BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Cuba: Amazing Grace

My excitement about what God is doing in the Kingdom work normally runs open throttle. But I confess that my visits to fellow Baptists in Haiti and Cuba push the throttle a little more. The Father is doing some great work in these countries.

The Florida Baptist Convention has been faithful partners with Haitian Baptists since 1995 and Cuban Baptists since 1996. Our participation in these countries was encouraged and supported by their fellow countrymen who are members of the 235 Hispanic and 261 Haitian congregations affiliated with the Florida Baptist State Convention. The pastors of these churches have been partners in the Florida Baptist mission enterprise both in our state and in these countries. God continues to bless our work.

I returned recently from a trip to Cuba. My assignment was to preach at the Western Cuba Baptist Convention and to renew our partnership documents.

Calvin Miller, professor of preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., observes in his latest book Miracles and Wonders: “Wake up to doubt and your God will be locked in heaven and you will be jailed on earth. But wake up to faith and miracles will thrust themselves each moment into your awareness. God will become for you the God of infinite possibilities.”

This statement could not be truer in Cuba. I rarely see such faith. Their commitment is a challenge to my own walk of faith. Let me make some observations.

The national convention meeting drew between 850 and 1,000 Cuban Baptists to Calvary Baptist Church in Havana. The people were standing “wall to wall.” I estimate that at least 60 percent of those in attendance were younger than 45 years of age, which means all of them would have become Christians since the Cuban revolution in 1959! That is amazing grace!

During the convention meeting, 24 new churches were welcomed as constituted members. One of those churches had been started by a young man whose heart was touched by the spiritual lostness of the community. As he worked to start the church he slept on park benches for weeks. Amazing grace!

A total of 203 constituted churches comprise the Western Cuba Baptist Convention—and another 1,115 house churches serve as a Christian witness in their communities. What an extraordinary church starting movement, often under very difficult circumstances. Amazing grace!

The Western Cuba Baptist Convention Seminary is at capacity with students including 23 new students who enrolled this year. The students live at the seminary during the week, return home on weekends and often pastor more than one church. They are bright and articulate...Amazing grace!

How wonderful to feel the presence of God in other places. How exciting to know that language, cultural and political barriers can be vaulted by the preaching of the gospel. May the heavenly Father continue to bless his followers in Cuba.

Thank you, Father, for giving me the privilege of serving Florida Baptists who care about the people of Cuba.

SULLIVAN'S OTHER ARTICLES

You may contact Dr. John Sullivan at
1-800-226-8584, ext. 8102, or by email.