Church Growth, Resilience, in Cuba Stuns Mission Leader

Teresa Neumann : Dec 17, 2013
Will Stuart – International Mission Board

"I found it surprising, almost shocking, to find some of the greatest expressions of faith within 100 miles of the United States. The thing that astonished me is how much they have to teach us, not how much we have to teach them." -Tom Elliff, President of International Mission Board

(Havana, Cuba)—International Mission Board (IMB) president Tom Elliff made his first visit to Cuba this month. He reported that new churches are flourishing on that island, despite the persecution Christians have endured in the past.

So much so, says Elliff, that his experience there "has changed my life. I will not view the Christian faith the same… ever again."

As noted in IMB News, the 1959 revolution moved Cuba from a dictatorship to socialism [communism]. Its economy faltered. Churches were closed and pastors were imprisoned.

Hermes Soto, rector of the Baptist Seminary in Havana was quoted as saying "it looked like everything was over." Indeed, by 1965, the majority of pastors were imprisoned and a large number of young church leaders were put in reeducation camps. Soto, himself, spent five years in one. Yet, despite all this, churches remained opened under lay leadership.

In 1991, the report continues, the Cuban constitution was changed, making discrimination based on religious belief unlawful. Still leery of churches being displayed prominently in their society, government officials only allowed new churches to be held primarily in homes.

It was then, says Soto, that churches woke up. "We had to discover how to react in response to this miracle."

And "wake up" they did. The Church in Cuba is growing so much, Elliff says, "I found it surprising, almost shocking, to find some of the greatest expressions of faith within 100 miles of the United States. The thing that astonished me is how much they have to teach us, not how much we have to teach them."

"We can benefit from the example of their undying faith [and] they can benefit from our resources," he concludes. "Together, we could be a powerful influence for Christ throughout the world.