Ken MacGillivray

A lot has happened these past two weeks, resulting in my decision NOT to go to Haiti in August. (I would have left Monday morning.) We want you to know about this unexpected change and ask for your prayers!

Two weeks ago, we served as Mission Representatives at Gull Lake Camp for a week (July 25-30). We met families from all over the U.S. and had many opportunities to share PPI’s vision and strategy in formal and casual settings. We also enjoyed time at camp with my neice and nephew-in-law, Carrie and Bruce Holt, and their extended family (pictured). The Lord blessed our time at Gull Lake, and we’re thanking Him for connections with family and interested friends.

The following Saturday morning, August 1, Rena’s dad passed away unexpectedly. We drove to Georgia on Sunday and spent the week with Rena’s mom and family, taking part in Dad Nadeja’s visitation, funeral and graveside services. We’re comforted that Dad belonged to Christ and is now with Him. We returned home early Friday morning (Aug 7) to finalize details for Katie’s wedding shower, which took place on Saturday morning.

We’ve had a full couple weeks! We prayed about and discussed whether or not I should go to Haiti on Monday and decided it was best for Rena, our family and the timely follow-up with Gull Lake contacts for me to cancel my trip.

To be clear, the training in north Haiti is still happening this week and next. I have been in contact with our Haitian team frequently since Dad N passed away. They are well prepared – and well able – to lead Course 1 and Course 2. Honestly, it’s difficult for me not to be with our team in northern Haiti right now. Even though the team typically leads most sessions of Courses 1 and 2, I love to be with them and all the church leaders in each course, encouraging, serving and praying. But I’m convinced this was the right decision for our family and PPI’s ongoing growth.

Will you pray for all of us, specifically for:

• Rena, her mom and her family in the loss of Dad Nadeja
• Our Haitian team as they lead Courses 1 and 2 this week and next. Course 1 starts this morning (Thursday).
• Every church leader who takes part in our courses these two weeks – for good health, understanding, soft hearts, and growth in the Scriptures and leadership
• For new friends to partner with PPI

Thank you! Look for more updates soon on Youth Job Training in central Haiti and PPI being featured in an article for Christianbook International Outreach. The Lord’s blessings to you and your family.

Happy summer, everyone! We hope you’re doing well and encouraged in the Lord Jesus. We want to update you on what’s happening and what’s coming – and ask for your prayers.

Kitchen

After five months of repair and remodel, our kitchen is functioning again! Over the next few weeks, we will finish last details of all areas of our house affected by the “Flood of ‘26”, including our basement. Rena and I took a break to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday with family by enjoying the Bay City fireworks (arguably the best show in Michigan) and exploring Mackinac Island (including the fudge shops). We both said, “Ahh! Our summer has started!” Thank you for your prayers and encouragement along the way.

Camp

Gull Lake Camp invited us again to be mission representatives during one week of their family camp. Our week will be July 25-31. We really enjoyed our first venture as mission reps at Gull Lake in 2024 – presenting PPI, meeting families from across the United States, the water, fun and food! We look forward to sharing the vision of PPI and our part in a growing, global movement of making pastors training accessible. And we pray for good fruit – not only potential partners for PPI, but also growth in passion and strategic thinking for Jesus’ mission in the world.

Conference

Ten days after our time at Gull Lake, I head to Haiti again. Our team will lead PPI Course 1 as part of Pastor Cebien Alexis’ annual pastors conference. I met Pastor Cebien five years ago. He is a godly Christian leader in his country and has planted many churches in Haiti and the Dominican Republic throughout his decades of ministry. But he and other leaders of his EBAC network recognize the pressing need for Biblical and practical ministry training. That’s where PPI comes in!

We tried to coordinate training with Pastor Cebien 3-4 years ago, but he canceled the conference because of unrest in his area. This year, the Lord has cleared the way for us to offer Course 1 during the EBAC conference. While in northern Haiti, we will also offer Course 2 at our usual host church in that area. Please pray for these courses in August!

One summer many years ago, I had the opportunity to hear noted Dutch theologian, Willem VanGemeren, speak in Jackson, Mississippi. I’ll never forget one lecture, in which he talked about the “sacred center” of our lives. Since we belong to God – body, soul and spirit – every moment, every relationship, every event of our lives is sacred. God is involved and is working out His good purposes in us and through us.

Time working on (and working through) a flooded house is sacred. Spending time with families at a Christian camp is an act of worship to our Father in Heaven. Welcoming, loving and equipping church leaders in northern Haiti are offerings of thanksgiving to the One sent to our messed up world to rescue us. Every moment of YOUR summer is holy to the Lord. We pray you have opportunities to invest it for Him and in others as your sacrifice of praise.

I typically sign my name 345 times every time I travel to Haiti. Yes, you read that right – 345 times! On the final day of each PPI course, we conclude with a time of recognition and ceremony. Every church leader who successfully completes a PPI course receives a certificate of completion and a Thompson Bible (Course 1) or Creole Bibles (Courses 2-6) and other ministry resources. Isaiah, Jasmin and I sign each certificate and emboss it with our PPI stamp before Hebert letters each person’s name on his or her certificate. (Hebert has stellar penmanship.) We place each certificate in a plastic sleeve to protect it along with an official PPI letter describing our courses. Since 2019, we have signed and awarded over 3000 PPI certificates. Before 2026 ends, we will sign 920 more.

Church leaders are very excited to receive the PPI certificate of completion! For them, the certificate respresents three full days of study, discussion and assignments. They have worked hard in the Word! And many of them have overcome hardship and sacrificed significantly to attend a PPI course. Each one has a story. They express gratitude to the Lord for enabling them to take the course, and they rightly experience joy and accomplishment in completing it.

As I inscribed certificate after certificate in south Haiti, I thought more about what – and who – my signature represents. (This is how one’s mind wanders while signing hundreds of documents . . .) I sign the name given to me by my parents, Ken and Loretta MacGillivray. My name, Ken MacGillivray, represents not just me but them – my dad quite literally. They loved me and shaped my life for Christ. Without them, I would not know Jesus and certainly would not be serving in Haiti.

I also sign my name as the Directeur exécutif (Executive Director) of Partenariat avec pasteurs internationaux. In a real way, my signature on each PPI certificate symbolizes the encouragement and affirmation of our Board of Directors and, indeed, all of you as PPI partners and friends. Each time I inscribe a course certificate, I am saying on your behalf: “Well done! We congratulate you on your work in this course. We see the Lord’s hand upon you and are praying for you, your family and your church. We’re behind you as you go back to your community to serve and lead in Jesus’ name!” Even more, we represent the Lord’s encouragement and affirmation of each pastor. That’s very humbling – and motivating.

Thank you for sending Isaiah, Jasmin, Hebert and me to convey your blessing to church leaders in Haiti. We are honored to represent you and Jesus our Lord among dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We’ll sign our name to that!