The Baptist Church in DeRac, "Eglise Baptiste Philadelphie de DeRac" was founded in 1941 and has approximately 200 - 250 people in attendance each Sunday. Their pastor, Hebert Mettelus, has been the pastor of the church since 2003. He is pictured below (on the right) with the school principal, Jean Baptiste Mesac (on the left).
(left) Inside the Baptist Church in DeRac
DeRac is a small, poor, very dry community on Ft. Liberty bay, approximately 10 miles east of Terrier Rouge, close to the border of the Dominican Republic. The total population of the community is around 6,000 people.
With its close proximity to Ft. Liberty Bay, most of the people in DeRac who have employment make their living by fishing or selling fish. Some also earn an income from making charcoal. But, in general, employment opportunities are very scarce in this area.
One of the ministries of the church is their school of approximately 300 students in preschool through 6th grade. The children in the school are provided with a meal at school each school day.
(right) The school uniforms of the Baptist School in DeRac