Equipping the Next Generation in Haiti
Rev. Carl and Maya Gilles, Global Partners Francophone area directors, began the Equip Haiti initiative in 2010 upon their return to Carl’s home country. He had graduated from Kingswood University (Bethany Bible College at the time), gained ministerial experience serving at a church in Moncton and felt the need to equip the rising generations with leadership skills.
“When we started this initiative, it was because I really felt called to do this in Haiti, because of a need for leadership training,” Carl explained. “And thankfully, God gave me the right support to do this. And we did, we did the training in Haiti for 10 years.”
As Carl and David-Kensley Santil, national secretary and national education leader for the Church in Haiti, reflected on some of the leaders that rose out of this Equip Haiti initiative, they began to celebrate the stories one by one. And still, there are many more!
They celebrated Windel Etienne, who had been a student at the start of Equip Haiti. Following his training, there was a plan to send a few students to Burkina Faso to experience three months of cross-cultural ministry, and Windel was chosen to be part of this group.
Everyone was excited about the ministry the students participated in, yet no one thought they’d return to Burkina Faso full time. But God led Windel to leave his studies to become a lawyer behind, and make his return to Burkina Faso for full time ministry.
Five and a half years later, with a hard-earned masters from Indiana Wesleyan University, he transitioned to serve in the Ivory Coast.
“He’s been doing a great job in the French area training leaders online,” Carl said. “We are doing a lot of online training right now for leaders all around the French area, and Windel has been the catalyst in this.”
Dinal, Merline and Jasmin, graduates of Kingswood University, are helping to lead Equip Haiti forward.
Carl and David also celebrated Pastor TiDieuseul, who benefitted from Equip Haiti as well. He served as the National Youth President in Haiti for eight years, and when studying at Wesley Seminary for a Master of Divinity, God led his steps to start a church. Now the director of evangelism in Haiti, he’s been able to work closely with the Church.
And of course, they celebrated Merline, Dinal and Jasmin – all students trained by Equip Haiti who received scholarships to attend Kingswood University, where they have since graduated. They are now the future of Equip Haiti, joining David-Kensley in the leadership of this new team.
Though the three haven’t returned to Haiti yet, they’re doing what they can to revive Equip Haiti and to continue training young people.
“There’s a verse in the Bible that says ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’” David-Kensley said. “And it is through that perspective that we feel we have to invest, because we receive much. We want to see how we can invest in Haiti with what God has given us.”
Even David-Kensely, the driver of the Equip Haiti resurgence, benefited from the initiative as a young person. In his career, he’s been the National Director for Education in Haiti, the National Secretary for the Church in Haiti, the Country Leader for World Hope International in Haiti and recently completed his Master’s in Education as a result of a Global Partners initiative, Amplified Leaders.
Maya and Carl Gilles (center) helped lead Equip Haiti for 10 years.
In fact, all individuals who are part of the revival of Equip Haiti benefited from it themselves, as young people. The time has come for them to return the gift to others.
Ultimately, these stories of celebration illustrate the investment The Wesleyan Church has made in young people, David-Kensley explained. They are seeing the fruit of that investment.
“I believe that if we continue this kind of initiative and training, this is not only going to transform The Wesleyan Church in Haiti, but will have an impact on the whole country,” David-Kensley said.
The initial focus for Equip Haiti will be on leadership, personal development, counseling and education.
“As we watch and realize the impact Equip Haiti has had on young people, and even on our pastors and leaders, we’re excited to see this initiative continuing … but also going beyond what we were doing before,” David-Kensley said.
…“‘TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED,’” DAVID-KENSLEY SAID.
Someday, Carl also hopes that Equip Haiti will extend beyond Haiti and into other French speaking countries. Though he acknowledged the initiative needs to begin with a focus on Haiti first, he said he’s looking forward to seeing how Equip Haiti could potentially equip other French countries and young people around the world.
“We want to thank all those who have given towards this program, and we want to also thank Global Partners who has invested in so many people who today are having an impact in different areas of the world,” David-Kensley said. “I believe God will not stop blessing those people.”
Please join us in praying for these efforts in Haiti. If you’d like to learn more or are interested in giving, please email info@gponline.org.