Less than 90 miles from the United States lies the largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba. It has the second largest population in the region, and before the US Embargo of 1960, was one of the most advanced and prosperous nations in Latin America. From quality education, high life expectancy, and technological advances like telephones and automobiles, life in Cuba in the 1950’s was good.
Enter the Communist Revolution in 1959.
Economic depression followed the Soviet Union’s collapse. The Embargo limited trade and tourism to the nation in 1960, and the combination of those three factors crippled the economy and hurt its people.
Adventures began officially partnering with Cuban churches in 2012, before the Embargo lifted. What we found was a nation hungry for Christ and a growing church inviting us to join them.
Officially, Cuba is a secular nation. There is no national religion, although about 59% of the population would consider themselves Catholic. There is no organized faith. While it isn’t illegal to be a Christian in Cuba, until recently they couldn’t openly share their faith. Churches could not build church buildings, but they were free to meet in their homes.
The Cuban church is its people.
Your church will prayerfully partner with a Cuban church and come alongside them to extend their ministry, encourage, and empower them with tools to more effectively reach their nation with the Gospel.
Ministry: Ministry could be throughout the island. Alongside your partner church, you may serve in:
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Home Visits: Visiting and encouraging local church members through prayer, listening to their stories, and getting to know their families
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Sports Ministry: Play sports with kids, whether at a local school or a pick-up game in a neighborhood.
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Relational Evangelism: Share the Gospel with anyone you meet, whether in a local park, on the street, or a community gathering.
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Bible Studies: Share and/or teach in Bible studies or church services
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Church Ministry: Worship with local believers
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Prayer Ministry: Praying for the sick and interceding for Cuba
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Seminars: Interactive gatherings on topics for discipleship, ministry training, and/or counseling for youth, married couples, or women’s/men’s ministry.
Most importantly, by being open to your partner church and the situations God places in front of you, the opportunities to serve Him and share in the Gospel are endless. Be ready to witness the Church as pure as it may have been in the Book of Acts.
For the first time in half a century, Cuba is officially open to Americans. With a growing church network, members hungry for encouragement from Christians across the world, and so many who have never heard the Gospel, this literally is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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Interested in reading more stories about what Adventures is doing in Cuba? Click here to visit our blog and see the impact.
