Pastor Archange Emmanuel Mondestin  1944 – 2018

A wise man once stated, “There are things in life we don’t want to happen but have to accept; things we don’t want to know, but have to learn; and people we can’t live without but have to let go.”  (Unknown author)

Today, we mourn the loss of a great man of God.  An amazing father, a devoted husband, a trusted friend, a spiritual leader who touched the lives of many.  Born Archange Emmanuel Mondestin, on December 1, 1944 in Port-Margot Haiti, son of Paul E. and Marie Maquila (Desir) Mondestin.  

He studied at Diquini, the theological seminary in Haiti, and received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Montpellier, where he studied French Literature, Latin, classical Greek and pedagogy.  He was an educator in Haiti and France, teaching various subjects.  He married the former Unelle Noel and they were blessed with four children: Micheline, Monique, Paul-Emmanuel and Jacqueline.  Always attentive to the needs of his family, he spared no sacrifice for their well-being.  He was later blessed with eight grandchildren who served as an additional source of joy in his life.  He knew and loved each one of them dearly.  

Pastor Mondestin was a third generation Adventist and accepted the Lord as his personal savior at an early age.  As a man of faith and belief in the Lord, he also accepted his call to ministry.  He entered the gospel ministry in 1979 at the recommendation of Pastor M.D. Bermingham, coordinator of the French work for the Northeastern Conference.  He was a loving and faithful pastor who mentored many and served the following churches:  Horeb SDA Church, Temple Salem SDA Church, Brockton Temple SDA Church, Philadelphie SDA Church, Ephese SDA Church, Beraca SDA Church, and Laodicee SDA Church.  After retirement, he continued to serve by assisting fellow pastors with weeks of prayer, evangelistic efforts and other church activities.  He especially ministered to a growing church community in Wyandanch, NY, Sion SDA Church.  Faith and belief in the Lord continued to be the cornerstones of his life.

Pastor Mondestin was the author of Connaissance et Liberte, a book written to teach Christianity and Adventism to the upcoming Haitian generation. The book was published in 1983.  Some of his favorite pass-times included reading, studying the Bible, preaching, teaching, writing, poetry, various styles of music, and engaging in stimulating conversation while spending time with friends and family.  He had a simple and yet profound understanding of life and the world around him.  He accepted life as it came with a fearless determination based on His faith and belief in Jesus-Christ.  

On Wednesday, February 14, 2018 the Lord called his servant to rest.  He leaves behind his wife Unelle Mondestin, their four children: Micheline Mondestin-Cenafils and her husband Marco Cenafils, Monique Mondestin-Jean and her husband Richard Jean, Paul Emmanuel Mondestin and his wife Sarah Mondestin, Arthur Sekasula, Jacqueline Mondestin and fiancé Pastor John Ricci.  He leaves behind eight precious grandchildren: Michaela Cenafils, Myah Cenafils, Milan Cenafils, Mia Cenafils, Zoe Sekasula, Zarielle Sekasula, Ethan Jean and Hosanna Mondestin.  He also leaves behind his siblings Anna Mondestin, Mercilina Mondestin, Elie Mondestin, their children and a host of extended family members across the United States, Haiti and beyond.  He will be greatly missed.  

Death may represent the end of life on this earth, but it will never bring to end the love we shared and the hope we hold dear…that of spending eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ upon His soon return.  Until then, may this hope bring us comfort and peace.  

Visitation will be held at the Temple Salem Church on Sunday, February 25 from 1:30-3PM. The Funeral Service will begin at 3PM. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery on Monday, February 26 at 11:30AM.