TAMPA, Fla. — This Easter looks different for the people of Haiti. Gangs continue to rampage Port-au-Prince, the capital city, targeting key infrastructure. The United Nations estimates more than 1,500 people  – including children – have been killed by gang violence so far this year. 

What You Need To Know

  • Gang violence in Haiti has killed more than 1,500 people so far this year, according to the United Nations

  • The unrest is leading to a dwindling supply of food and other basic supplies

  • A Tampa church with a large Haitian population came together on Easter Sunday to lift the country in prayer

The unrest is also causing food and other basic supplies to dwindle. 

To Billy Maisonneuve, Haiti will always be home. It’s where he was born and raised, met his wife, had children and spent most of his adult life. Maissoneuve moved to Tampa in 2004, specifically for its thriving Haitian community. He’s now the Lead Pastor at Christian Assembly Church, where 95% of members have ties to Haiti. 

“When it comes to anything that is Haiti, everybody tends to come together because they still feel this strong tie to the land,” Maisonneuve said.

Over the years, Maisonneuve has returned to Haiti for numerous mission trips, but has not been able to go since 2019. 

The pastor explained that Easter typically brings everyone together and is a time to find hope – a message he feels is especially important this year, as Haiti continues to face turmoil. 

“The resiliency of the Haitian people, in spite of the desperate situations and dire poverty, you still see people that are extremely hopeful,” Maissoneuve said. “I think for me, that has always been inspiring.”

About 250 people came together for an Easter Sunday service in Creole, including members watching virtually from Haiti. Pastor Maissoneuve said it was a chance to rally everyone together on the most important holiday for Christians and send hope to his home country. 

“I told them be in prayer. God is not done with us yet and there’s hope,” he said. “Haiti will be resurrected again.”

Pastor Maisonneuve described his church as a bridge between Tampa and Haiti. He hopes to keep growing the congregation and looks forward to a day when he can safely return home to lend a helping hand.

Maisonneuve said Christian Assembly Church has a network of more than 14 churches in Haiti and he’s in daily contact with the pastors there. The church is also sending money to help support schools and feeding programs.