Blog

The Ezra Institute School of Leadership is RMI’s newest initiative.  We have been committed to child education for years through our Hope for Kidz Child Sponsorship Program.  The Ezra Institute is aimed at high school graduates who have demonstrated leadership potential and been vetted by their spiritual leadership.  The goal is to equip and empower students to lead in their church, workplace, and community through a Biblical worldview. The Ezra Institute desires for students to Learn It, Live It, and Lead It (Ezra 7:10). First (Learn It), they will get a relevant and quality education that elevates their walk with Christ, leadership skills, and vocational skills. Secondly (Live It), students will be mentored by mature local leaders. This will provide the opportunity to practice what they are learning as they engage with their local communities.  Finally (Lead It), after completing the program, students will be equipped to be godly disciple-makers,

*Important Information* RMI is NOT leaving Haiti; however, we are expanding into the Dominican Republic (DR).  This means that RMI will be in both countries, covering the island of Hispaniola.  We’ve received word of some confusion on this, so we wanted to ensure everyone understands what is happening.  The Starkeys were ministering in Haiti, but RMI has asked them to move to the DR to pioneer RMI’s work there.  They have embraced this move and are very excited about this new opportunity.  Ministry in the DR will be unique.  Over 1 million Haitians live there, providing opportunities to minister to Haitians and Dominican Christians. Dominican Republic Update Last month’s Ministry Highlights shared many of the steps the Starkeys are going through to move from Haiti and the US to the DR.  God has gone before them, and things are coming together in a timely manner. Pioneering a new work is

 Hope for Kidz Haiti Update Frantz Desire, RMI’s Hope for Kidz Supervisor, writes, “We thank God for His grace and mercy upon the HFKz ministry. It is great because God allowed us to help many kids go to a hospital and get medical care this year.” Frantz shared, “There have been a lot of testimonies and gratefulness that have been received from the parents of the kids that we were helping. For example, I will pick up some names in the list to share some details with you. First, we have Marvens Joseph, this child is in Picot. The situation was very difficult for him and his family. He was hit by a car while he was going to school. His family was not able to take him to hospital. We sat down with his mother and arranged to send him to the hospital.  It took about three months for

  Haiti Update Haiti’s capital has been mired in gang-fueled violence, kidnappings, and instability for several months.  Right now, there is cautious optimism for the country as they have actually been able to install a presidential commission to begin to try to bring order back to this chaotic situation. The task ahead of this 9-person commission is huge. They have to somehow curb the power of the gangs in the capital, help usher in an international security force to bring back long-term law and order so that they can organize elections to elect a new government which then would take over as the official government of Haiti.  They need our prayers. RMI, in the midst of these things, continues to function normally for which we are very thankful. The south continues to enjoy overall peace and security. Our team is out every day going all over the peninsula as they

RMI is pleased to announce that we are opening the Dominican Republic as our new field!  For a few years, the Lord has laid the Dominican Republic (DR) on our hearts.  Not only is ministry available to the Dominican people but also to the over one million Haitians that live there.   Last year we began the process of inquiry as to the opportunities there for our C3 Partnership Program as well as our style of ministry. We found that working in the DR would be a natural extension of our ministry in Haiti due to the many Haitians living in the DR. We met with Haitian church leaders to see what the real needs were and whether RMI would be able to have a part in helping meet those needs. The needs shared were heartbreaking and varied. We came away knowing that RMI has great potential to bring hope and

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hit just north of the barrier island of Sanibel, off the coast of Fort Myers, Florida.  One of the worst storms in Florida’s history, it packed winds of 155 miles per hour, just shy of Category 5 speeds, and propelled an 8–15-foot storm surge that “overwashed” Sanibel – that is, submerged it in seawater. Many homes and businesses were washed away while many others were heavily damaged.  The road to the island was even washed out. Nothing escaped unscathed, not even Sanibel Community Church.  The church campus was heavily damaged.  Even though their homes were destroyed or heavily damaged too, the congregation came together to rip out the flooring, take out damaged pews and equipment, and sheetrock all over the campus.  Their property was used as a staging area for relief efforts on the island.   They didn’t feel their pain alone, though.  Their Haitian

Hope for Kidz is a program that has had a dramatic impact on the lives of not just kids by providing them hope through education but also their families, their churches, their communities, and their schools. It is a huge help in this time of unprecedented inflation and runaway costs in Haiti. However, because of the extreme situation RMI is facing, we must raise the cost of sponsorship by $5, from $35 to $40 a month. This decision was made after much deliberation, discussion, and prayer, and with the blessing of the RMI Board.  Here is why.  Since the beginning of last year, RMI has recognized that we were facing an issue that needed a solution or we would have a serious financial deficit in the Haiti operations budget. RMI has been having to draw out of our very limited reserves thousands of dollars every month to subsidize their budget

There have been a lot of things that have hindered or postponed growth and ministry in Haiti.  Once again gang activity in the capital resulted in the need to cancel teams.  We are thankful that our headquarters and most of the areas where we minister in southern Haiti are located remain quiet and safe.  The local police have taken a very tough stance against any gang influence.  A domestic airline flies between the capital and the airport in Cayes, allowing safe travel in and out of the country.  Having dedicated staff has also helped ministry continue to take place.  Here is how 2023 went. C3 Partnerships 185 salvations in our C3 Haitian Sister Churches 115 baptisms in our C3 Haitian Sister Churches 48 rededications 235 Bible/songbooks distributed 2 church constructions 325 Good News Bibles distributed Hope for Kidz, School Education, and Hot Lunch Program 2,322 children sponsored in the first

Hello. This is Rob Thompson emailing you. This is clearly not about me, but yes, it’s me! Hello! You haven’t heard from me in 5+ years. I’m not officially serving with RMI, but RMI has given their blessing to this effort. I’m currently a pastor in NJ. Yet, I love my brothers and sisters in Haiti. I can’t stand by any longer. I have to do something. Something tangible. Something that moves the needle. I believe in a bright future for Haiti. I love what the team is doing. What I’m seeing from a distance burdens me deeply. I’m sure it does the same to you. This is my chance to make a difference. It’s our chance. Let’s do this together. Problem: Our friends in Haiti are struggling financially. You’ve seen the news. Gangs control the country because they control Port au Prince. Inflation is out of control. The exchange

With Giving Tuesday coming up on Nov. 28, we thought it was important to share with you about MinistryWatch.  When you want to verify the funds you donate to an organization are being used responsibly, it is important to research them on an independent website such as MinistryWatch.   “MinistryWatch is an advocate for TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and the renewed CREDIBILITY of Christian ministries.” according to their website.  Recently MinistryWatch featured RMI in their June 19 edition of Ministries That Make a Difference. “Through its Hope for Kidz program, Reciprocal Ministries International (RMI) gained sponsorships for 2,991 Haitian children, fed hot lunch to 14,706 students, built 13 hot food storage buildings and school kitchens, and constructed three schools. They also provided other resources for schools, including windows/doors, blackboards, soccer balls, desks/chairs, and backpacks. RMI works to facilitate cross-cultural church-to-church partnerships by connecting U.S. churches with international churches. RMI has five stars and

RMI is excited to announce our holiday food campaign.  The Lord’s provision has allowed us to safely and securely receive our latest shipments of food.  This gift of food is especially needed now.  With the gangs in the capital blocking off the roads and inflation at more than 300%, food scarcity is at an all-time high.  People just can’t find food or can’t afford it.  Real hunger is something that everyone is facing.  Don’t miss this opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are hurting and hungry. Our regular food boxes are $35.00 each. Our food boxes with cooking oil are $45.00 each. If you are able to give 9 food boxes, with oil, a total of $405.00, we will add a 10th box FREE! Go to www.rmibridge.org, scan the QR code, or mail your check to RMI at  5475 Lee St. Suite 301 Lehigh Acres, FL 

If you feel called by God to be in full-time ministry, then we need you!  RMI is open to couples, families, or singles.  Almost any profession can be used on the mission field.  You never know how God will use you!   Jim and April Starkey have been in Haiti 4 years, going on 5 in the fall.  They have their hands full with their responsibilities as well as 4 kids!   Jim wears many “hats”.  He works closely with the SunTech team, going out to help with solar panel installations on churches, schools, parsonages, and offices.  Another “hat” is as a missionary host when teams come, which means he goes out with the team while they are visiting their C3 partner church. Jim’s newest “hat” is as the C3 Partnerships Manager.  He is the point man between the C3 coordinators in the states and the Partnership Facilitators in Haiti. He receives