In Turks and Caicos, where church attendance is woven into the rhythm of island life, a pressing question remains: Who is guiding the next generation? Nearly 736 miles off Florida’s coast, the Caribbean archipelago is known for its beautiful beaches and strong Christian identity. Yet many young people, particularly adolescent boys, lack consistent godly mentors and meaningful community. As gang activity has grown, the need for faithful leaders has become increasingly urgent.
Donnie Gardiner, a senior management major at Cedarville University, envisions a different future for his country, one that provides young people with Christlike role models and a voice in society. As a result, he is investing in the next generation through servant leadership.
Originally from Providenciales, the most inhabited island in Turks and Caicos, Gardiner has always grown up with a love for his home. As a child, he watched his mom dedicate her life to public service, and he longed to help his country with the same hospitable nature his mom displayed.
“[My mom] showed me that charity flows from a love of Christ,” Gardiner said. “That really pushed me to want to be more and give back more.”
At 15 years old, Gardiner accepted Christ into his heart, and he finally understood why investing in others truly mattered. He possessed strong leadership skills, but he knew that without faith in Christ, he could not live out his heart for Turks and Caicos well.
As his love for God transformed his worldview, Gardiner pursued his future with a new mission: to point people to Christ. In 2019, he received the opportunity to do just that.
Every year, the Turks and Caicos government selects a group of young adults to depict the national parliament. While the mock parliament does not create new legislation, the Turks and Caicos government assesses the next generation’s opinions. Gardiner was one of the few young people selected to represent his generation. As a representative, Gardiner advocated for lower prices, debated minimum wage and shared his faith in Jesus.
When Gardiner began his freshman year at Cedarville, God also cultivated his heart for others through the Student Government Association. Now serving as the student body president for the second time, Gardiner emphasizes that Cedarville has not only equipped him to lead in a corporate setting but also taught him to reflect integrity in both his public and private life.
“My education at Cedarville has caused me to seek a life that honors God,” he said. “Cedarville has prepared me so that no matter what space I go into, I know that I’m on mission in that place.”
Two years ago, Gardiner used his leadership skills to guide others toward Christ by co-founding the Turks and Caicos Island Society of Young Leaders with childhood friends Antwon Walkin and Andy Missick. The purpose of the society is to develop young leaders across all sectors of government and business who will express their voices for good.
Since its beginning, the society has grown to over 300 members.
On a recent trip to several elementary schools in Turks and Caicos, Gardiner felt the full weight of his impact. While visiting Providence International Academy, Mills Institute, and Ianthe Pratt Primary School, Gardiner spoke to several young boys about biblical manhood and godly leadership, and they showed genuine interest in learning about God.
“I could see the gears moving in their mind as they realized that putting God first isn’t something that I say, but it’s actions that I do,” Gardiner said. “It’s my way of thinking. It’s how I treat people. It’s how I treat my parents.”
To Gardiner, investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways anyone can strengthen their families, communities and nation, and after he attains his management degree from Cedarville, he plans to return to Turks and Caicos to disciple and lead others.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.