My friend, Tim Meyers, painted a mental picture of missions for me that shapes my thinking to this day. Tim was born in Australia but grew up in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, where his dad flew for Missionary Aviation Fellowship. He has some stories! We met in Dallas during our seminary years, became good friends and had a lot of conversations. During one of those talks, Tim shared with me:

Imagine that a doctor lands in an area filled with scores of sick people. As the plane lands, people surround it crying for help. The doctor is filled with compassion. He is tempted to grab his medical bag and get to work. Who wouldn’t be? Is that the way to help the greatest number of people? He could attend to the sick from dawn to dusk for a few days before he collapsed from exhaustion.

What if instead, filled with compassion, the doctor identifies people in the crowd well enough to walk, trains them to record vital signs, treat fevers and cleanse wounds while he attends to people with life-threatening symptoms. Over just a few days, how many more people could they help? The number would be multiplied!

This word picture aligns with Scripture (for example, Ephesians 4:11-15 and 2 Timothy 2:2) and continues to shape my thinking about missions and church ministry to this day.

Matthew tells us that Jesus traveled throughout northern Israel with his disciples, helping those in need and proclaiming God’s good news to them. He was moved with compassion for people’s physical and spiritual needs. What was His solution?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

The Lord‘s response is, “We need more workers in the harvest! Let’s pray for that.” And His example of training His followers demonstrates that Jesus wants not just warm bodies, but better workers, laborers trained in heart, character and skill.

Here’s the reality today: The church is growing fastest in nations with the fewest opportunities for church leaders to be trained. Global mission leaders tell us that most pastors in poor countries have little to no intentional Bible and ministry training. That aligns with what I have found in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Malawi and Guatemala – “third world” nations where I have had the privilege of spending time with church leaders. These Kingdom workers love Christ and His people. They’re filled with the Spirit and working hard in ministry, usually without pay. They sacrifice deeply and often suffer for the sake of the gospel. But they also struggle and fail unnecessarily because they lack encouragement, Biblical and practical ministry training, and resources.

That’s the reality – and the huge opportunity for people like us. This need to raise up more and better Kingdom workers must rank as one of our highest priorities in missions.

And that’s why I’m excited to get back to Haiti next week. Please pray for our ministry team as we lead three PPI courses in two cities in northern Haiti. We anticipate full courses (112 church leaders in each) and effective times together. Our joy – and priority – is to work behind the scenes to raise up more and better Kingdom workers in Haiti. Thank you for standing with us in prayer and financial support as we do!

YEAR-END REPORT AND THANK YOU

When we’re in Haiti, someone on our ministry team usually preaches for the church that hosts our training. This is one way we thank and honor our host pastors. In Ouanaminthe, where most of our Haitian ministry team live, we do our best to speak in each of our team members’ churches as well. These times of worship and fellowship with Haitian believers challenge our thinking and move our hearts.

In December, Tony de Bari, PPI Board member, had the opportunity to speak in Pastor Ulrick’s church while I preached at our host church. (Ulrick is a PPI ministry team member.) Here are some of Tony’s thoughts on his time in a typical Haitian church:

For me, this was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had in church. . . . [T]his church had none of the splendor and majesty of those cathedrals [I have visited], it was just sticks and tin. However, it had people who worshiped God as He should be worshiped—with songs of praise and thanks. God obviously doesn’t care what the church looks like—this one is just sticks and tin, but He does care about the people in them. He desires praise and glory, and He certainly got it today. 

These people, some of whom have no idea where their next meal will come from, or even if they will get shot by some of the gangs in Haiti, devote an entire Sunday morning to praise and worship of the God who provides. They understand that all they have comes from Him. . . . 

Our goal and our joy are to encourage, train and resource church leaders like Ulrick all across Haiti and beyond. Godly, well-trained pastors feed, lead and love their congregations on the foundation of Scripture led by the Holy Spirit. Growing, spiritually healthy congregations impact their neighborhoods with practical help and powerful hope in Christ. This is what we’re seeing in Haiti as pastors deepen their understanding of God’s Word, Christ-like character and wise church leadership. This is the lasting fruit of your faithful prayers and financial support!

In 2023, the Lord enabled us to train 752 church leaders in 7 training courses in 5 cities in Haiti. That’s an investment of 120 hours of foundational ministry training for pastors! Through our courses, we awarded 584 Thompson Bibles and distributed 1210 Creole Bibles for their churches. Thanks be to God!

IN 2024

In 2024, we plan to offer 11 PPI courses in 8 key cities in 4 Departments of Haiti. That will enable us to train over 1200 church leaders! We also want to introduce PPI training to pastors in one additional country this year. Accomplishing all that in 2024 will take $169,000. That’s $30,000 more than PPI’s total income in 2023. Will you help us?

“We walk by faith not by sight” as we pursue these plans  (2 Cor 5:7). Thank you for walking with us in training pastors and strengthening churches – and whole communities! – in Haiti. Know that you are a vital Kingdom worker with us on the supplies line of prayer and giving. May the Lord provide for you and fill you with His joy as you invest your life every day of 2024 in what matters for eternity!

Happy New Year and thank you,

Ken for all of us

Not every Christmas is like this one. This Christmas was extra special for a lot of reasons. Our children and grandkids came home for the holiday, except for Kurt and Jen, our youngest son and his wife. They announced to us on Christmas Day (via phone) that Jen is pregnant with their first baby. We cheered and cried. This is an answer to prayer!

This also was the year of our MacGillivray family Christmas gathering. I was dragging a little from our trip to Haiti, but I wouldn’t miss it! Nearly 40 family members gathered at Mom’s house to catch up, have dinner, and celebrate the coming of the One who changed the course of our family. What a special time!

God gave us special gifts this past week in Haiti. Our team of five Americans and five Haitians hosted PPI’s Courses 4 and 1 in northeastern Haiti for around 240 church leaders. Everyone dove into the details of the training, and I was so moved to see the Lord using each of our team members in special ways. The Haitian team led most of Course 1 to enable us Americans to get back home in time for Christmas with our families. Watch highlights of our December training HERE.

With the generous support of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (Michigan Chapter) and New Life Fellowship’s men’s ministry, Pastor Isaiah was able to buy a much-needed motorcyle (complete with helmets for him and Celina). This is a HUGE blessing to Isaiah’s family and also to PPI as we continue to expand our training across Haiti. Donate toward 2024 pastors training HERE.

We hope all of you had a special Christmas, too, worshipping our Savior Jesus with the multitudes of heavenly hosts! Thank you all for your warm encouragement, faithful prayers and generous support. We’re looking forward to an extra special 2024 of training hundreds of church leaders across Haiti and beyond!

Hi, Everyone. We’re here in Haiti! I started an update a few days ago but haven’t had a chance to finish it until now. Preparation, leading training, conversations, visits, and more preparation fill our days.

Besides a windy landing in Fort Lauderdale, we had good flights to Haiti on Friday and Saturday morning. Pastor Isaiah met us at the airport with hugs and smiles, and we took a taxi van to Ouanaminthe. Then we hit the ground running! We met with our Haitian team to catch up and pray – more hugs and smiles – then  worked together into the evening to prepare for our courses, knowing we wouldn’t have time on Sunday. The guys loved our new team T-shirts! (Thank you again for giving toward them.) Isaiah, Jerry and I slipped out for an hour to visit Pastor Philogene, our long-time friend and host pastor for our two courses this week.

Pastor Philo (as we call him) embodies the Biblical qualities of a pastor/elder in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 – welcoming, encouraging, praying for and feeding all who come to his door. He is such an example and blessing to us!

Our team split up on Sunday. Tony spoke at Ulrick’s church (Ulrick is a PPI team member, pictured below sporting our new ministry team T-shirt), accompanied by Jerry and Hebert. Tony told us afterward that he was very moved by his time at the church (stay tuned for Tony’s account). Dawn, Brian and I went to Pastor Philogene’s church, which is hosting our training this week. I had the privilege of giving the morning message with Pastor Isaiah translating.

After lunch we drove to the Apostolic Church of Ouanaminthe to celebrate the very first graduation of the Evangelical Theological College. Pastor Jasmin Joseph, one of PPI’s key team members, established the college three years ago. He is a gifted leader and godly pastor, and we have made it a priority to encourage him and support this important effort. The Evangelical Theological College draw students from all across the North and Northeast Departments of Haiti. Our team enjoyed the ceremony. Jerry and Dawn spoke to the graduates, Brian took pictures and video for Jasmin, and Isaiah and I organized diplomas. I loved the opportunity to help Jasmin “behind the scenes” as he does so often for me. Pastor Jasmin thanked PPI and Jerry for our encouragement and support of the Bible College – a very special moment for us!

For the last three days (Monday-Wednesday), we have been immersed in PPI Course 4 – Make Disciples: How do we do it? Brian tackled registration and attendance with gusto, helped by Jasmin, Hebert and Dawn. Tony, Jerry, Ulrick and Michel organized our materials, and Isaiah and I set up our speaker and mics and led the training. Over 90 church leaders registered for the course, one came all the way from Port au Prince. They were excited and ready to learn and discuss!

When we offer a PPI course for the first time, I like to take the lead in teaching it. That helps me streamline and improve the course for future training. At the end of each day, I makes notes on the feedback from our team and others and also add my own notes and edits. I take all that back to the U.S., revise the course in English then Creole, and print the next edition of the workbooks. We’ll offer Course 4 again in February in Cap-Haitien.

Although I led this new course, I asked Tony, Brian and Dawn to speak at strategic points in the training. Tony shared his personal story, what the Lord used to move him from atheism to faith in Christ. He concluded with Isaiah chapter 6. After encountering the Lord, Isaiah responded to God’s questions, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” with “Here am I, Lord. Send me!” God not only forgives us, Tony emphasized, but also calls us to a life of purpose.

Brian was not feeling well yesterday (Wednesday) morning so Dawn spoke for both of them. She shared  how the Lord has helped them grow in Christ as a couple. She told some of their story then related opportunities and practices God has used to draw them closer to each other and to Him. Church leaders soaked it in.

This morning (Thursday) we begin Course 1. Please pray for all of us – our Haitian and American team – as we welcome a new group of church leaders and open the Scriptures together. At our Course 4 wrap-up meeting yesterday afternoon, Michel prayed, “In Christ, there is no color, race or nationality. We are one family in You, serving together in Your mission.” Amen!

Merry Christmas in the One who came to bring peace on earth and God’s favor to all peoples.