Dia del Misionero Bautista Cubano (Cuban Baptist Missionary Day)

Nos unimos a la Celebración, en este Domingo, del Día del Misionero en muchas Iglesias Bautistas en nuestra Isla, pues este Martes 19 se cumplen 142 años d la llegada del Dr. Alberto J Diaz, Pionero d la Obra Bautista en Cuba.
Hoy día cientos d hombres y mujeres han seguido su ejemplo y sirven en las misiones dentro d la Isla y en muchos lugares d otras naciones donde Dios les ha llevado.
Dios bendiga a todos los Misioneros en su valioso Ministerio para la extensión del Reino d Dios.

Esta es la historia…

DIA DEL MISIONERO BAUTISTA CUBANO.

El 19 de marzo se cumplen 142 años de la llegada a La Habana del misionero bautista Alberto Jesús Díaz Navarro. Después de su conversión a Jesucristo en Brooklyn, EEUU, Alberto sintió un apasionante deseo de traer el evangelio a su patria. Ese 19 de marzo de 1882 vino con tres cajas de Biblias y una gran pasión que ha dado frutos hasta el presente en miles de cubanos alcanzandos para Cristo. Por su trabajo en la misión, el Dr. Alberto J. Díaz ha sido uno de los más grandes obreros cristianos de la historia de Cuba. Su trabajo y liderazgo llegó a ser tal, que la Convención Bautista del Sur, la obra más misionera de la historia, en un informe oficial calificó el trabajo de Díaz en Cuba durante sus primeros 7 años como “Una maravilla de las misiones modernas”. En los primeros 14 años de trabajo ya habían en Cuba 7 iglesias, 22 misiones y más de 2700 miembros bautizados. La obra tenía un templo (el actual templo de la iglesia de La Habana “El Calvario”; el mismo se encuentra en reconstrucción debido a las grandes afectaciones por la explosión del hotel “Saratoga”) un hospital, un cementerio, un periódico denominacional, una Escuela para Señoritas y varias Escuelas diurnas para enseñar a leer y a escribir a los niños.
En 1893, en la iglesia “Getsemaní” que él fundo y pastoreó en el templo de Zulueta y Dragones, en un culto de celebración al que asistieron muchos invitados norteamericanos incluido el pastor que lo bautizó, colocó un enorme cartel detrás del púlpito que expresaba un sueño que ha pasado a todas las denominaciones evangélicas cubanas. El cartel decía: “Cuba Para Cristo”.
Por esta razón la Convención Bautista de Cuba Occidental celebra en esta fecha el “Día del Misionero Bautista Cubano”

¡FELICITACIONES A TODOS LOS MISIONEROS BAUTISTAS CUBANOS EN TODO EL MUNDO!

We join the Celebration, on this Sunday, of the Missionary Day in many Baptist Churches on our Island, because this Tuesday 19 will be 142 years since the arrival of Dr. Alberto J Diaz, Pioneer of the Baptist Work in Cuba.
Today hundreds of men and women have followed their example and serve in the missions within the Island and in many other nations where God has taken them.
God bless all Missionaries in their precious Ministry for the extension of the Kingdom of God.

This is the story…

CUBAN BAPTIST MISSIONARY DAY.

March 19 marks 142 years since the arrival in Havana of the Baptist missionary Alberto Jesús Díaz Navarro. After his conversion to Jesus Christ in Brooklyn, USA, Alberto felt an exciting desire to bring the gospel to his homeland. That March 19, 1882 came with three boxes of Bibles and a great passion that has borne fruit so far in thousands of Cubans reaching for Christ. For his work in the mission, Dr. Alberto J. Díaz has been one of the greatest Christian workers in the history of Cuba. His work and leadership became such that the Southern Baptist Convention, the most missionary work in history, in an official report described Díaz’s work in Cuba during his first 7 years as “A marvel of modern missions”. In the first 14 years of work there were already in Cuba 7 churches, 22 missions and more than 2700 baptized members. The work had a temple (the current temple of the church of Havana “El Calvario”; the same is in reconstruction due to the major effects of the explosion of the hotel “Saratoga”) a hospital, a cemetery, a denominational newspaper, a School for Girls and several Day Schools to teach children to read and write.
In 1893, in the church “Gethsemane” which he founded and pastored in the temple of Zulueta and Dragons, in a celebration cult attended by many American guests including the pastor who baptized him, placed a huge sign behind the pulpit expressing a dream that has passed to all Cuban evangelical denominations. The sign read: “Cuba for Christ”.
For this reason the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba celebrates on this date the “Day of the Cuban Baptist Missionary”

Congratulations to all Cuban Baptist missionaries around the world!

Joy in Heaven!

Hay gozo en los cielos cuando un pecador se arrepiente y acepta a Jesucristo como Señor y Salvador, damos gracias a DIOS por Alex y Christian que aceptaron a Jesucristo como Señor y Salvador de sus vidas
También agradecemos por Daniel y Josué quienes están recibiendo y dando el discipulado.

There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents and accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We thank GOD for Alex and Christian who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives.
We also thank Daniel and Joshua who are giving these boys discipleship.

#E3 #Engage #Equip #Empower #FCACUBA #MADEM #IBNJ

Report from Eastern Cuba

El Ministerio Deportivo de la Iglesia Pentecostal “El Cordero de Dios” en Palma Soriano (en las afueras de Santiago de Cuba) desarrolló las actividades correspondientes en la semana del 11 al 17 del presente mes. Le damos gracias a Dios porque hemos visto el fruto de nuestro trabajo y a los inconversos visitando nuestra congregación. Tenemos el compromiso con Dios de no desmayar en la oración y seguir fortaleciendo el trabajo misionero.

The Sports Ministry of the Pentecostal Church “The Lamb of God” in Palma Soriano (near Santiago de Cuba) developed the corresponding activities during the week of the 11th to the 17th of this month. We thank God that we have seen the fruit of our work and the unsaved visiting our congregation. We have the commitment to God not to faint in prayer and to continue strengthening the missionary work.

Not of This World

”These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth…But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.“
‭ —Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭13,16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We, Christians, are not of this world. Often, we need a reminder of this. In today’s society, a “believer” many times is not much different in attitudes, ideas, hope, or worldview as a “non-believer”. Christians who truly commit their lives to Christ and his Kingdom feel uncomfortable in their worldly flesh. God has called us to be holy as he is holy, (Lev 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16) and the closer we follow God’s ways, the less concerned we will be with the world and more concerned with God’s purpose for us and those around us.

Spirit Power

“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Romans 8:9-10 ESV

Power. Something the flesh covets. It’s used for offense and defense therefore, almost every human has wanted or needed power at one time or another. When we are bullied as youngsters, we crave power for protection. When we desire something or someone, we crave power to get it. But something we don’t realize about power is that it is short lived. Have you ever tried to keep water in your cupped hands? Likewise, no one can keep power for long.

Spiritually speaking, ultimate power belongs to the ultimate person in the universe, the triune God. He gives us spiritual power through the Holy Spirit when we confess Jesus as Savior and Lord. And better yet, the Holy Spirit is forever with us.

Romans 8:11 says, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Now that is power, Resurrection power!

What this means is that we can have life the way God, our creator, meant for us to live it; with abundance, adventure, and service to Him and others.

We Need the Bible

We need the Bible to help us understand what is going on in the world, both the good and the bad. Without it, all is confusion and chaos. Consider the following quote:

“Every exposition of scripture is an extended counseling session in which the Holy Spirit shows us the wonder and power of the gospel and also exposes the secrets of our hearts.” — Sinclair Ferguson

It all starts with us doesn’t it? We need to recognize we are broken and lost, and we need God’s Word to show us the way. Only then can we make sense of what is going on around us and in us.

Our work in sports ministry in Cuba shows us this again and again. Young and old are attracted to sports. It’s universal, non- threatening, and fun. And while people are captivated by sports, they are even more captivated by the message of hope and freedom promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. We see it in Cubans and we see it in the coaches and athletes that come with us to Cuba. If you are a Christ follower, pray for this ministry. Come with us on a trip. Give to the work. If you are not a Christ follower, check out The Four at the FCA website https://thefour.fca.org

Why do we need the Bible? To learn to live an abundant, overflowing life now and forever with Christ.

Learning to Look

I recently came across this verse from the book of Habakkuk:

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/hab.1.5.ESV

The context is that God is responding to a complaint by Habakkuk. The prophet laments that evildoers are getting away with violence and wrongdoing without consequences. God reassures Habakkuk that he is in control and that kingdoms rise and fall only on his command. But if I may be permitted, I see something else at work here.

What I see still affirms God’s sovereignty but in a different way. He is teaching us to look beyond our own familiar world.

God is working in a mighty way in many parts of the world, parts of the world that we don’t see unless we open ourselves to them. We are so used to the familiar. We are so comfortable at home, and so we miss the opportunities God is making available to us. I can attest to this because it has happened to me in Cuba.

God is using amazing men and women in Cuba to expand His kingdom. These brothers and sisters are fighting dark forces of evil that enslave many Cubans: Communism, spiritualism, idol worship, Santeria and others. They sacrifice comfort and safety in another country as they choose to stay in Cuba and share the gospel under difficult conditions. One sees the struggle when one visits.

Yes, evildoers are getting away with many oppressions, but God is in control and he is using current circumstances for his glory. And his Holy Spirit is opening many hearts because of the hardships. So much so that we would not believe it unless we actually saw it. I have seen it, and you can as well. Come to Cuba and see what God is doing and be encouraged.

What Do We Truly Possess?

I got a call recently from a pastor friend in Cuba. He lives in a large city, and if you know anything about Cuba, you know that life there at this time is a struggle. He had been travelling throughout the countryside to encourage other ministers of the gospel. Those whom he met were in even humbler circumstances than he, which is a lot to say. Nevertheless, he remarked to me about how impressed he was that they were about the business of evangelizing and making disciples with heartfelt and joyful vigor. To him, it was a wonderful experience and it touched him that these folks were not focusing on what they didn’t have materially, but on sharing what they had that was of eternal value: their relationship with God. It struck me deeply that all is relative. Here he was telling me that he was humbled by the devotion of these very poor souls he had encountered. It was the very same sentiment that I have had each time I visit him in Cuba.

Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

In our society, we tend to make ourselves feel good by the aquisition of things, pleasure, or the money that brings them. It is a futile attempt to possess that which we cannot take with us after we die. Let us “lay up treasures in heaven” and may our hearts be there as well.

What is Your Foundation?

I’m not a construction engineer or builder, but I know a solid structure when I see it. I’ve learned to look at the most important part: the foundation. The foundation of a building, a bridge, or other structure tells us a lot about it. Seepage, cracks in the walls, settling or leaning to one side or another, all are signs that something is wrong with where the structure sits. Build the foundation properly, and problems are reduced or eliminated. Foundations can be repaired, but it’s best to start right. Make it a solid one.

God’s Word gives us direction on how to build a foundation for our lives. Paul states, “According to the grace given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3: 10-11. He was talking to believers that were confused as who to follow, and Paul reminded them that they must build on one solid foundation of Christ and none other.

What does this mean? It means that if you trust God with your life, and everything that concern you, you will stand firm when difficuties arise. You will not necessarily be kept from trouble, but you will be able to endure it with grace, poise, and peace.

Our friends in Cuba that minister through the avenue of sports are a wonderful example of lives founded on Christ. They are sacrificial and other-centered, because they want to share the game changing experience of following Christ.

Ask yourself: Do you have this confidence? Do you have this peace? If not, give yourself to Christ and don’t delay. You will find that you will be firmly established for the rest of your life!

Ongoing Sports Mission Work

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#FCACUBA #MADEM #MAYABEQUE

Sports missionary work in the province of Mayabeque

“And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to keep all that I have commanded you; and behold I am with you every day, unto the end of the world.” Amen.

St. Matthew 28:18 – 20 KJV

https://bible.com/es/bible/149/mat.28.18-20.RVR1960