Y-Knot Missions

Most of the pastors in Haiti are bi-vocational and have very little, if any, theological/ministry training. Pastors in Haiti are seen as the main leader in the villages and as a result, the majority of community decisions get passed through the pastor. Pastors in Haiti wear many different hats and have many different responsibilities, therefore YKM comes alongside each of the pastors we serve with to offer theological teachings and ministry training. Our trainings and teachings consist of biblical truth and a realistic and applicable approach to maintain and grow ministry in Haiti. We also host various topical teaching events for church members in the churches we serve with. Lastly, YKM serves alongside pastors to offer emotional, mental and financial support to both the pastor and church in times of need and struggle.

The cost of purchasing livestock in Haiti is unrealistic for most of the families that we work with and the pleasure of eating chicken, beef or goat at meals is oftentimes unattainable due to the high market prices. We started the livestock exchange program in the villages we serve in order to give people an opportunity to have livestock of their own. Owning livestock in Haiti gives people the opportunity to trade, eat or sell their livestock. Once you have one animal you can then start to expand your number of livestock. We start with a training for all of the people that will be involved in the program. We then give each person in the program one female animal and then they breed that animal with the male YKM animal we have in each village. In exchange for the original animal, YKM receives an animal from two of the first four births of that original animal.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere with an average daily income of less than $2.50. The constant fluctuation of the value of a dollar and unstable job market make financial security in Haiti extremely hard to come by. With the majority of people not having the ability to access a bank, it makes the opportunity to find a loan and get approved for a loan almost impossible. That is why YKM has a micro-finance loan program. We give small loans to people in the church and give them an ample amount of time to pay back the loan with a small interest rate of 5%. Our microfinance program is operating at a 98% success rate! We not only provide small loans in this program but teach budgeting, investing, saving and a biblical mindset and approach to money. With a small loan people are able to buy the things they need, invest in a business idea and start to take small steps to getting out of poverty.

If you were to ask a Haitian pastor their greatest need in their village they would say that having a quality school is their greatest need. Haitians value education and understand the importance of having a good quality education. However, because funding is an issue for the majority of the villages in Haiti, good-quality schools are only an idea and dream. YKM currently has three schools grades PK-6th, in the villages that we serve. We cover all expenses associated with the schools, provide leadership and organization for the schools, and work with the local and national government in order to ensure that our schools are meeting and exceeding the expectations set forth by the government. The children in the YKM schools are currently the most at-risk and most in need children in the villages we serve.