Evangelism in Cuba

[Cow Poke]

I'm wondering what affect the normalizing of relations (to whatever extent that occurs) with Cuba may have on Evangelism.

A good friend of mine is a fellow Pastor who, like me, is interested in Missions. His Dad, even at 75 years of age, frequently visits communist and former communist countries sharing the Gospel.

Scot, my friend, has been to Cuba probably a dozen times in the past year and a half, but over the last six months he has observed something incredible. The Cuban people seem very hungry for the Gospel. Scot takes Church members with him (currently, they have to fly to a foreign country, then to Cuba, due to travel restrictions) to share the Gospel. There are local people there who will introduce these itinerant wannabe evangelists to homes in various neighborhoods, where our people (Scot's church members) will share the Gospel.

Amazingly, 8 out of 10 people who are presented the Gospel are accepting Christ as Savior, and quite enthusiastically, at that.

People who have never won anybody to Jesus are finding it incredibly easy to share the Gospel, and see people coming to faith in Christ.

Again, I wonder if relaxing of travel restrictions might lead to -- who knows, maybe an honest-to-goodness Holy Ghost Revival?

[Sparko]

I hear China is a growth area for Christianity too. It seems the worse people have it, the more they want Christ.

[Cow Poke]

I hear China is a growth area for Christianity too. It seems the worse people have it, the more they want Christ.

Yes, we support several Missionaries to China. Of course, they're not "Missionaries", because China is still a "closed nation" to Missions. But they are English professors, Technical consultants, etc who just happen to talk about Christ a lot.

There are hundreds of thousands of "house Churches" in China, and it's almost like it's a badge of honor for a Chinese person to "host a house Church", even if they are not a believer.

[Sparko]

Yes, we support several Missionaries to China. Of course, they're not "Missionaries", because China is still a "closed nation" to Missions. But they are English professors, Technical consultants, etc who just happen to talk about Christ a lot.

There are hundreds of thousands of "house Churches" in China, and it's almost like it's a badge of honor for a Chinese person to "host a house Church", even if they are not a believer.

It just seems ironic. Atheists love to argue about "the problem of pain/suffering" and why would God allow it. But in fact, the more there is, the more people will turn to Christ. Without need, people tend to ignore God and think "what do I need God for? My life is great"

[Catholicity]

I read somewhere that China may pass the us in the number of Christians in the next ten years or so. About Cuba I am excited about the Pope's visit because it means the allowance of Christianity in Cuba. Fidel had closed the country to Catholicism that's not to say it wasn't practiced underground. Monks and nuns were not allowed to commune with the pope to receive doctrinal correction and the state of religion has been sad.

[One Bad Pig]

Fidel Castro actually had an Orthodox church built in Havana 11 years ago (IIRC, two others have been built in Cuba since).

[Cow Poke]

Fidel Castro actually had an Orthodox church built in Havana 11 years ago (IIRC, two others have been built in Cuba since).

And (only asking because I'm ignorant of this) he actually allowed them to operate without interference? Not just a "show of religious tolerance"?

[One Bad Pig]

And (only asking because I'm ignorant of this) he actually allowed them to operate without interference? Not just a "show of religious tolerance"?

Apparently. It seems that the last Orthodox church in Havana had been closed in 1975; the Greeks had built it for their consulate. They had been petitioning since to re-open it (it had been turned into a market), but Castro decided to build a new one for them instead. The new churches, from what I gather, are mostly Cuban converts.

[Cow Poke]

Apparently. It seems that the last Orthodox church in Havana had been closed in 1975; the Greeks had built it for their consulate. They had been petitioning since to re-open it (it had been turned into a market), but Castro decided to build a new one for them instead. The new churches, from what I gather, are mostly Cuban converts.

Interesting. Thanks!

[Truthseeker]

What is a Holy Ghost revival?

[Cow Poke]

What is a Holy Ghost revival?

Thanks for asking. My own contrivance, I guess, but meaning to indicate that it's the real thing - not just an emotional or....

I mean that the Holy Ghost is actually present and "driving" the thing, rather than just some smoothtalking evangelist or some populist movement.

[Pentecost]

What is a Holy Ghost revival?

Something resembling what occurred through the preachings of folk like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and John Wesley I imagine is what he means.

[bling]

I am also supporting some in communist China and am aware of rapid growth.
In some ways strong persecution (similar to the first century) might benefit the growth.
The master's plan of evangelizing in the Bible the world requires organic growth and not a hierarchal system.
Persecution does get weed out the hypocrites and does not provide for high paying positions.
I do not know what might work best for Cuba, but North Korea, China, Iran and Southeast Asia are experiencing rapid growth as far as I can tell.

[phat8594]

Amazingly, 8 out of 10 people who are presented the Gospel are accepting Christ as Savior, and quite enthusiastically, at that.

People who have never won anybody to Jesus are finding it incredibly easy to share the Gospel, and see people coming to faith in Christ.

Again, I wonder if relaxing of travel restrictions might lead to -- who knows, maybe an honest-to-goodness Holy Ghost Revival?

We (me and my wife) actually went on a missions trip to Bolivia with Mission Generation, where they are able to teach about Jesus through a curriculum in Public Schools. As we went from classroom to classroom, presenting the gospel we saw much of the same thing. It was incredible to watch.

The truth is, there are many people out there that are HUNGRY for the gospel. It is amazing to watch, indeed.


Here is the MG website: http://missiongeneration.org/

[One Bad Pig]

What is a Holy Ghost revival?