ABHMS supports serving the stranger, building community in ABCMNY Haitian American churches

VALLEY FORGE, PA (04/22/2025)—Across the United States, many Haitian Baptist congregations and fellowships minister to Haitian Americans’ spiritual and cultural needs. These faith communities are concentrated in states with substantial Haitian populations, such as Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Many Haitian Baptist churches are affiliated with large national denominations such as American Baptist Churches USA. These affiliations provide resources, networking opportunities, and support for their ministries.

For Haitians and Haitian Americans in the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York (ABCMNY) region, Baptist congregations serve as places of worship and cultural hubs, preserving Haitian heritage and providing community support. Rev. Pierot Julien, a native of Haiti, coordinates the relationship between ABCMNY and its Haitian churches, visiting these congregations regularly and offering pastoral care. American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) first partnered with the region to make this position possible in 2020 and continues to support it through extension grants.

In 2025, Julien’s role involves providing multifaceted support to Haitians whose immigration status has been at risk following the legal changes made by the Trump administration. “I have a lot of people who text me, email me, call me, looking for help,” he said. “We keep them in our prayers. For the people with work permits, I encourage them to take some classes to acquire skills, and then I help them find jobs. In the last two months, I helped over fifty Haitian people find employment with just one company locally.”

“The coordinator for Haitian ministries is the most effective cultural and ecclesial link to our member Haitian congregations and other Haitian churches and leaders seeking affiliation in ABCMNY,” said Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley, executive minister of ABCMNY. “The role enables the region to provide coherence, connection, and mission opportunities regarding this community, which is often overlooked because of its mobility due to migration and emergencies, as well as language and cultural expressions.”

Pictured left to right: Rev. Dr. Cheryl Dudley, regional executive minister of ABCMNY; Rev. Pierot Julien, coordinator of relations between ABCMNY and Haitian Churches in the region; Rev. Abigail Medina Betancourt, ABHMS’ national coordinator for intercultural engagement.

According to Dudley, since the coordinator position was created, the region’s engagement with the Haitian churches has increased considerably. Haitian American Baptists participated in the ABC Mission Summit in June 2023, and a Haitian church in the region has joined ABCUSA.

“Rev. Julien provides the region with tailored attention to this changing community, which has specific historical, cultural, and language needs,” said Rev. Abigaíl Medina Betancourt, ABHMS’ national coordinator for intercultural engagement. “The coordinator is a vital bridge to connect the Haitian churches with the broader ABCUSA body.” At this time, providing leadership training, pastoral support, and opportunities for rest and rejuvenation to Haitian ministry leaders is crucial. Fostering networking opportunities with other Haitian and American church leaders can encourage collaboration and mutual support.

ABHMS is proud to stand with Haitian American Baptist churches and ABCMNY in the spirit of the Scriptural call to treat “the alien who resides with you … as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)

By supporting ABHMS, you can help Haitian American Baptists grow spiritually, build a stronger sense of community, and effectively navigate the complexities of immigrant life while remaining grounded in their faith.

By Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, ABHMS senior writer and associate editor of The Christian Citizen