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Video: Cuba

Cuba Video

Cuba


Mission History

In 1958, the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church appointed two missionaries to work in Cuba with the indigenous Cuban Interior Gospel Mission. The missionaries had a vision of adopting Cuba as a World Missions field, with theological education as the focus of the work.

Synod of 1958 wondered about adopting the Interior Gospel Mission, so sent the Clarence Nyenhuis family and Rev. J. Jerry Pott to look into the matter. Rev. Pott returned with a positive report in December. His recommendations were approved by the Foreign board in February 1959 and that same year, Synod adopted Cuba as an above-quota field.

The revolution led by Fidel Castro changed these plans, however. Forced to leave, World Missions has had no missionaries in residence in Cuba since 1960.

Culture

Cuba was the last major Spanish colony to become independent. The island colony gained its independence in a struggle known as the Ten Years War, which broke out on October 10, 1868. Today, the people of Cuba are mainly of Spanish and African origin.

The Castro regime has monitored religious activity since 1959. However, the breakdown of the Soviet Union caused change in Cuba as well, and since 1990 there has been greater tolerance of the church. More significantly, a 1992 constitutional amendment made it illegal to discriminate against Christians.

In 1994 there were particularly difficult social and economic conditions. Less than five percent of the population attended church. The church used this condition as a context in which to witness.

Mission & Vision

The 12 Christian Reformed churches in Cuba have some freedom. But the five ordained pastors and 20 others in outreach work are still limited by the government in their evangelistic activities.

However, even as the economic, political and social fabric of the country weakens, the churches are growing. The fact that children, young people, the middle-aged, and elderly Cubans are coming to the churches evidences a growing interest in Christianity.

World Missions is assisting the Cuban Christian Reformed Church with periodic visits for leadership training and youth programs. In addition, financial grants have been provided for literature and church reconstruction.

Results

World Missions staff made four visits to Cuba in the past year to assess needs and encourage leaders. Two of these visits coincided with the summer camps for children and young people.

In addition, pastors Obed Martinez and David Lee were able to attend the Synod held in Ontario and visit some churches in Canada to further develop the bond between these churches.

CRWM in Cuba

Though there are currently no missionaries residing in Cuba, World Missions staff have been able to make visits to encourage and train church leaders, including pastors, evangelists, elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers and other church leaders.

Prayer

The most important gift you can give missionaries is a daily prayer for their lives and work. At any given time Christian Reformed World Missions supports over 200 long-term and short-term missionaries located in over 20 countries around the world. Through partnerships, our work extends to over 30 countries. These people have been called, commissioned, and sent by Christian Reformed churches to represent our devotion to Jesus Christ, and to urge others to accept His offer of salvation.

Here’s a partial list of items to pray for on behalf of missionaries:

Financial Support

Financial support is also crucial for the ongoing work of bringing the Good News around the world. Support can be given for specific missionaries or specific projects can be found in the “Project Giving Guide” online.

More Resources

Videos
Video-2003 -Cuba: The Island of Incongruities (15 min./4 min.)

Proclaim: August-September 2003
• Download the Word Document (16pg, 180k)
• Download the PDF (15pg, 544k)

CRC Source: Spring 2003
•Download the PDF