When Pastor Derson travels to Village Demier from his home in Ouanaminthe, his journey is long and often difficult. It begins with a 20-minute walk—or a short moto ride when available—to the roadside station near his home. From there, it’s a 45-minute motorcycle ride to the town of Terrier-Rouge, followed by a 15-minute hike into the village itself.

He makes this trek three times a week, rain or shine. Many times, it’s rain.

“Some young people in the village say, ‘Pastor, won’t you get wet?’” he shares. “I always tell them, ‘It’s my pleasure to get soaked on your behalf.’”

Since moving to northern Haiti at the end of 2024 and beginning ministry in Village Demier full time in January, Pastor Derson has been faithfully planting seeds of hope in a place long without a church, a school, or access to basic resources. The village has a stronghold in voodoo and is marked by deep poverty and limited educational opportunities.

But slowly, through spiritual discipleship, practical aid, and consistent presence, the light of Christ is breaking through. Between January and June 2025, more than 300 villagers were reached through holistic outreach: evangelism, weekly youth gatherings, food distributions, solar lighting installation, medical aid, and discipleship training. Eight people accepted Christ. Three came back to the faith. Five young leaders are now guiding their peers in outreach.

We caught up with Pastor Derson to hear more about how the ministry is growing, what keeps him going, and how we can be praying.

Q&A with Pastor Derson

What has been the most encouraging thing personally for you about working in Village Demier?


Seeing how God is transforming people’s lives, like Philippe, a young man who was looking for pleasure in the world, who now finds pleasure in working for God. And Roselaur, who swore never to speak to some people, now in the same discipleship class with them. They even eat together. They are like a family now.

What do you miss about being at Victory Bible Church in Source Matelas?


I really miss VBC because it was there that God first used me, and it’s the area where I was born. I used to preach every week, lead Bible studies. I miss the children’s choir very much, I miss worshiping with Brother Cadet, the musicians, the youth. Honestly while I’m answering this question, it just revives the nostalgia in my heart.

How is your family adjusting to life in northern Haiti?


We have adapted well enough to northern Haiti. We rented a house in a village similar to where we lived in Cabaret, and we sent for all of our furniture. My wife goes to nursing school, Abigaëlle will go to preschool this year. Three times a week I go to Village Demier. Every night during the week we pray together. Sometimes we long for Source Matelas. The school in Ouanaminthe doesn’t have the same resources.

What are some of the topics you’ve covered with your discipleship team?

Since April, we’ve taught topics to lay the foundation of faith, such as salvation, assurance of salvation, how to overcome temptation, Jesus as LORD of all things; how to read the Bible, how to pray, how to have a daily devotional time; church, evangelization, baptism.

Have there been any surprising false beliefs about God that the youth had that you’ve been able to correct?


Yes, while we were evangelizing one day, we met a young woman in her 20s. She said she used to go to church when she was a child, but now she sees that it was a lie. I asked her if she could explain this to me—is she in the truth now? She replied that the church is only there to manipulate people, to enslave people, telling them not to do this or that (for example: wearing pants, etc.)—legalism. I proved that it was the words of men that enslaved her, not the words of God. Because in Jesus you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

What is most discouraging right now?


The poverty and lack of access to some essentials, especially among the youth. It is truly discouraging to see so many youth who cannot even afford a simple pair of sandals. Pastor Evald and I often spend days in the village without seeing a single cooking pot being lit, which clearly shows how dire the poverty is.

Also, lack of education. Their educational opportunities are so limited that it is difficult to even talk to them about certain topics, because they simply do not have basic knowledge. The only facility closest to them is a voodoo temple—there is no school, no church in the area. This lack of educational and spiritual institutions, coupled with the extreme poverty, is what I find most discouraging now.

What is God teaching you right now?


• I must not be partial, but support the most vulnerable: I must not only focus on those who are easy to help or who seem to be already on the right path. God is showing me the importance of reaching out to those who are most in need, even if they seem far from God or society.
• I must persevere, and not give up: When someone, especially a disciple, misses appointments, doesn’t want to do their homework, or talks during discipleship sessions, how do I react? Instead of getting angry or discouraged, God wants to teach me to be patient or try a different approach with them.
• I must learn dependence, and seek His will first: Instead of making decisions on my own, God is teaching me to ask Him first in prayer. This means not relying on my own wisdom, but rather seeking God’s direction and will in everything I do.

Anything specific we can be praying for—for you, your family, and your work?

Pray for my physical health, I often feel very tired.
 Pray I always hear God’s voice when I’m making a difficult decision.


Pray for my family: Abigaëlle who is going to school for the first time, for my wife who is in her 3rd year of nursing school, and for God to send us the means when we renew the house we rent in November.


Pray for my work in Vilaj Demye. Many parents have difficulty sending their children to school. Pray for more lives to be transformed as we do ministry in the village. Pray for God to send a reliable means of transportation to travel there to work.