The Haiti Mission at St. Marcus has been and will continue to be an ongoing effort to support the people of this country with food and medicine, and to also share with them the Word of God.

Many missions are supported through our church body, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). However, St. Marcus has had a special opportunity to be in personal contact and support with the mission in Haiti. Although not an official field mission for the WELS, Haiti, being in very close proximity to the Dominican Republic (which is an official mission field), has become another area with which to spread Christ’s love.

The long-term goal of St. Marcus’ mission is to keep funding Haiti through missions which will help start a church there shepherded by a native Haitian pastor. St Marcus also hopes to financially and physically help build a school/worship building on the Island. Thanks to the Lord’s grace, we currently have two Haitian men who are being trained at the Seminary in the Dominican Republic. To read more about Helve Robert, one of the pastor trainees, please click here. 

Where is Haiti

Although the name might be recognizable, its location can be confusing. Haiti is apart of the island of Hispaniola located in the Caribbean. Haiti and the Dominican Republic comprise this island, which is unfortunately located in the hurricane belt. It is roughly the size of the state of Maryland and is still one of the most underdeveloped, poverty stricken countries in the world.

Why Haiti

Although the first country in South America to gain its dependence in the early 1800s, it is still unstable and corruption is rampant. A lack of money, education, and firm leaders has also made a decent healthcare system near to impossible. This is incredibly devastating given the number of deaths due to disease, sickness, and poverty.
The official religion of Haiti is Roman Catholicism. However, many of the Haitians still practice Haitian Voodoo along with a mix of Christianity.