Mr. Joseph Decilhomme Gerestant was born on December 30, 1950 in Les Cayes, legitimate son of Anne Elie Georgeon and Decius Gerestant. My dad came from a large family, his parents had 8 children. Cameau (deceased), Lucieuse, Decilia (deceased), Pierre Decilien, Odette (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Joseph (my dad), and Jean Maurice. He did his primary studies at the Dumarsais Estime school in Les Cayes, his secondary studies at the Lycee Philippe Guerrier from the sixth grade to Retho in Les Cayes. His last year of high school in Port-au-Prince at the Institute Les Frères de l'impasse Laveau. He studied accounting at the National Institute of Administration, Management and Higher International Studies (INAGHEI). He was an employee of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) for 38 years. He studied theology at STEP, from where he obtained a bachelor's degree in May 1985. He did a master's degree in theology from 1998-2001 at Lee University in Cleveland TN. He was known as a Bishop of the Church of God in Haiti. He was an executive member of the Church of God mission in Haiti. He had a passion for education and volunteered with this gift that the Lord had entrusted to him. He was a professor where he taught Greek, Hermetic, administration at STED and several other religious institutions in Haiti. He was Assistant Pastor at the Church of God of Poste de Marchant at the beginning of his ministry until January 1990; and then Assistant Pastor at the Church of God of Rue du Centre until 2021. From 2021 to 2023 he was the Lead Pastor of the Church of God of Rue du Centre and Lead Pastor of the District of Port au Prince, West.

Pastor Gerestant was a man of integrity and humility. During his time at the Church of God of Poste Marchant, he met a young lady from the youth of the church, Gladys Esteve. After two years of dating, Joseph and Gladys got married on September 24, 1983. My dad was a respectful, caring and affectionate husband towards his wife. Through his conduct, I learned how to respect my wife and treat her with respect. My parents have 6 children, Luc (died at the young age of 10), Paul Elie, Rhode Kenia, Anne Bervely, Sem Merari, and Nathanaele. Joseph was a father devoted to his family, a father who assumed his responsibility, a model of a father as it should be—he was always available for his children, he was proud of all of us. My dad was a calm man, he had a positive word for each person according to their situation. One of the moments that marked me that I had with my dad was the day before my wedding. We were both in the car after the rehearsal before the wedding. He gave me a lot of advice that I hold dear and that helped me in my relationship with my wife.

Papi was a great financial advisor. He often said, “ou Paka ap travay epi ou pa gen $100.00 pou prete li” he was very generous but a manager in his finance at the same time. He taught us all to be very financially disciplined in life. Papi’s famous saying $1 not spent is $1 saved. He told us there is no stupid job as long as the work is honest, it is an opportunity to earn your daily bread. My Dad valued spiritual guidance, he always told us to pray first before any decision we have to make in life. I remember he told us that he had the opportunity to do a master’s degree in accounting in Canada since he was a scholarship recipient. But after the prayer the Lord commanded him to put his trust in Him and go into the ministry in Haiti, He will take care of the rest, and the rest The Lord took care of it. God blessed his ministry and He used it to touch the lives of many people.

Papi was a compassionate and gracious father. He understood that in life there will be times when your actions could bring you shame. Any mistake you made you can come back from it. Don't let a mistake define you. Don't let people's gossip define you, know who you are, continue to persevere and do your best. He was a father full of good advice to all.

He was a great dad loved by all his grandchildren. I remember in December 2020. He spent a week at my house. Elijah my first child had a wonderful time with grandpa. And after Christmas, Grandpa had to go celebrate his birthday with his wife in Haiti. On the very day of his birthday, Elijah refused to sing for grandpa because Grandpa left him. Grandpa loved his grandchildren.

Dad, I know that you are already in the arms of your Savior with your eldest son Luc, We love you very much and we will do everything it takes to continue working in the ministry and to please Jesus as you would have wished