Help Yonel Alcius Complete his Seminary Education

This GoFundMe campaign gives you the opportunity to support an urgent and worthy cause, Yonel Alcius and his family. Yonel is pursuing a Ph.D. at Dallas Theological Seminary. Yonel’s family includes his wife Kettly and their sons Kenel and Kelly. This family needs our financial support now, to enable Yonel to complete his seminary studies, preparing him to achieve his goal of returning to Haiti and being a significant leader in the effort to rebuild the Christian church there. This is a rare opportunity to help a family right here in our community and to have a positive impact on the eventual recovery of Haiti from its current chaos. Please see the details below and donate generously to this campaign.

What is Yonel’s story? Very briefly, Yonel is a committed Christian, in word and deed. Yonel was born and raised in Haiti, and as a boy he assisted his father (a voodoo priest) in the worship of mystical spirits. Really! As a teenager, Yonel became a Christian. After high school, Yonel obtained a college degree and then taught English and literature classes to elementary, middle and high school students. At the same time, Yonel worked on many weekends with a small team of fellow Haitians to establish two new churches, one in a city suburb and another in a rural village, with Yonel taking on the training of new church lay leaders, and teaching a Bible class for two years. Wanting to “go deeper” in such work, Yonel went back to school and obtained a degree in theology, while continuing his church teaching. In 2018, Yonel and his family moved to Dallas so he could pursue a Master’s degree in Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary, which he completed in December 2022. Yonel started in the exclusive Ph.D. program at the Seminary in January 2023, an education that would not be available in Haiti and which will qualify Yonel to teach at all college and seminary levels. In addition to pursuing his studies, Yonel regularly teaches classes on the Bible and many other topics as a volunteer, in several online venues for seminary students in Haiti, the Haitian diaspora in many countries, and lay Bible students in Texas. He also occasionally preaches and teaches at welcoming churches in the Dallas area on Sundays, and in Florida during school breaks.

Who is Yonel’s Family? Yonel’s wife Kettly volunteers as a teacher at Literacy Achieves, a nonprofit agency that helps refugees and others learn to read and write in English to improve their lives. When they lived in Haiti, Kettly worked closely with Yonel on outreach missions and church-plantings; she continues her connections to two churches in Haiti through active online prayer groups. Their teenage sons Kenel and Kelly are excellent students at Uplift Luna Charter school in Dallas.

What is the goal of this campaign? Our hopeful goal is to raise a total of $110,000. This goal is based on estimated assumptions for annual family budget, minimum time to complete the Ph.D. program, and scholarships and other income.

Who is running this funding campaign? This GoFundMe campaign was initiated and is being publicized by Mary & Don Zentmeyer and Colleen & Rob Taylor, who are friends of Yonel and his family. Yonel will receive directly all donations made to this campaign.

Why should I donate right now? This is a critical moment for Yonel. After a year-long wait and answering three rounds of written questions from the federal immigration agency (USCIS), Yonel’s application for a necessary visa change (for himself and his family) is now subject to one final condition, which needs to be satisfied within the next few weeks: provide evidence that Yonel has sources for funds he will need for the future years of his Ph.D. studies. A strong start on the campaign’s $110,000 goal should satisfy the agency that Yonel has the ability to raise the needed future funds. If the agency denies his pending visa change, the consequences could be dire: Yonel and his family could be forced to move back to the current chaos in Haiti. So, please donate now, instead of waiting until later.

What is Yonel’s visa and financial situation? During his Master’s studies, Yonel was enrolled at the Seminary under an exchange student (J) visa program and he received a full scholarship from the Seminary (including a part-time on-campus job). However, in the past year the Seminary transitioned to a regular Student (F) visa program and informed Yonel that the Seminary scholarships for his Ph.D. studies would be limited. Under either student visa program, Yonel, Kettly and their sons are prohibited from working any jobs for pay (except Yonel’s part-time on-campus job). Based on a limited scholarship from the Seminary, special scholarships from Northridge and another church, and Yonel’s expected income from part-time work and church speaking engagements, Yonel does have current funds or commitments to cover school costs and living expenses for 2023, but he needs to raise additional funds to continue his Ph.D. studies beyond this calendar year (with the urgency described in the above paragraph).

How bad is the situation in Haiti? When Yonel and his family lived in Haiti, there were many challenges, including chronic poverty, hurricanes and earthquakes, cholera and other diseases, political corruption, and cultures of voodoo and disbelief. Despite that, the Christian people of Haiti managed to have faith and help improve each other’s lives. Unfortunately, since Yonel’s family left in 2018, Haiti has devolved into a very dismal and chaotic state, including political assassinations, criminal gangs taking over major areas, uncontrolled kidnappings and killings, and widespread lawlessness. Now, there is no elected president or national legislature in place to govern, and even the police have resorted to protests that have closed streets and raided the airport. The U.S. and other governments have discussed sending in military forces to reestablish order, but no such action has been agreed to or taken yet.

Can Yonel have a significant impact in Haiti after completing his Ph.D.? Yonel’s friends believe that Yonel will be uniquely qualified to lead efforts to rebuild Christian faith and hope in Haiti. The current situation in Haiti is causing some of the same misery and despair experienced by God’s people in biblical times, and the people of Haiti need to hear and understand the Good News, now in the midst of their extreme suffering and in the future when rebuilding can begin. Yonel’s biblical knowledge, communication skills, extensive contacts, work ethic, past experience, and love for his people give Yonel the ability to make that happen. Now is your chance to support Yonel and his family in their time of need, so they will have the opportunity to fulfill their mission in the near future.

How do I donate to this campaign? Just click the Donate button on this GoFundMe page and fill in your payment information. You can elect to have your name shown on the list of donors or to remain anonymous. All donations, large and small, are appreciated.

How else can I help in this campaign? Donating to this campaign will make you feel good! Please share that good feeling by telling your friends and family about this campaign. You can share this GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/3424ffc7 on Facebook, Instagram or any other social media, or by email or text, or by any other method that you use to communicate.

How can I get more information about Yonel? You can review Yonel’s biography and resume below. You can see other information on Yonel’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/yonel.alcius.3.

________________________________________________________________________

YONEL ALCIUS

CURRENT BIOGRAPHY

LIFE SUMMARY

I am Yonel Alcius. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Dallas Theological Seminary. My wife Kettly volunteers at Literacy Achieves of Dallas, and our sons Kenel and Kelly attend Uplift Luna Charter school in Dallas. I was born in 1979 and raised in Haiti, and as a boy I served the mystical spirits under the guidance of my father, who was a voodoo priest. As a teenager, I became a Christian. After high school, I obtained a college degree in linguistics, then taught English and literature to elementary, middle and high school students at two schools for a total 14 years. Inspired to “go deeper” after spending many weekends helping to plant two new churches and doing other mission work, I went back to school in 2013 and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in theology. In 2018, I and my family moved to the United States so I could further my religious education and pursue a Master’s degree at Dallas Theological Seminary, which I completed in December 2022. I started classes in the Seminary’s Ph.D. program in January 2023, focused on Bible Exposition. In addition to my studies, I teach Bible classes, part-time as my schedule allows, in several online venues for the Haitian diaspora, seminary students in Haiti, and Bible students in Texas. I also occasionally preach and teach in person at some welcoming churches in the Dallas area on Sundays, and in Florida during school breaks. I and my family frequently attend worship services and other events at Northridge Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

REASON FOR PURSUING PH.D. IN BIBLE EXPOSITION

I am grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to be trained at a doctoral level in Bible Exposition. This will fully enable me to teach the Bible at seminary and college levels. In addition to that, this training will equip me to contribute to filling a huge gap in my home country: the scarcity of trained leaders and quality resources to teach the Bible. It is my prayer that the Lord would grant me the grace of playing a major role in the growth of His people by teaching the Word, elaborating materials, and writing commentaries. I believe that I am called to serve God's people through the teaching ministry. Therefore, my desire is to be completely equipped for such a ministry and become a Bible professor. I am eager to pass on the Word to ministers and church leaders, particularly in the Haitian communities, who will in turn teach others so that our communities may grow in their resemblance of Christ and may be impacted and transformed for the glory of God.

TESTIMONY OF FAITH

After serving the mystical spirits for the first 13 years of my life with my father who was a voodoo priest, I responded by Faith to the atoning, sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for salvation. I became a follower of Christ and I have joined in the work of transforming lives and communities into the likeness of Jesus, one person at a time. As a Christian with conviction, I am continuing to follow my Lord. One of my greatest passions is explaining each passage of the Bible in such a way that everyone can discover the organization of the author's thoughts, the message of the text, and ways of applying the biblical message to their everyday life, with a view to their transformation into the image of Christ.

MINISTRY INITIATIVES

Opened Bible Academy, Dallas Branch: 2020–2023 (continuing); as part of a team, volunteer teacher in free, non-accredited 2 ½ year program for training lay Christian leaders, including a cohort that completed the program last year and a new cohort starting this year; teaching organized sections of the Old and New Testaments, hermeneutics, and systematic theology in English in weekly live Zoom classes.

Evangelical Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince (STEP): 2020–2023 (continuing); volunteer teaching a three-week summer program (in French) as part of staff in an accredited college program for seminary students; teaching classes that would otherwise meet in person by both pre-recorded lectures and daily live two-hour Zoom discussion sessions; teaching the historical books of the Old Testament and the new Testament letters of Paul; responsibilities include grading extensive student tests and papers.

Instar Christi Ministry: 2020-2023 (continuing); founded this ministry; volunteer teaching live-streamed online weekly 2-hour lectures and discussions alone or with cohost (in French and Creole), on topics of Christian leadership, church management, ethics, books of the Bible, and grand narratives of the Old and New Testaments; for current and developing leaders in the Haitian evangelical community (located in Haiti, the United States, Canada, Brazil and elsewhere); also maintain website for this ministry with selected recordings and related information with technical assistance from Canadian volunteers.

Dallas Area Churches: occasional in-person leadership on Sundays by invitation at churches in the Dallas area, including Formosan Christian Church of Dallas (preaching multiple sermons to congregation from pulpit in 2022), Northridge Presbyterian Church (teaching as team member in church school class for junior and senior high school students in 2022 and participating in adult Tuesday morning Bible study group when schedule allows), and Grace Bible Church (taught adult church school class in 2021).

Out-of-State Churches: occasional in-person leadership during Seminary breaks at churches outside of Dallas, including Peniel Haitian Baptist Church in Florida (preaching and teaching at one-week Bible conference in 2022), University Haitian Baptist Church in Florida (preaching and teaching at one-week Bible conference in 2021), Sanctification Haitian Baptist Church in Florida (preaching and teaching at one-week Bible conference in 2020), and Good News Baptist Church in Georgia (preaching and teaching at one-week Bible conference in 2019).

VISA AND FINANCIAL STATUS

During my Master’s studies, I was enrolled at the Seminary under an exchange student (J) visa program. In coordination with the Seminary, I currently have a pending application to transfer to a regular student (F) visa. During my Master’s studies, I qualified for a full scholarship through the Seminary. As a Ph.D. student, I must study under an F Visa and the scholarships available to me are much more limited, so I am engaged in a fundraising campaign, at the suggestion and with the help of several friends. Under the student visa programs, I and my family are prohibited from working any jobs for pay (except my part-time on-campus job).

FAMILY

My wife Kettly does volunteer work at Literacy Achieves (a local nonprofit agency helping refugees and others learn to read and write in English to improve their lives). When we lived in Haiti, Kettly worked closely with me on missions of outreach and church-planting; she continues her connections to two churches in Haiti through active online prayer groups. Our sons Kenel and Kelly are excellent students at Uplift Luna Charter school in Dallas.

CONTACT

Email: [email redacted]

MORE INFORMATION

Resume of Past Experience: below on my GoFundMe page

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yonel.alcius.3

Ministry: www.instarchristi.org

________________________________________________________________________

YONEL ALCIUS

RESUME OF PAST EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

State University of Haiti, College of Applied Linguistics, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

2000-2004, graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics

• Emphasis in Translation in English, French, Creole and Spanish; qualified to become a teacher

Evangelical Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince (STEP), Haiti

2013-2017, graduated with Bachelor’s degree in Theology

• Studied Theology and the Bible; inspired to pursue this education by desire to “go deeper” after mission work planting two churches

Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas

2018-2022, graduated with Master’s Degree in Theology

• Emphasis on Bible Exposition and New Testament Studies

TRAINING

2001, one month of teacher training in France, for college students from many countries, with scholarship from French government based on impromptu essay competition

2008-2017, several month-long training programs, in France and other countries, for teacher certification at Haitian school sponsored by the French government

WORK EXPERIENCE

Cours Prives Edme school, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 2003 - 2008

• Teacher of conversational English and Spanish and Literature classes for high school students in private school (after moving to other school, volunteered at this school helping students prepare for advanced entrance exams)

Lycee Alexandre Dumas school, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 2008-2017

• Teacher of English classes for elementary students, then middle and high school students, in school sponsored by the French government (also chaperoned on annual summer month-long student trips to France)

CHURCH MISSION And MEMBERSHIP

Fraternity Baptist Church of Segur, located in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti

• 1997, part of volunteer team who evangelized and ministered to unchurched people

• 1998, as part of team, helped plant a new church in Segur

• 1999-2000, taught weekly Bible class for two years, while lay pastor attended seminary

• 1999-2003, as part of continuing volunteer team, taught training classes for congregation leaders (including preparing materials, teaching classes, expositing Bible)

• 2004-2017, moved to Segur, joined this congregation, and continued teaching classes as needed

Source of Life Baptist Church of Marmont, located in village in central Haiti

• 2012-2013; part of volunteer four-person team who worked on many weekends to plant a new church here, for unchurched people including many voodoo believers; also worked here with visitors from Good News Baptist Church in Georgia as part of their mission trips

SKILLS

Teaching the 66 books of the Bible; teaching basic and advanced levels of hermeneutics; teaching beginner’s and intermediate Greek; translating and interpreting English, French, and Haitian Creole.

MORE INFORMATION

Current Biography: above on my GoFundMe page

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yonel.alcius.3

Ministry: www.instarchristi.org