World Of Witness - Cuba

Ministry

Mennonite Church Canada Witness has been providing leadership training for pastors and congregational leaders and aids the Cuban church leadership in coming together for sharing, learning, and decision-making. 2008 witnessed the birth of the Mennonite Church in Cuba. This comes at a time when we have been invited to a broader collaborative Mennonite presence in Cuba. It also is a time of significant transition for Cuba, adjusting to a new leader and possible changing relations with the United States. Mennonite Church Canada continues to foster relationships with various Cuban churches and Christian organizations to share the Anabaptist vision through leadership training. We are also walking alongside this emerging Mennonite Church as it grows and engages more than a dozen communities in eastern Cuba. For the Mennonite Church in Cuba, Anabaptism is simply a way to live life, integrating word and deed.

Celebrations

• The government of Cuba has strongly welcomed an historic Anabaptist presence in their country.
• A key church and government leader is a committed Anabaptist, and has reaffirmed the need for a Mennonite presence in Cuba.
• Encouraging discussions with other Mennonite bodies in North America regarding the possibility for expanded collaborative ministry and interaction.
• There is always great welcome and appreciation for the teaching we are able to do.
• Each Mennonite congregation has a small library of Anabaptist resources that is being used by members as well as by visitors interested to learn more.
• Anabaptism Births New Church in Cuba
• Light in Havana
• Assaulted with Exuberance
• Celebrating gifts in the church and a request for prayer
• Please, Extend Your Tents

Challenges

• Political changes mean changing legal requirements for ministry opportunities. Fascination from many regarding the church in Cuba has led to many groups trying to do short term ministry in Cuba without proper legal documentation. This has led to tightening requirements and scrutiny for all.
• Leadership development needs to keep pace with an expanding and changing church.
• Spanish language resources for leadership education and Christian nurture are needed: Bibles, commentaries, Anabaptist materials, etc.
• Reliable communication with church leaders is difficult due to limited internet access.

Partners

• Cuba Council of Churches
• Martin Luther King Center
• Iglesia Evangélica Misionera de Cuba (IEMC - Evangelical Missionary Church of Cuba)

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