Christian Church Grieve over Missionary Roberta Edwards’ Death: 4-Year-Old Child Still Missing in Haiti

By Shane Dela Cruz
Roberta Edwards
Roberta Edwards was named "Woman of Hope" for 2011 because of her passion in helping the poor and being a hope for the hopeless. Estes Church of Christ

Missionaries in the United States are one in grief for the death of Roberta Edwards, a Christian missionary in Haiti, and in prayer for the protection of the 4-year old boy that was kidnapped on Saturday night, October 10, 2015.

According to a report in NBC News, Roberta Edwards was killed inside her car while she and three children are on the way to the foster home that she was working in. The gunning happened on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where Edwards has been serving as a missionary for 20 years. Two of the three children got away as they ran away from the crime scene while one of the children, Jonathan Paul, was taken by the men who shot Edwards to death. Haiti police have remained silent in discussing the details of the investigation and has given just the broadest outline of the case, according to a Fox News report. No ransom demand has been received ever since the killing and kidnapping and authorities are still oblivious of the motive behind the killing and the abduction. Authorities have not commented on the possible angles that they are looking at regarding the crime.

The church continues to pray for the return of Jonathan Paul, "Jojo" as the other children call him, for there has been no news about him and there was nothing heard about his whereabouts until this time. Jonathan is the second youngest child in the foster home and was raised by Edwards since he was nine months old, the time that he was taken in the foster home. According to Larry Waymire, a colleague of Edwards, the child was just "skin and bones" at the time. His mother dead and then being raised by a blind grandmother, Jojo was taken in the care of Edwards, Waymire told Fox News. Edwards' colleagues from Estes Church of Christ expressed their concern on the welfare of the child as they know how important these children are for Edwards.

Roberta Edwards is a missionary from the Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, Tennessee. She was considered as a house mother for the orphans of Sonlight Children's Home, the foster home and food-distribution site that she has run since 2002. According to an NBC news report, Edwards was taking care of 20 children in the foster home and at the same time running a nutrition center that fed 160 children twice a day. Edwards dedicated her life in bringing hope to the hopeless, this is how the Estes Church of Christ described the ministry that Edwards was doing in Haiti. According to Harold Pirtle, a church elder and colleague, Edwards considered leaving the job. She has been feeling "tired" and "scared" but she said that she can't leave the kids, Pirtle stated in an interview with Fox News.

Elders from Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, Tennessee flew to Haiti and to the foster home that Edwards ran. The children at the home are also preparing for the memorial service for Edwards, Fox News reported.

Let us join together and continue to pray for the safe return of Jonathan Paul and for the justice of Edwards' death.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories