The Institute of Grace is a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) organization that provides educational opportunities and healthcare services to poor and underprivileged people in Haiti. IOG serves and supports the communities of Port-au-Prince, Delmas, and Merger in Haiti. Our goal is to provide greater service as more resources become available.
Our History
Founded in 2000, the Institute of Grace (IOG) grew out of the collective efforts of several individuals and as an institution began as a noble, but relatively small dream. Jean Filostin, a child of Haiti, sought to bring back to his birth island a possibility of hope similar to that which he had obtained in the United States. His dreams had been fulfilled with the help and support of some mentors, friends who saw in him the potential for leadership and success. Jean wanted to begin with a building on Gonâve Island to provide continuing education to those who had little other chance of obtaining advanced schooling as most would not exceed the sixth grade. Being encouraged by a group of pastors in Port-au-Prince and starting with a small house he inherited, Jean shifted his focus to the capital city, yet never lost his desire to reach out to those in rural areas who had limited opportunities.
How We Work
Responding to local conditions and needs, IOG seeks to enhance the activities of the local population and provide appropriate additional assistance and resources in the areas of health and education. We encourage people to review the manner in which they live and make the best possible decisions for their own futures and provide seminars on leadership, health, and community development to equip people with the tools to change.
Where We Work
Although the focus is on the coordination and administration of international development and relief projects, our organization is not limited to work abroad. IOG has provided English classes to immigrants in Washington, D.C. and tutored Mathematics to high school students. We have field offices in Haiti and are headquartered in United States.
Our Support Network
Support comes from churches, charitable foundations, corporations, other private organizations, and hundreds of people committed to IOG’s work for a better world. We depend on contributions to carry out essential work in Haiti and thank those who support the projects.
Statement of Beliefs
IOG subscribes to the following statement of faith:
We believe the Bible to be the verbally inspired, infallible and authoritative Word of God without error in the original writings. (II Timothy 3:16)
We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 45:22, Romans 11:36)
We believe in the Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth and in His sinless life. We believe that He died on the cross, taking in Himself all of our sins through His shed blood, and that He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven from whence He will return with power and glory. (John 10:3, I Timothy 2:5, 6, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Titus 2:13)
We believe that all men have sinned and come short of the Glory of God; and that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is absolutely essential. (Romans 2:23, John 1:12, Titus 3:5)
We believe in the doctrine of justification by faith, realizing that it is impossible for man through works to save himself. (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9)
We believe in life after death; that "There shall be resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." (Acts 24:15) We believe in the resurrection of the saved to everlasting life in heaven and the resurrection of the unsaved to eternal punishment. (I Thessalonians 4:16, 17, II Thessalonians 1:7-9)
We believe in prayer, and whatever the immediate purpose, prayer should be that God's Will be done on earth (Matthew 6:10; I John 5:14-15). We must forgive to be forgiven (Matthew 6:14). The Holy Spirit will help us to pray (Romans 8:26-27). If we ask in faith and in the Name of Jesus Christ, He will hear (John 15:16; James 1:6-7).
We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers in Christ to share the Good News of Jesus as Savior and Lord to all people of the world. We believe we should do this in deeds of love and in the proclamation of the Gospel. We are therefore concerned about all physical, social and spiritual needs of all people, and we will use every opportunity to communicate and express the love of God to a world in need. (Acts 1:8, I Peter 2:12)
We believe that the above are fundamentals held by our confessing reformed and evangelical theology. The following are essential to the Christian walk of faith, in which we all strive to our fullest to obey and practice daily:
A caring, effective love relationship with Jesus Christ.
A lifestyle dedicated to obeying God’s will with joy, even through personal sacrifice.
A lifestyle dedicated to serve our brothers and sisters with joy.
A witness for Christ without hypocrisy.