Pastor Henri Claude L. Robert, founder of CEDAN, was born and raised in Limbé, Haiti, primarily by Christian missionaries after the age of 11. He completed his primary and secondary schooling in the area and moved on to Northern Haiti Christian University in Limbé where he completed his seminary education. In 1983, Pastor Robert received a calling from the Lord to go to Berno in Acul du Nord, one of the worst areas of Northern Haiti on the northwest side of Cap-Haitian, Haiti’s second largest city. At the time the areas inhabitants lived in the worst conditions, with no out-houses, medical centers, drinking water, schools, or churches. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of the population was deeply involved in voodoo, and most children died before the age of 3.

Pastor Robert lived among the people and began a church and school ministry which he called CEDAN (Centre for Evangelism & Development of Acul du Nord). On October 10, 1984 with the help of Pastor Danuel Alcide, and two school teachers, the first church meeting took place with an attendance of 10 people. Over the past 27 years Pastor Henri and CEDAN’s ministries have, by God's grace, brought light to the lost and changed the region by sharing the Gospel and ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of their neighbors. Thankfully, approximately eighty percent (80%) of the people now attend church, and it is estimated that 60% are dedicated servants of Jesus Christ. Voodoo involvement has declined by nearly ninety percent (90%), and ninety percent (90%) of the children desire to go to school... even though most parents (98%) cannot afford to send them.