Celebrate New Life in Christ “on Earth as in Heaven” (Matt. 6:10)
Long before President Obama set foot in Cuba in March 2016, American Baptist International Ministries (IM) was sowing seeds of love, hope and encouragement in Cuba’s Baptist churches. IM’s presence in Cuba dates back to 1898, and IM’s first in-country, post-revolutionary ministry dates back to 1996. IM’s vision for this year’s World Mission Offering (WMO) is “on earth as in heaven,” which reminds us of God’s invitation to participate in his work in the world. And that’s just what IM is doing. Through support of the WMO we can help celebrate and support Cuba’s spiritual revival—by praying, equipping, serving, proclaiming, teaching, inviting, healing and encouraging in the name of Jesus.
Our support of the WMO will help to fuel the growth of the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention through financial and global worker support and through International Ministries (IM)-sponsored pastor conferences as well as support and encourage sister-church relationships between Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Since 1990, the number of churches in Cuba has grown by 450%. The number of baptisms has risen by over 500%. And the number of prayer groups and total church memberships have climbed in equally high numbers. After decades of harsh restrictions, “the church of God has risen from the ashes,” says a retired Cuban church leader who witnessed the remarkable change firsthand. “In God’s time, the hearts of so many people have been opened up to the goodness of the gospel.”
Cuba’s spiritual awakening is but one of many thriving ministries run by IM partners and more than 1,800 long-and-short-term global workers in more than 70 countries around the world.
The 2016 World Mission Offering will be received during worship on September 25th. The Mission Board set goals at the start of the year on these special offerings; given overall budget challenges and reductions in many areas, we targeted a slightly lower WMO goal of $2,750 for 2016. However, I’m praying we’ll exceed $3,000. Thank you in advance for your support.
You will hear more about IM efforts in Cuba and around the world in the coming weeks. Please give prayer and intentional thought regarding the WMO, as together we help people everywhere come to Christ, grow in their relationships with God and change their world through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“On Earth as in Heaven”
Doug Miller, Board of Missions