Faith Amid Hardship: CCI’s Ministry Perseveres in Haiti

Greetings Ministry Partners,

The past several months have been a great time of growth and development for CCI in the North American region. New classes started in Mexico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Two graduations, with 48 new graduates, were held in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Classes in Canada continue to progress, and new classes are planned to start in early 2025. Several classes in the U.S. are progressing toward graduation this year.  

Among our students, we have several men who are serving as pastors but feel inadequately prepared or equipped to serve their churches. They heard about the training available through CCI and jumped at the opportunity to receive training while continuing to serve their people. The low cost, local availability, comprehensiveness of training, and biblical focus continue to draw them to the ministry. Each of them has expressed how practical the training has been and how it has almost immediately impacted their ministries. 

We appreciate your prayers and support.

Ric Hesse

CCI N. America & Caribbean Regional Director

Haiti & The Dominican Republic

This month, I would like to highlight the work of Pastor Louis Saindius in Gonaives, Haiti. Pastor Saindius leads the ministry in the region surrounding Gonaives, Haiti. This region has seven classes being led by four teachers in five villages. The students and teachers have been experiencing increasing violence and hardship from gang activity moving into the area. Recently, two of the students were kidnapped by gangs for ransom. Through faith and dedication, they decided to continue the classes, though with increased caution. By the grace of God, both the students were released safely. Recently, one of the classes graduated with nine students completing their training. Nearly all the current students attended the graduation as a show of support. 

One of the graduates is a member of the Haitian National Police and a Police Commissioner. He stands on the front lines of the battle against evil and lawlessness and is now better equipped with the full armor of God to lead his officers well. 

Pastor Saindius is one of five staff members overseeing and leading the ministry in Haiti. These are troubled and difficult times, and the staff in Haiti covet the prayers and support of their brothers and sisters of faith around the world. If you feel moved to support the staff in Haiti, please click the button below to help provide for their financial needs.

Last month, Pastor Louis Saindius led a graduation attended by nine graduates. During the graduation event, which was conducted in person and streamed online, Pastor Saindius promoted the ministry. This allowed him to share the ministry and the availability of training with a wide range of people.

The graduates and teachers are pictured, along with Pastor Saindius, the area coordinator, on the far right.

The recent graduates are in blue gowns, and other CCI students in white shirts attended to congratulate their brothers and sisters on completing the training.

This graduate and his wife recently graduated from Gonaives. The man is a police commissioner and a member of the Haitian National Police.  

Staff Update:

• Pastor Jean Calixte is still in the U.S. on humanitarian parole. He has inquired about changing his status to an R-1 Visa, but that would have to be applied for from outside the country through a U.S. Consulate. The challenges here are numerous since his current status does not allow reentry into the U.S., and the U.S. Consulate in Haiti has stopped processing visa applications. His current status expires in 2026. Pastor Calixte continues functioning as an area coordinator, guiding people he has prepared and trained. He has people working with MFI to keep books and materials flowing into Haiti. They have distributed the graduation certificates for the graduation in Gonaives to Pastor Saindius and Pastor Solomon in Les Cayes. He has also made sure books needed are distributed to teachers and orders are requested and processed for upcoming class needs.  
• Pastor David Castille continues to teach three classes weekly and actively visits the other classes in the region. Pastor David is on the road four days a week, visiting and teaching classes. In addition, he held two conferences in Haiti in December to promote the ministry.
• Pastor Louis Saindius presided over a live graduation that was streamed online. This provided a tremendous opportunity to share CCI's ministry with a much wider audience.  
• Pastor Clautaire Dorestant traveled to Jeremie for two days, during which he was able to meet with Pastor Michel Wilner of Bethany Baptist Church and share the ministry of CCI.
• Pastor Maxene Mecien traveled to the Northwest Department, to Grace Baptist Church in Boucan Carre, to meet with Pastor Destine on December 5. On Dec 19th, he traveled to Cabaret in the North Department to meet with Pastor Lubin Hean Robert, where he was able to share the ministry of CCI.  

Mexico

Keith Arnold, the Area Coordinator for Northern Mexico, reports that he is actively working with seven dedicated teachers who collectively lead 37 students, impacting six churches in Sonora, Mexico. Keith continues to work with local pastors, denomination staff, and visiting missionaries to promote CCI and inform them about how CCI could support their efforts. 

He is helping one of his students plant and organize a church. He has also been offering his help translating for visiting mission teams, which has given him several new contacts among churches and denominations in the region. His wife, Jenny, has started an outreach to women in the area centered on domestic duties, fellowship, prayer, and Bible reading.  

Keith said, "One of the most encouraging aspects of our ministry has been witnessing the personal growth of each student. The curriculum has reshaped how they study the Bible, which has impacted not only their faith but also their everyday lives. One by one, students share how their perspectives and reactions to life's challenges are becoming godly, peaceful, and Christ-centered. It's clear that God's truth is taking root in their hearts, and the ripple effect on families and communities is beautiful to witness."

Gabriel Yescas, a student and certified teacher in Caborca, Sonora, Mexico, talks about the impact of the CCI curriculum. Click here or on the video below to hear his testimony.

Crossing Cultures International

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