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The Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba
Daniel Izquierdo is an ordained minister serving the Presbyterian
Church in San Antonio de los Baños as a full-time pastor.
He lives next door to the church with his wife and two children.
Not many years ago, however, Daniel served this congregation
as a lay pastor, traveling 12 kilometers by bicycle to lead worship
services attended by a handful of people. At times nobody would
show up. If asked why he bothered to travel all that way for nobody,
Daniel would respond: "Simply having the church doors open
is an important witness."
These days 50 or more persons gather on a typical Sunday morning
to worship God at the San Antonio church. Fifteen to twenty children
attend Sunday school. Daniel's bicycle still gets a workout as
he makes pastoral visits around this town of about 40,000 inhabitants.
But the fact that he has only a few steps to travel between home
and church is a source of great joy for a congregation that has
a resident pastor for the first time in 35 years.
San Antonio Presbyterian Church is not alone in experiencing
remarkable church growth. Each one of the congregations in the
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba reports similar statistics.
In Guines, Ismael Madruga has been the pastor for more than 30
years. He remembers all too well the years when church attendance
averaged about 12 persons. Now he regularly preaches to a congregation
of over 100 adults. Another 25 children attend Sunday school.
Worship attendance in San Nicolás de Bari was down to
four regular attendees during "the difficult years."
Pastor Ary Fernandez reports that currently there are 36 church
members and a regular worship attendance of more than 50.
"The Difficult Years"
The Presbyterian Church, similar to all the churches in Cuba,
was plunged into crisis when large numbers of its leaders and
members chose to leave the country after Fidel Castro's government
assumed power. In 1958, there were 53 Presbyterian pastors in
Cuba. A few years later, there were fewer than 20 pastors left
in the country.
Many Cuban Presbyterians were particularly dispirited when the
government took control of all private schools, including a number
of distinguished Presbyterian-run institutions.
The absence of so many pastors and members, the loss of the church's
educational ministry, and major societal changes left the Presbyterian
Church shaky and uncertain about its future.
People in the United States commonly assume that Christians are
persecuted in Cuba. That is not the case. However, until the 1990s
there was officially sanctioned discrimination against Christians
that particularly affected educational and employment opportunities.
Religious activity was often viewed with suspicion. Many Christians
stopped going to church.
The official attitude toward religion began to change about 15
years ago. This is symbolized in a significant constitutional
change that was made in 1992. Instead of being an "atheist"
state, Cuba became a "secular" state. These days it
is more acceptable to be a Christian in Cuba.
It would be a mistake to assume that "the difficult years"
were "bad years." There was significant growth during
those years as well. The numbers were down, but prayer and theological
reflection grew ever deeper. "We have learned so much that
we can share with you," the Rev. Dora Arce tells Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) congregations that are concerned about their shrinking
attendance and budgets. "We know that displacement and discouragement
can give birth to greater understanding of God's will for the
church, greater commitment to being the body of Christ in the
world."
Praying with Cuban Presbyterians
With the churches filling up with people, there is rejoicing.
But there are also challenges and dangers, as illustrated in these
two comments I heard on my October trip to Cuba:
- "You can't make a Sunday school teacher overnight."
It takes more than training to develop new leaders. Maturity
in the faith and experience in the church are acquired only
with time. But large number of children and youth are at the
doorstep today!
- "We do not want to become dependent again!" In the
late 1950s, an estimated 70% of the Cuban Presbyterian Church's
budget came from financial resources from the United States.
Cubans are understandably proud that Presbyterian witness has
survived and thrived through an independent church. At a time
of increased demands, economic difficulties, and greater-than-ever
contact with North American and European churches, will the
church become dependent on the outside once again?
Pray for the church as it faces these challenges. Pray for reconciliation
between our two countries.
Grace be with you.
Tricia
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