Rev. Dr. André J. Louis ~ April 29, 1936 – January 25, 2021
Reverend André J. Louis, Founder of the Church of the Independent Alliance and former vice-president of the Protestant Federation of Haiti, died January 25, 2021 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
André J. Louis was born in Leogane, Haiti April 29, 1936. He attended school in Leogane from 1944 – 1961. From 1961-1964 he attended college and pursued a degree in Ethnology from 1964-1968 getting his BA in Anthropological Sciences.
After this, Reverend André J. Louis received the Lord’s call for ministry. On the strength of his call, he set up an evangelization movement which enabled him to open a church with the fruits of his labors and God’s blessings. After the founding of this church, he realized that he had to have the proper training to carry out his ministry. This is why he left for Canada to attend Prairie Bible Institute from 1968 to 1971. After working to garner financial support in Canada and the US for building a ministry he returned to Haiti and founded The Independent Alliance Church with a heart to grow the evangelical church not only in Carrefour, but across the nation of Haiti. He also started a Bible Institute to train future pastors and church leaders.
With the idea of perfecting his theological training to better fulfill his ministry, he decided to go to the United States for higher studies. From 1989 to 1991, he enrolled at the prestigious Fuller Theological Seminary to obtain the master’s degree. From 1991 to 1994, he continued his studies at the same institution from which he obtained his doctorate in theology.
In the 1980s, Reverend André J. Louis was confronted with a great dilemma: the poor people of his assembly and those of the city where he lived suffered injustices of all kinds; their rights were violated, they sometimes paid fines for unjustified reasons and sometimes put in prison. Faced with such a situation, he realized that he must do something to help defend them. Thus, from 1981 to 1985, he attended the Faculty of Law and Economics of Port-au-Prince, where in 1988 he obtained a license in legal sciences. This license gave him the opportunity to become a legal voice for the voiceless. When the people he defended could not afford the legal costs, he used the money from his pocket to do so. And he always did it with joy.
Dr. André J. Louis has held several other positions in the defense of the gospel:
1) He founded an organization called CONAMISE (National Council of Evangelical Missions) to stand against government overreach into the churches and the work of the gospel. 2) He participated in broadcast radio programs on several radio stations such as Port-au-Prince radio, MBC radio, Mega radio in the United States and Caribbean radio. He also broadcast Haitian tales on Lumière radio. “Aide Aux Âmes.” is the name of its broadcasts on Port-au-Prince radio, BMC radio, Mega radio in the United States and Caribbean radio. Through his broadcasts he was able to refute false doctrines and he also taught people the biblical foundations for God’s salvation in Jesus Christ.
God truly blessed the work of Rev. Andre Louis. During his ministry, he planted 27 churches which are scattered throughout the country of Haiti. Through these churches (and preaching stations), thousands of people have fled the slavery of Satan to the one Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Reverend André J. Louis was very interested in the education of children and the vocational training of young people. With this in mind, he founded 5 nursery schools, 12 primary schools and 2 secondary schools. At the beginning the majority of primary schools were free because of generous mission support. It is only recently that a small annual amount is required to cover certain expenses. He opened a vocational school, but it had to close after several years of operation.
Reverend André J. Louis cared about orphaned children and those whose parents are unable to fulfill their obligations to them. That’s why he founded an orphanage to take care of them and take care of their education. Many raised and educated through the orphanage have become intellectuals and professionals in great demand in the labor market. Through the generous giving from Canadian donors, he opened a space called Maison des Veuves (widow home) to accommodate elderly women without husbands or children. In this place, these women are fed, clothed and received health care.
Rev. Jean Marie Mardy: “My father and the mother of Dr. André J. Louis are brother and sister. In other words, he was my cousin. However, he was more than that to me because he played the role of father, mentor, counselor and teacher. There is not a stage in my evolution that has not had his imprint, his trademark. After God, I owe him a lot. He sowed a good seed in me and in people of many generations. This seed is durable and everlasting. This is why we say that Dr. André J Louis is not dead, because a man does not die when his memory is perpetuated in others.”
Rev. Andre Louis is survived by his wife Ghislaine J Louis; children, Ramy, Handel, Jerry, Darlhen and Wyslande Louis; adopted child Nadege Louis. Also many cousins, nephews, nieces, ministry fellows and mission partners.
Independent Christian Alliance Church and it’s leadership want to thank you for your support and prayers through the years of Pastor Andre’s leadership. The board of the mission hopes and prays that you will continue to pray for and financially support the ongoing work of the mission to preach the gospel across the nation of Haiti, to educate children as well as educate and train gospel preachers for the churches of Haiti. The orphanage and widows’ house ministry also continue (by God’s mercies and your support).
Gifts can be sent to the mission address, but if you need tax receipt please send to (payable to): D.M.S. Missionary Fund, P.O. Box 1578, North Wales, PA 19454 (with ICA designation in memo line). Gifts from Canada, please send to: Christian Mission and Training Commission, % Rev. Phil Lichty, 6494 HWY 64, Monetville, Ontario, Canada POM 2K
