonstrated faith through their actions. So, what he desired was to help them to acknowledge the true God, to introduce God’s plan of salvation.
Prior to Pastor Hérold’s conversion to Christianity, he was religiously faithful in the Charismatic movement. He was also active in Eucharistic Ministry, such as bringing communion to elderly patients in nursing homes and hospitals, and helping the less- fortunate. Thereafter, he converted to Christianity. Then he became a member of “The Rising Church of Christ” (Eglise des Ressucités avec Christ) under the leadership of Pastor Leonard Charles. Five years later, he became a member and minister of the “Evangelical Crusade of Fishers of Men,” serving in different capacities and ministries under the leadership of Pastor Philius Nicolas.
As the calling of God increased in Pastor Hérold’s heart, He furthered his education in theological studies with “Ebenezer Bible School of Ministry,” under the leadership of Pastor Ramino Olivier, “the Shepherd of Ebenezer Baptist Church.” Hérold had the opportunity to preach his first sermon at “Clarté Céleste Church” under the leadership of Pastor Luckner Lorient, Doctor in “Homiletic.” Pastor Hérold further sealed his commitment to God by enrolling in the New York Theological Seminary. After seven years of theological studies, he earned a Master’s Degree in Divinity.
Shortly after completing his studies, Hérold dedicated his life to God’s calling by becoming a pastor. He became the founder and overseer of “Bethel Christian Church Disciples of Christ.” By God’s grace and through the organization, Pastor Hérold hopes that salvation, healing, relief, and peace can reach all who are in need of these things. He was engaged in the Good News Radio Broadcasting Service. Later, he took part in “The Voice of the Islands” on Radio Tropical, which later became “The Voice of Bethel.”
Pastor Hérold was ordained by “The United Christian Leadership Alliance of Haitian Clergy.” He is also a Marriage officiate and licensed by the City of New York. He has been working as a chaplain for the Alliance of Chaplains and Law Enforcement (Clamor Por New York). In 2014, he was recognized as a Minister of good standing by the Christian Church Disciples of Christ.