Seeking Kingdom Vision in Cuba
by Terrell Carter, Churchnet Board Member
In recent years, I have had the opportunity to travel
overseas a few times. I have traveled to Bucharest,
Romania, where I taught “Foundations of the New
Testament” to rural Gypsy pastors. As a doctor of
ministry student, I traveled to multiple cities in
Myanmar (formerly Burma) and learned first-hand
how Christians navigated living in a primarily
Buddhist country. I have also taught self-care to
pastors and leaders in Guatemala.
Each time that I have visited a foreign land, I have
returned to the United States with a renewed confidence in the formation of God’s Kingdom in the here and now and how God consistently works through people who simply make themselves available to God’s presence. This was true during my recent travels to Santiago de Cuba with Gary Snowden, missional collaboration team leader for Churchnet, and members representing First Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and First Baptist Church in Farmington, Mo.
While traveling in Cuba, I was blessed to meet multiple pastors and leaders who, although they lived in small towns and villages without the technology or amenities that I am used to, are leading ministries that are making a tremendous impact within their local communities.
Pastors like Joey, who serves the Sixth Baptist Church of Santiago. Pastor Joey is young and full of energy. He smiles at everyone
he passes and greets them with a hearty
handshake. If you did not know him, you would
think that he was running for a political office.
Pastor Joey’s church meets in a concrete building
that is smaller than some of the classrooms at
the seminary where I work. There is no air
conditioning and when more than 50 people are
in the space, there is no legroom to stretch out.
Yet, most Sundays, 125 people show up to worship
together. Those who get there early can find a
seat. Everyone else sits or stands outside the
entrance to the building and joyfully participates.
The members and visitors to the church are
simply happy to have a place to worship.