Ken MacGillivray

Progress and Preparation

February 3, 2026 by Ken MacGillivray Leave a Comment

Rena and I especially enjoy the holidays on odd years. “Odd years” as in odd-numbered years. In these years, all our kids, grandkids, spouses and sometimes their friends make their way to Michigan for our biannual MacGillivray Family Christmas. (See pic below of Christmas 2025. Our growing part of Clan MacGillivray is on the left.) For a few days, 15 of us lodged at our house – joyful chaos!

On Christmas Day, Rena shared with all of us that she so enjoyed the anticipation and preparation of everyone coming home for Christmas. “How much more,” she asked us, “do you think God anticipated and prepared for the coming of His Son to this earth?” That thought stayed with me through the Christmas season and into this new year of ministry.

Progress

We’re so grateful for Kingdom progress in 2025. By God’s grace and your faithful partnership with us, 2025 was our best year ever! Here are the highlights:

We offered PPI courses 15 times in Haiti – the most ever!
We exceeded 1500 church leaders attending our courses in 2025 – our highest number in a single year.
We finished and led Courses 5 and 6 for the first time in 2025.
We saw 41 church leaders complete ALL six courses in our December training – we had an exciting graduation!

We thank the Lord for this progress in encouraging, training and resourcing pastors in Haiti!

Preparation

The ground gained in 2025 gives us a firm launching pad for this new year. After the holidays, we went to work preparing for our training in 2026 in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In January, we:

Purchased 560 Thompson Bibles (French)
Bought 540 Creole Bibles
Finalized the schedules and organized the details of our first three training trips – in February, April and May. We’ll also train in Haiti in Oct/Nov and Dec – 5 training trips to Haiti in 2026.
Revised and reprinted Courses 1 and 3
Wrapped up PPI’s year-end financial statements and 2026 proposed budget

Last week (Jan 28-30), three PPI ministry team members flew to southern Haiti to prepare for our training there in May. Isaiah, Jasmin and Phisner visited two key cities and decided on churches and pastors that would host our training well (see pics below). They determined the best lodging options for our ministry team and worked out plans for course meals. (Providing lunch for 120 hungry church leaders over three days of a PPI course is quite a task! Jasmin oversees that aspect of our training – and much more – so well.)

So January has been a month of prayer, anticipation and preparation. I’m excited to get back to central Haiti in mid-February, where our team will lead Course 1 and Course 3 (twice) in two cities there. We anticipate the Lord’s continued favor, lasting fruit and joy in the churches for His glory.

Thank you again, friends, for praying for us, encouraging us and supporting us in this Kingdom work. We thank our God every time we think of you! (Philippians 1:3-5) Will you pray specifically this month for:

Our training in central Haiti – for soft, open hearts and the life-changing, church-strengthening work of the Holy Spirit, for protection and travels
Final preparations for our April and May training trips
For Rena and I as we navigate a complete kitchen and basement remodel after pipes in our kitchen ceiling/wall burst last week and did significant damage. Especially pray for Rena while I’m away for 17 days in February/March.

We thank the Lord for each of you and pray that He will give you and your family His wisdom and joy as you navigate this new year for His glory. Thank you again for partnering with us in this vital work!

Can They Hear Us Sing?

December 11, 2025 by Ken MacGillivray

I noticed the difference my first night back in Haiti. When darkness fell that evening and the streets grew quiet, I heard people singing. That’s not unusual in Haiti – a woman singing as she hangs laundry in her back yard, children singing as they walk home from school, and especially Christians. That’s what I heard now: believers in Christ singing to and about their Savior. I listened for several minutes, recognizing the tune and many of the words. Truth. Hope. Peace.

I told 112 church leaders about it the next morning. “Kontinye chante,” I encouraged them. “Keep on singing. Let people in your community hear the song in your heart, the hope you have in Christ.” And I asked myself, “Do people hear me singing?” (Unfortunately, some of our neighbors probably have had that pleasure.) Maybe not literally. Don’t we question the mental balance or at least the social sensitivity of people who walk around Target store singing aloud? Maybe we shouldn’t. We live in a different culture and spend more time indoors.

But can our neighbors, coworkers, family and friends hear the song of our lives? Not the audible refrains, but the hope and peace of Christ that flow from our lives? Now more than ever, those we rub shoulders with need to hear the inviting strains of our Savior ringing through our words and actions. LISTEN TO 92 CHURCH LEADERS SING

A Quick Update and Pics

We finished Course 1 in Fort-Liberté yesterday (Wednesday) and started Course 3 this morning. A total of 111 students successfully completing Course 1, earning a Thompson Bible. They were so excited. We have 92 church leaders enrolled in Course 3, our first course on church leadership. (They’re the group singing in the video tagged above.) When Pastor Modie concluded the song, they kept on singing: “Ma va ouie li. Ma konnin li, le ma kanpe bo kote jezi-kri.” (“I will see Him. I will know Him, when I stand by the side of Jesus Christ . . .”)

Pray that through the song of our lives, we all will give hope to one another as we meet together this week and next!

A Milestone Year and More to Come

December 3, 2025 by Ken MacGillivray

God helps those who help themselves. You’ve heard the saying. It’s true as far as it goes. God expects us to take responsibility, initiative and action in what we know to be right. But what if we cannot help ourselves? What if nothing we do changes our situation? Then what? God steps in!

That’s the point of Christmas, isn’t it?

When we were powerless (Romans 5:6), dead in sin and dominated by darkness (Ephesians 2:1-3), without hope and without God in the world (2:12), Jesus stepped in to save us. Our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – delighted in loving and rescuing us. No wonder, myriad angels burst out in song the night Jesus was born (Luke 2:13–14; Hebrews 1:6)!

And God’s gracious help continues as we walk with Him and serve Him. The Lord has reminded us of that again and again this year.

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 1 Corinthians 4:7

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7

How encouraging to know that God delights to work through us to love and help others! How freeing to realize God gives us strength, wisdom and joy as we do! How emboldening to know the Lord Jesus is always with us as we make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:20)!

A Milestone Year – 2025

In that spirit, we want you to know that 2025 has been a milestone year for PPI! This year, we:

Offered PPI courses 15 times in Haiti – the most ever.
Exceeded 1500 pastors taking our courses this year – the highest in 1 year.
Finished and offered Courses 5 and 6 for the first time.
Will see many pastors complete ALL six courses this December – for the first time.

We thank the Lord for these milestones! God alone gives us these opportunities to encourage, train and resource church leaders – to build up His church for His glory.

More to Come – 2026

In addition to training pastors in northern and central Haiti, we plan to introduce PPI courses in southern Haiti in 2026. We also will provide materials for equipping church leaders in the Dominican Republic. There’s more to come in 2026!

Port au Prince, Haiti’s capital, forms a geographical bottle-neck between southern Haiti and the rest of the country (see the Haiti map). Gang control of Port au Prince and surrounding areas has virtually shut off travel and shipping to and from south Haiti. You can imagine how this situation has affected people there relationally, economically and spiritually.

Pastors in southern Haiti have pleaded with us for three years to offer training in their cities. Our team has prayed and talked a lot about it, and we’ve decided 2026 is the year to introduce PPI training there. Travel and shipping will be complicated and expensive, but we’re trusting the Lord to open the way. Please pray for us!

We will also provide PPI Course 1 workbooks and other support for pastors training in the Dominican Republic. Pastor Rob Mathis will begin equipping Haitian church leaders in the DR in January 2026. (Check out our previous post for more info.) We’re excited to partner with Rob in strengthening Haitian churches in the DR.

A milestone year and more to come! Thank you all for your partnership with us in encouraging, training and resourcing church leaders in Haiti and other developing nations. What a joy to boast together in the love and power of our Savior Jesus! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

North Haiti and Beyond

November 19, 2025 by Ken MacGillivray

We started Course 1 in Cap-Haitien this morning (last Monday) with a full house. (See pics!) Modie, a member of our ministry team, told us last year that many, many church leaders were asking for PPI Course 1 again in Cap-Haitien. He was right!

The Lord has given our team strength and joy these past two weeks. Hurricane Melissa left behind flooded streets and roads and hot, muggy weather in Haiti. One team member said, “It’s muggy, wrapped in muggy, stuffed with muggy.” Honestly, our U.S. team members are looking forward to cooler, less humid weather – and a Starbucks! – but we can endure some light, momentary afflictions to encourage and train 300 church leaders over these two weeks!

Last week, we also offered Course 1 in Limbé, a smaller city two hours west of Cap-Haitien as well as Course 4. This gave Rob Mathis, a U.S. pastor with us on this trip, two opportunities to participate in Course 1 and absorb how we lead it. Pastor Rob desires to train Haitian pastors in the Dominican Republic, and he will start with PPI Course 1 there in January. Please pray for Rob and his wife, Allison, as they transition from Rob’s 30-year pastorate at their church in southern Illinois to training church leaders in the Dominican Republic. We’re excited for them and for the expansion of PPI courses!

Modie led a beautiful song in Limbé. It’s the Haitian version of “I Shall Know Him.” Nearly 100 church leaders lifted their voices to Heaven:

“Ma va oue li, ma konnin li, le ma kanpe bo kotte jezu-kri. Ma va oue li, ma konnin li pa mak klou yo li gingnin nan min li.” (”I will see Him, I will know Him, when I stand by the side of Jesus Christ. I will see Him, I will know Him by the nail marks He has in His hands.”)

Our lives on this planet pass by so quickly. What will we live for while we’re here? What gets our time, attention and energy? How much of what we focus on is just for us? The Father’s intention for each of His children is clear: “Christ died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who for their sake died and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

One day soon we will see our Savior. We will see Him! We will know Him! In those moments we will realize fully how important it was to live for what really mattered for eternity – wherever we may be.

P.S. Thank you for your contributions to help Pastor Clausel’s family and church in southern Haiti! He is so grateful for your thoughtfulness and gifts.

Help in South Haiti

November 1, 2025 by Ken MacGillivray

Pastor Clausel Cadet wants to help his family members and others in southern Haiti, an area devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Let’s help him! GIVE HERE Although the storm centered over Jamaica, more Haitians (30 at last count) lost their lives because of extensive flooding.

One of several photos Pastor Clausel sent to me earlier this week.

I have known and corresponded with Pastor Clausel for nearly two years. He lives in Port au Prince, where he leads a church and school for children. Clausel also hosts a training cohort for pastors in his city. He is a good brother, doing his best under circumstances I can’t imagine.

PPI’s mission is to “encourage, train and resource church leaders in Haiti and other developing countries.” At times, such as during COVID-19, the Lord moves us to encourage Haitian churches through meeting practical needs. This is one of those times. As the Lord leads you, would you consider giving to help Haitians in southern Haiti with food, water and materials to rebuild their homes? DONATE HERE

We will send funds given to Pastor Clausel to distribute. Here is his recent message to me:

Subject: Request for Humanitarian Assistance Following the Passage of Cyclone Melissa

Dear pastor Ken,

I am writing to you with deep humility. I am originally from the Grand’Anse Department, specifically from Jérémie, where my mother, sisters, and brothers still live. Unfortunately, they were severely affected by the passage of Cyclone Melissa.

The situation in this region is very critical, and I am deeply saddened to see my family suffering in such conditions. In addition, several members of my church, located in the community of Farouge (in the commune of Dame-Marie), have also suffered serious losses and are going through extremely difficult times.

I would like to visit them soon to bring some comfort and assistance, but my current means are very limited. Therefore, I am reaching out to kindly request your support—of any kind—to help my family and the members of my church during this time of great distress.

I sincerely thank you in advance for your understanding, compassion, and solidarity toward the people affected in Jérémie, Farouge, and throughout the Grand’Anse region.

Respectfully,
Pastor Clausel Cadet