Adapted from a story by the Charis Fellowship

Central Cuba is a geographical paradise. It has valleys full tropical vegetation with abundant opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables. And some of the best espresso in the world is found in central Cuba!

But, there’s a problem—communism has left the people impoverished, and their only choice provided by the government is, “country or death!” The devastation is obvious. Buildings are in much disrepair. There are few services, like regular garbage pick-up. There are shortages of many things, including gas, electricity, school supplies, common over the counter medicines, Christian books, and Bibles. Food is what you grow, get, borrow, or steal.

So what’s the solution? 

God’s people! Cuba’s evangelical church is growing rapidly. Even houses formerly used for fights and gambling are now houses of faith that help neighbors who need Christ! The local church regularly expresses God’s love through service projects to jails and hospitals. There are also a growing number of young seminary students who work multiple jobs just to stay in the ministry. These individuals often travel by foot, bike, or borrowed horses to be part of a biblical seminary and study how to reach the country for Christ.

That’s why Encompass recently sent Ted Offutt (director of our Church Planting Network) there for two weeks with a team of ministry leaders—to see how God is working in the country, to encourage Cuban churches, and to consider if Encompass might have a role to play in what God is doing there. 

To start their trip, the team visited the Cedars of Lebanon seminary in Pinar del Rio, where they encouraged the locals by teaching on Romans, offering church-planting insights, leading breakout groups, and conducting a marriage retreat for pastors and their wives. God appeared to encourage the locals through the team’s visit, as Dr. Boris Sarlabous (President of the seminary) said, “Our families hunger and thirst for support and training about marriage in a pastors’ family!”

One team member said, “The Cuban evangelicals graciously invited us as their guests, but they are church growth experts and we learned so much from them.” Despite the headwinds of communism, God is clearly growing His church in Cuba and using them to bring transformation. 

Could God have a role for Encompass to play in Cuba? Please join in praying for the Cuban Church, and ask Him to reveal His will for our potential involvement there.