Discipleship Catalysts in Cuba

Pavel and Annia are a magnificent pastoral couple with whom we have been working hand in hand in recent months. They have become catalysts of a movement of disciples in the province of Villa Clara, located in central Cuba. Pavel and his people sow the gospel abundantly, disciple in homes through the 3 thirds groups, and in addition, train and mentor other churches and are seeing abundant fruit.

The denomination with which Pavel and Annia work has a very restrictive doctrine regarding the issue of baptism. Before being baptized, a person must demonstrate for years that they are a committed Christian and meet many established requirements. This meant that despite showing genuine faith and fruits of repentance, many people they were discipling were not being baptized and were excluded from certain church activities and communion.

That said, for months, something has been happening. In the Discovery Bible study groups, every time passages about baptism were studied, the disciples noticed a divergence between the regulations of the denomination and what the Bible says. At one point, Pavel and Annia asked themselves: Shouldn’t we obey God before men? Isn’t obeying Christ what the believer’s life is all about?

It was a challenging step, but they decided to baptize 26 disciples who attended the 3 thirds groups of their local congregation! There is celebration in the church and in heaven. Pavel testifies that this step of obedience has brought much joy, commitment, and revival in his community. Let us continue praying for what God is doing in the town of Manicaragua and for this movement to continue to expand throughout Cuba.

“Pavel and Annia asked themselves: Shouldn’t we obey God before men? Isn’t obeying Christ what the believer’s life is all about?”