Wilson Jeudi Biography
Born into an average family, Mayor Wilson Jeudi came into the world on October 6, 1963, at La Providence Hospital in Gonaïves. He is a lawyer, customs officer, accountant, and has also studied human relations psychology. Throughout his career, he held pivotal positions in public service, serving as a judge, airport inspector, and employee at the Ministry of Public Works, and later became the Director of Customs in both Saint-Marc and Miragoane.
In 2002, Jeudi was appointed mission officer at the General Directorate of National Television of Haiti. This position led him to meet Reverend Pastor Luc Mésadieu of the political party MOCHRENA, who was running for president. Jeudi campaigned for him with the hope of receiving a nominative position in return.
While in Miami, Pastor Mésadieu offered him the position of mayor of Delmas, a proposal that he initially declined out of uncertainty about how to fulfill voters’ expectations. However, with encouragement from a friend, he ultimately agreed to run for the position.
Mayor Jeudi is a devout Christian; he accepted Jesus as his Savior on April 13 during a crusade led by an American pastor. Following this, he began attending a Baptist church, a significant decision that was met with disapproval by his non-Christian parents. In 1991, he moved permanently to Port-au-Prince, where he became part of Pastor Nérée’s congregation and then the assembly at Jesus Center.
According to Mayor Jeudi, you cannot lead effectively without God. His campaign experience stands as a testament to this belief. Before each public meeting, he sought divine assistance to articulate his message clearly to his constituents, and he believes that God answered his prayers. Despite facing misunderstandings from his colleagues, some of whom labeled him as a “son of the devil,” he remained steadfast, relying on his faith.
He draws inspiration from the verse stating, “Misfortune often strikes the righteous, but God always delivers him.” For him, God serves as a compass, and he aims to avoid spiritual shipwreck. Reflecting his faith, Jeudi encourages his colleagues to follow suit and altered the town hall’s motto to “GOD-COUNTRY-LOVE.”
Mr. Jeudi looks back proudly on his three years in office, citing numerous achievements that were so expansive he couldn’t inaugurate them all. He often quotes, “With God, we will do exploits,” highlighting various projects such as constructing bridges, repairing neglected roads, and revitalizing the town hall for the benefit of Delmas taxpayers.
The town hall, according to Jeudi, is highly productive. He illustrates this by citing a service that previously generated 60,000 gourdes annually, which, due to his economic strategies over three years, increased to 300,000 gourdes within three months, even amid economic recession. This underscores his belief in praising God for blessings received and accomplishments achieved.
Unfortunately, Mayor Jeudi acknowledges that evil persists, noting that he has narrowly escaped death multiple times, but God consistently intervenes. He shares an experience where a former mayor of Fonds-Verrettes urged him to organize an eight-day crusade at the town hall, emphasizing outreach to street children and churchgoers as a testament to God’s providence. Although his colleagues expressed concern about the secular nature of the state, Jeudi stood firm, quoting, “Happy Delmas whose Eternal is the God.” This resolution unfortunately sparked jealousy and animosity from some, but he sees his victory as evidence of God’s mercy.
Mr. Jeudi invested in building a Municipal Palace, inspired by a beautiful palace he admired in the Dominican Republic. This new structure will also feature an amphitheater to host various choirs and serve as a venue for crusades, becoming a vibrant gathering place for the Christian community.
The mayor’s office extends assistance to churches upon request, largely staffed by fellow Christians. Mr. Wilson Jeudi has announced his candidacy for the presidency in the upcoming elections. As President Préval’s term concludes, Jeudi emphasizes the necessity of a Christian successor, asserting that as “the salt of the earth,” they are tasked with demonstrating the divine mandate given to them.
Focusing on his presidential aspirations, Mayor Jeudi feels supported by fellow Christians who believe that the country’s upliftment must come from a foundation of faith. Prayer groups, particularly those led by Reverend Pastor Jean Marie Désir from the Delmas 17 church, have formed as part of this initiative.
For Christians looking to engage in politics, Mayor Jeudi points to Jesus as a model, emphasizing his desire to reestablish authority. He believes that active Christian participation in political life will enhance both the country and the church. He encourages fellow Christians, especially the youth, to support his campaign. His party’s symbol is “FORCE-JEUNESSE AU POUVOIR,” reinforcing the belief that “With God, we will do exploits.”
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What initiatives has Mayor Wilson Jeudi implemented during his time in office?
Mayor Jeudi has undertaken numerous initiatives, including renovating the town hall, constructing bridges, and repairing abandoned roads, all aimed at serving the needs of the Delmas community.
How does Mayor Jeudi integrate his faith into his leadership style?
Mayor Jeudi actively seeks God’s guidance in his decisions, believing that faith plays a crucial role in effective leadership. He often prays before important meetings and attributes his successes to divine assistance.
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Edited by: Marie Carmel Lucien
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