The majority of people in Haiti, whether Christians or not, believe there are spiritual forces at work. As a culture, Haiti is very open to supernatural occurrences, and part of that reality is due to the country’s complex religious history. Probably anyone who comes and hears the gospel in one of our Mercy Network churches has been exposed to Vodou in one way or another, and it’s a topic that arises consistently when we talk about evangelism.

Vodou is one of the most prominent religions in Haiti. It finds its roots in West African beliefs and practices brought to Haiti through the slave trade, beginning with the arrival of enslaved West Africans during the 17th and 18th centuries. These Africans were forced to convert to Catholicism by the French colonizers, but the result was a hybrid of African and Catholic practices rather than a pure conversion. Vodou is a syncretic religion. Blending different beliefs and practices—those the enslaved brought with them from Africa with those of the Catholic church—would eventually form the foundation of Vodou in Haiti.

There are many facets of Vodou, including ancestor worship, herbal medicine, and divination practices. The religion is inherently occult and dark in its essence. Vodou has been associated with black magic, witchcraft, and social and political turmoil since its inception. In addition, where Christianity preaches a message of redemption accomplished by free grace, Vodou is transactional. People pay money to keep harm from coming on them, and they work hard to appease the spirits associated with Vodou. It’s a religion of fear, not of hope.

Educated people in Haiti are, by and large, less likely to be involved in Vodou, but that’s a small segment of the population. So it’s an encouraging surprise whenever we see someone come to Christ from this background. That’s the story of one of our Mercy Network pastors, Pastor David. Beyond our churches, the exact number of people who leave Vodou and convert to Christianity is difficult to determine, as no centralized organization keeps track of these numbers. But even without a precise idea of its reach, it is clear Christianity has had a significant impact on Haitian society and has challenged the role of Vodou in Haitian culture. We praise God for the light of His church in a dark culture.

You can find information about how to pray for our ministry in Haiti here.