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"...and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
~2 Timothy 2:2 ESV
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Dear Ministry Partners,
Over the past five months, our Haitian brothers and sisters—across Haiti, the United States, Canada, and the Dominican Republic—have been carrying a heavy emotional burden. Challenges surrounding immigration in both the U.S. and the Dominican Republic have stirred deep fears, stress, and uncertainty.
At the same time, the continued spread of gang violence into new cities and villages in Haiti has brought profound grief and anxiety to countless families. Yet, even in the midst of these trials, we are reminded of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Your steadfast prayers and support have been a source of comfort and strength, helping us hold on to hope through every hardship.
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CHURCH PLANTING & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - USA & CANADA
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SW Presbytery Approves Licensure Exam in French for Haitian Leaders – A First!
*In November, 2025, Pastor Joel Cazeau from Montreal, Canada; Pastor Fredo Petit-Frere from Florida, and Dr. Guedy St. Germain were allowed to take the licensure exam in French. This was a first for our presbytery.
*Pastor Cazeau plans to plant a church in Montreal. I made several trips last year to Montreal to teach and to introduce some of our potential leaders to the presbytery in Canada. Photo: L-R Pastor Cazeau, Pastor Fredo and Dr. Guedy.
*Pastor Fredo: I have known and mentored for over a decade. He hopes to plant a church in Philadelphia. Grateful to the presbytery there and the leaders partnering with Pastor Fredo to see a reformed church planted among the Haitian diaspora.
*Dr. Guedy St. Germain is my younger brother and a vital partner in the ministry at the El Shaddai Community Church in Winter Haven, FL.
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CHURCH PLANTING - FLORIDA
On April 5, El Shaddai Community Church in Winter Haven, FL celebrated its 5th anniversary. By God's grace, this church was planted during COVID. Early in Janaury, we were not sure what would happen as fear spread across our community due to immigration issues. The attendance dropped significantly, but praise God in March, nine new members were added to the church, and on Easter Sunday, we had a wonderful celebration of the Risen Savior!
*Our hope is for El Shaddai Community Church to be a training church for Haitian church planters and pastors.
*To date, we have a church in Palm Bay, FL affliated with El Shaddai Community Church, and another in Winter Haven desiring affliation.
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CELEBRATION TIME - MONTREAL, CANADA
Over the past 4 years, I have been traveling to Montreal twice a year to teach hermeneutics and homiletics. Several pastors and church leaders faithfully attended these trainings. I taught my last lesson to this group in May. To celebrate this 4-year journey, the students held a gradution service. May God use these students to expand His kingdom work in Montreal and beyond!
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LEADERSHIP TRAINING - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Yes, my calling to teach Haitian pastors and church leaders continues to take me wherever there is a diaspora. The Gospel brings hope. In the Dominican Republic, there are between 800,000 to 1 million Haitians. There too, the diaspora has experienced great suffering.
I had the opportunity in April to meet with a small leadership team I have been training for over 5 years in homiletics and hermenutics, similar to what I taught in Montreal. They in turn are now training others. Then, in the evenings, I taught a Christology class to Haitian leaders who are part of the Reformed churches in the DR. I praise God for the hope offered in His Word.
| | EVANGELISM: CHURCH PLANTING & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN HAITI | | |
Since January, I have traveled also to Haiti four times doing leadership training and teaching classes on Ethics: twice in Cap-Haitienne, once in Gonaives and most recently, a trip to Jeremie.
Photo: Leadership training in Cap-Haitienne
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It is always a blessing to meet with the leadership team of each department where ESMI/MERH is doing ministry. This is a time of prayer, vision casting and strategic planning for church planting.
Photo: June 2, 2026 in Jeremie
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Church Planting in Limbe, Cap-Haitienne - Concrete Roof Completed!
You may recall in our last e-newsletter about the growth of the new church plant in Limbe and the need for a cement roof. Praise God for those who generously contributed. Now an estimated 750 people can worship without hindrance of the glaring sun or impeding rain. Below are the before and after photos.
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Youth Camp & Evangelism in Jeremie
While thousands celebrated Carnaval in the streets of Jeremie, some of our young people chose to gather for a week to study the Scripture, worship, fellowship and be discipled. The courageous decision to counter-program Carnaval with the Gospel is a testimony to the spiritual hunger of our Haitian youth.
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ESMI/MERH Convention -
August 25 - 31, 2026
In 2018, ESMI after planting more than 150 churches in the reformed faith, realized the need for a unifying denominational structure. In response, Mission des Églises Réformées d’Haïti (MERH)—the Reformed Churches of Haiti—was established in 2019 as a nationally recognized denomination by Haiti's Ministry of Culture.
In May 2021, ESMI began hosting national conventions, bringing together churches from across the country. These gatherings served as a catalyst for:
- Theological training and encouragement
- Strategic planning for church planting
- Pastoral fellowship and accountability
- Casting vision for national expansion
Our last convention, held in 2023, drew about 4,000 participants. However, due to gang violence and unrest, the convention was canceled in 2024 and 2025.
This year, the MERH executive team is prayerfully preparing for the next national convention, scheduled for August 25–31 in Jérémie. While there is still unrest and resources are limited, we are trusting God to protect and provide because the churches are longing and needing this spritual refreshment.
Approximately $15,000 is needed
to help feed and host the many
who will travel to attend.
Please join us in praying that God will provide these funds, grant wisdom in the planning process, ensure safety for all participants, and pour out His Spirit in a powerful way.
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EDUCATION: Investing in Haiti's Future Leaders
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57 schools, Kindergarten - 12th Grade, across the island of Haiti.
- 13,000 students served lunch.
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University of Jeremie with extensions in two other citites: Casa Major and Gonaives.
- 6 students studying medicine in Santiago de Cuba.
In late March, I visited our medical students. Both Sherline and Schneidrice will graduate from medical school this July. We praise God for those who have supported them financially and with many prayers. Both plan to return to Haiti for a year of social service, as required by the Haitian government. Praise God for His work in and through these young women. They grew up in Cite Soleil, a tough neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, and were at the ESMI Children's Village in Port-au-Prince during the 2010 earthquake. They later moved to Cayes and then to the Children's Village in Lundi, Jeremie, where they completed their high school studies. Now, look what God has done! To Him be the glory!
Photo Below: L-R :Sherline and Schneidrice
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EMPATHY: Meeting Food Insecurity & Housing Needs
Food insecurity in Haiti is affecting about 52% or 5.8 million people in Haiti. Because of God's faithfulness and your support, in the past 5 months, ESMI:
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Received 5 food containers and securely distributed these from Cap-Haitienne in the north to as far as Jeremie in southern Haiti.
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5 Containers = 1.5 million meals fortified rice and soy protein meal packages from Feed My Starving Children.
- 13,000 students in ESMI schools fed.
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ESMI/MERH pastors conducted two food distribution since January 2026.
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2 additional apartments built for displaced families due to gang violence.
- Total of 18 aprtments to date, housing 136 people.
- 1 two-bedroom apartment costs $15,000
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3 Food Containers Expected This Summer
Help ESMI raise
$45,000/$15,000 each
to ship container from USA to Southern Haiti
Each container carries between $79,000 - $81,000
worth of meal packages
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5-Month Impact Summary
- 13,000 - Students fed daily in ESMI's 57 schools
- 2.3million - Meals served per school year
- 18 - Apartments built in Gonaives
- 136 - Formerly displaced people now have a home
- 5 - Food containers received and securely distributed since January
- 10+ - Pastoral and leadership training events
- 2 - Medical students to graduate in July 2026
- 4 - Countries served: Canada, Dominican Republic, Haiti, USA
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PRAYERS FOR HAITI & OUR HAITIAN COMMUNITIES
- Pray for protection of our team and ministry partners.
- Pray for funds, $15,000, to build homes in Gonaives for displaced families.
- Pray for our pastors an their families for strength, protection and encouragement as they serve.
- Pray for the planned church plant in Montreal, Canada, serving the Haitian diaspora.
- Pray for the 2 graduating medical students and their return to Haiti.
- Pray for God's provision of the $15,000 to host this year's convention in Jeremie, August 25-31, and His blessing and protection.
- Pray for funding of the ongoing food distribution program this summer in the amount of $45,000, $15,000 per container. This is an increase of $1,500 since our last e-newsletter due to gas prices.
- Pray for the 350,000 Haitians with Temporary Protective Status (TPS) awaiting the Supreme Court's judgment.
- Pray for the thousands who have already returned to Haiti but have no jobs and no secure housing.
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Personal Family News - Twin Daughters Graduated!
Thanks to everyone who have prayed for our family. Sarah Joy and Gracianna graduated from high school and, Lord's willing, will attend Belhaven University in the fall. We count on your continued prayers for our daughters on this new journey.
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Grateful to each and everyone of you as you have faithfully prayed and given financially to this ministry of training Haitian pastors and leaders for church planting.
In His Service,
Dony St. Germain
| | | | Serving the Haitian communities in Haiti, USA, Canada, and the Dominican Republic through leadership development and church planting! | | |
WAYS TO GIVE
To donate online, go to the DONATE NOW button
OR
Send a check to:
El Shaddai Ministries Int'l, Inc.
c/o The Keyes Company
2121 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 100
Miami, FL 33129
Please note new suite number, 100, when mailing checks.
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"And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Philippians 4:19-20 (ESV)
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El Shaddai Ministries International, Inc.
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"Transforming Haiti One City at a Time"
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