A Decade of impact

Y-KNOT Missions (YKM) was founded in 2016 by Christian Jackson following an experience that changed his life. In 2015, Christian took his first trip to Haiti and was overwhelmed by the stark contrast—just 90 minutes south of Miami was a completely different world than the one he’d known. He couldn’t understand why children lived in such hardship, and he felt compelled to do something. More than anything, he wanted to give kids the chance to simply be kids: to play, to laugh, and to know the joy and freedom found in Christ. That desire became fundamental to YKM.

When Christian returned to the US, he immediately changed his major to Nonprofit Management at Oklahoma State University, where he was assigned a semester-long project to develop a nonprofit organization from the ground up. As he poured hours into crafting a mission, strategy, and structure, he realized this wasn’t just an assignment, it was an opportunity to turn his vision into reality. After months of planning, prayer, and counsel, he took the leap, filing the necessary paperwork to officially establish YKM as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in early 2017.

A Timeline of growth

2017

2021

YKM launched in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, raising over $10,000 and hosting five sports camps for 1,225 children, where 540 made first-time commitments for Christ.

 Relaunched YKM’s operations in Haiti – we opened the YKM schools, launched four soccer teams, and the goat exchange program, strengthening daily, consistent ministry efforts.

2018

2022

Expanded to Kenya and Zambia, serving 1,550+ children, forming new ministry partnerships, and opening YKM’s first English school in Haiti for pastors and coaches.

Grew to 40 Haitian staff members, purchased a mission house, and expanded into three new villages.

2019

2023

Plans to purchase land in Zambia shifted as unexpected challenges, including a sharp rise in insecurity in Haiti, prompted YKM to refine its mission and deepen its local focus.

Reached 50 staff members, launched the girls’ soccer league, wheelchair distribution program, and The Jordan Project, and had two YKM soccer players recruited for the Haiti Youth National Team.

2020

2024

COVID-19 delayed planned programs, but YKM remained committed to its mission and prepared for a strong relaunch.

Launched the Adult Literacy Program and the schools achieved an impressive 93% pass rate on national exams, proving YKM’s commitment to sustainable education and empowerment in one of Haiti’s most difficult years.

Looking Ahead

Despite Haiti’s ongoing challenges, YKM remains deeply committed to serving, equipping, and sustaining the work God has called us to do. From sports to literacy, economic development to pastoral care, our goal remains the same: to make Christ known and bring Him glory.

As YKM continues to grow, so does our vision. While Haiti remains our home base, we are exploring expanding our impact to other regions of the world, beginning in Central America, by training and equipping local leaders to build sustainable, Christ-centered programs that serve their communities. Our focus is not just on where we are today, but on where God is leading us next. By investing deeply in the people we encounter, we believe communities will be empowered worldwide to experience the transformational love and hope of Jesus.

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