By James Floyd, Pastor, Shiloh Community Church
How in the world does a church in rural western Michigan end up developing a partnership with a Haitian Church in the Dominican Republic? Well, it is kind of a long story.
In the Summer of 2021, shortly after I began serving as the Senior Pastor of Shiloh Community Church in Orleans, Michigan, I received a call from Gary Rohrmayer. In addition to welcoming me to Converge MSC, Gary talked with me about taking a vision trip to the Caribbean to see the amazing work God is doing through our sister churches. There were lots of things I knew that I needed to do to begin the revitalization of the church I was called to pastor, and taking a trip to the Caribbean was not something that I could do in the first twelve months. I thanked Gary for the call and told him that I would keep the opportunity in mind and in my prayers. That was not just a line to get off the phone. I really did begin praying and having conversations with Shiloh’s Leadership Board and our Missions and Evangelism Team.
In 2023, I was at an “All Together” Group gathering in Grand Rapids, and happened to sit at a table with Ernie Cabrera, the Vice President of Church Partnerships. I talked with him about Shiloh’s desire to develop a partnership with a church in the Caribbean. We were not looking to just send a check, but rather to develop a relationship that is mutually beneficial. Ernie was excited to hear this and encouraged me to set up a Vision Trip to the Dominican Republic.
In January of 2024, two members of our Leadership Board, one member of our Missions and Evangelism Team, and I traveled down to the Dominican Republic with Ernie. He had set up a number of visits with pastors and church networks. We spent a few days driving, meeting, and praying. Our team formed a friendship with a local Converge MSC pastor who was serving as our interpreter and driver, Elysee Thelemaque. We had a number of conversations with Elysee about life and ministry. Our Shiloh Team had made the decision to not make promises or commitments based on our emotions or desire to meet needs. We committed to return home to Michigan and spend a month praying before making any decisions.
After the month of prayer, we all agreed that we wanted to continue to explore partnering with Pastor Elysee and his church, Iglesia Comunidad Multicultural (ICM) en Creole in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic. We began having conversations with him via WhatsApp on a group chat we named “Don’t Forget DR.” Sometimes we simply say hi, other times we encourage one another with prayers. Last month, we had the opportunity to sponsor Elysee so he could attend the S2 East Conference. He stayed with a family from Shiloh and worshipped with us that Sunday. Elysee also had the opportunity to act as an interpreter for Justin McFarland, church planter at Restore Church in Muskegon, for a meeting Justin set up to assist local agencies who are helping Haitian Refugees in the Muskegon area. During Elysee’s visit we began planning our next trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic. We will be supporting the ministry of ICM en Creole by joining them in their evangelism activities and showing the “Jesus Film” in Haitian Creole.
We are grateful for the opportunity that being a part of Converge MSC provided us to not only join God in what He is doing to reach the nations with the Gospel, but also to develop a friendship with a brother. We definitely believe we are better when we serve together.
Pastor Elysee recently shared that “If everyone can go to places [such as] DR, Haiti and Cuba, they will be able to see lots of ways to pray for the churches. Little things can make big differences. Sometimes pastors feel alone, their country’s problems can close their eyes to see what God is doing in the Caribbean. As God blesses you physically to [visit] those countries, it can be an encouragement for the churches around the world.”