27473: Hermantin(News)A missionary pursuit takes a French twist (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

lhermantin@hotmail.com


Orlando Sentinel

GOOD DEEDS FAITH IN ACTION

A missionary pursuit takes a French twist
Mark I. Pinsky
Sentinel Staff Writer

February 2, 2006

Decades ago, when Jim Pratt studied French to help him as a Mormon missionary 
in Europe, he never imagined that one day his language training would enable 
him to minister to Haitian immigrants in Central Florida.

"That would never have occurred to me," says Pratt, who meets often with about 
50 Haitians who study and worship at the College Park chapel of the Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

"The church is very committed to Haiti," says Pratt, 47, an Orlando attorney. 
"I've always loved the language, and I'm grateful for a chance to speak it 
again."

Like most male Mormons between ages 19 and 26, Pratt spent two years as a 
missionary, in his case in France and Belgium in the late 1970s. "That was a 
special time in my life," he says. "Speaking religion in French again brings 
back some special feelings."

Pratt, who is the equivalent of bishop, a voluntary position, says that 
returned missionaries with Spanish and Portuguese language skills are 
especially helpful evangelizing various immigrant groups throughout the United 
States.

"We now have critical masses of Haitians, Hispanics and Brazilians in Central 
Florida," says Pratt.

"What we're trying to do is make it possible for everyone to hear the gospel 
taught in his own language."

A native Haitian minister, Fritzner A. Joseph, leads the College Park group on 
Sundays, but he is happy to have Pratt speak to the members of his 
congregation, especially when it comes to explaining doctrinal points.

"It's a very good asset," says Joseph. "He's one of the highest leaders in 
Florida. We can communicate better. He speaks French fluently."

Mark I. Pinsky can be reached at 407-420-5589 or mpinsky@orlandosentinel.com.