Cuba
Platform67
June 2021
Economic upheaval in Cuba
Prayer is requested as the country undergoes major upheaval. Wages and prices have increased five-fold after Cuba moves from using three different currencies to two. The change is seen as vital but is happening at the worst possible time with the economy badly hit by Covid-19. Those not receiving government salaries (e.g., pastors) will struggle. Meanwhile, in-person Bible training classes are slowly resuming. With a significant improvement in internet availability, there are also some online classes becoming available. Lots to thank the Lord for but pray for pastors who are struggling. Ask the Lord for wisdom in managing diminishing incomes.
SIM UK
December 2020
Latin American Church
Pray for the Latin American Church as it comes to understand the vital role it has in sending people into missions. Pray also for trust-filled partnerships between SIM, churches and missionaries; the development of new partnerships with non-SIM sending agencies across the region; and the provision of prayer and financial support, particularly for those from countries and contexts with extreme financial difficulties, such as Cuba and Venezuela.
Reach Beyond
April 2019
Translating the Bible into Cuban Sign Language
There are over 400 different sign languages worldwide. In many parts of the world, the hearing-impaired have little access to education and therefore struggle to read the Bible. What is more, most of these sign languages do not yet have a translation of the Bible in video format. We are currently partnering with hearing-impaired pastors and congregations in Cuba to translate the Bible into Cuban Sign Language. Earlier this year, the recording of the Gospel of John was completed. Pray for the dedicated team as they continue to make the Word of God accessible to all people.
Scottish Bible Society
October 2018
Bibles needed for Cuba
The need for Bibles in Cuba is urgent as 40% of believers do not have a Bible, many sharing one Bible between a whole Bible study group. Furthermore, many who do have Bibles find that they are old and so well used that they are in a very poor condition. The One Million Bible Mission project will work with churches from all denominations to distribute Bibles to Christians in Cuba who desperately want their own copy of God’s word. The Bible Commission (the name for the Bible Society in Cuba) are also providing scriptures for children and youth, and large print Bibles for the elderly. Only Bibles donated through Bible Societies around the world are allowed into Cuba. Pray for the import and distribution of Bibles into Cuba, and that everyone desperately waiting will soon experience the joy of having their own copy of God’s word.
Scottish Bible Society
July 2018
Bringing God’s Word to Christians in Cuba
The need for Bibles in Cuba is urgent as 40% of believers do not have a Bible – many sharing one Bible between a whole Bible study group. And many who do have Bibles find that they are old and so well used that they are in a very poor condition.
The ‘One Million Bible Mission’ project will work with churches from all denominations to distribute Bibles to Christians in Cuba who desperately want their own copy of God’s Word. The Bible Commission (the name for the Bible Society in Cuba) are also providing Scriptures for children and youth, and large print Bibles for the elderly. Only Bibles donated through Bible Societies around the world are allowed into Cuba.
Pray for the import and distribution of Bibles into Cuba, and that everyone desperately waiting will soon experience the joy of having their own copy of God’s Word.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide
September 2017
Ladies in White
The Ladies in White are a tremendously brave group of female human rights activists who, every Sunday, peacefully protest the imprisonment of human rights defenders. For this, they are blocked from attending religious activities including Mass, put under house arrest, interrogated and even beaten. Pray that God would grant them renewed courage and endurance.
Reach Beyond
September 2014
Million Bible Mission
Cuba has seen unprecedented church growth in recent years. According to estimates, the evangelical church is currently growing at a rate of 10-25% per year in the country. While the island nation has a number of seminaries, a significant number of lay leaders have had little or no Bible training, and many believers do not own a copy of the Bible, forcing them to share. In response to this need, UBS (comprising some 146 Bible Societies worldwide) has joined with the Bible Commission of Cuba to launch a campaign called the ‘Million Bible Mission’. The goal is to provide 1 million Bibles for Cubans as well as resources and leadership training to support the growing church.
Reach Beyond
January 2014
Need for trained counsellors
This last outpost of Communism in the West continues to create difficulties for the Church there. Foreign missions are largely restricted and there is disunity amongst the Christian denominations in the country. There is also a desperate need for trained counsellors in Cuba, and in the autumn eight locations around the country began counselling training. There are now plans for several resource centres to be launched in various regions of Cuba to equip ministry facilitators serving in family counselling, education and leadership. Pray that these Centres will be able to function without persecution and will be a channel for God’s peace and love.
Latin Link
July 2011
Intensive theology training
Intensive theology training courses are having an impact on the church in Cuba. Cuban pastors are teaching other pastors, house church leaders, Sunday school teachers and youth ministers, who then promise to teach what they've learnt to others. In one recent case, two tutors taught 26 people who have promised to pass on the teaching to 163 other people in their respective churches. Pray for funding to continue this exciting work, and pray that the knowledge being shared will truly strengthen the Cuban church.
Latin Link
March 2011
Cause for encouragement
Situated only 90 miles from the Florida coast, in recent decades Cuba has suffered under hostile American political policies, including trade embargoes and migration restrictions. For many years the country’s predominantly Catholic culture has been at odds with its socialist framework. However, the last decade has seen a general opening up towards religious issues, which has been accompanied by substantial growth in Protestant churches. Pray for the vital ongoing work in leadership training and for creative ways for mission workers to meet the criteria for acquiring visas.
Organisations with connections in Cuba
Population: 11,239,224 (2016)
Literacy: 96%
Official languages: Spanish
GDP (PPP) per capita: $20,646 (2013 est.)
Life expectancy: 79 years
Religions: 60% Catholic, 25% Atheist or Agnostic, 5% Protestant, 10% other religions