There are many questions about the Cuba churches and anyone that has spoken with me are aware of it. Why has the Cuban church under the adverse conditions grown so much? Why when you take new people to Cuba, they cannot believe the church services or the intensity of their worship? Why have so many travelers said to me, “I have never felt closer to Jesus Christ than I did in Cuba?” I hear people say my life is, “before Cuba and now after Cuba.”
Why do Americans not say that about their local church? I will let the experts debate that. But what I can tell you, churches in Florida and the United States are declining at an alarming rate. This is before Covid and the closing of churches for months on end. Slowly we are reopening with vastly reduced attendance. Predictions, say forty (40) percent of these parishioners will not come back. How are we as an organization (Methodist United in Prayer) the parent company of the Southwest District Mission Program, Inc. going to support a growing base of churches in Cuba under this scenario? At the present rate two out of three churches in Cuba now do not have a sister church in the United States, yes you read that right.
So, we have identified a problem how do we solve it? Many of you reading this are saying, " I do not care, we have a sister church and are taking good care of it." If you care about Cuba, you should care. Maybe your church could support another sister church for the same amount of money. Instead of building a big church you could build two smaller churches OR forget about building. Feed the multitudes, and supply the people with much needed medicines, and everyday needs.
Secondly, Florida churches during the winter season have many visitors from the north. If you care about Cuba and have been to Cuba, give a presentation talk about your experience there. Stir their curiosity, you just might be surprise what God can do with this.
My wife and I were blessed last weekend to spend time in Appleton, Wisconsin at the First Appleton UMC. They have a sister church in Turiguano, Cuba in the Ciego de Avila District. Friday night we attended a gathering and told our Cuban stories to the disbelief of all in attendance. After church service on Saturday evening, we had Cuban sandwiches and answered the many questions. Why this, why that and how can we help? Sunday was similar in their Fellowship Hall. Our host couple attend Englewood UMC during the winter and wanted to take the Cuba program back to their home church, Hallelujah, yes!
So, if you really care about Cuba, expose your winter visitors to the Cuba program when they are here. Talk about your experiences, show your enthusiasm. You may not be able to travel to Cuba now, but you can promote, you can grow your contacts. If you know someone interested in going to Cuba or learn more about Cuba let me know.
“Cuba so Close, But A World Away”.