July 28, 2007 – Medellin, Colombia…[Libna Stevens/IAD]
For the first time in 48 years, the largest ever Cuban delegation of Seventh-day Adventist youth participated in an Inter-America Division youth event.
Amid cheers and shouts, 22 young Cubans were welcomed on July 26 in the crowded Plaza Mayor Convention Center in Medellin, Colombia, as they joined over 5,000 of their fellow Adventists gathered for Inter-America’s first Youth Leadership and Prayer Convention.
“It’s an honor for us to be with you tonite,” said Pastor Ruber Alvarez, youth ministries director for the church in Cuba.
The group had difficulties clearing visas and detoured to Colombia’s neighboring country of Venezuela, spent sleepless nights and took a 36-hour bus ride to arrive near the end of the youth event.
“This is truly a miracle,” said Pastor Bernardo Rodriguez as he embraced Pastor Alvarez on-stage as the teary-eyed crowd cheered on. We are so excited you are here. God has answered our prayers and allowed you to enjoy this fellowship with us.”
A second group of 22 delegates from Cuba arrived the following day to present their youth report to the expectant crowd.
“It is a pleasure for me to greet you on behalf of the more than 30,000 church members we have in our island with the 15,200 youth we have there,” said Pastor Alvarez during Cuba’s delegation report segment Friday evening.
“The youth in Cuba is dedicated to the salvation and service to others,” he continued. “We thank God because for the first time the in 48 years, permission was granted so that 44 young people can be here in the name of Jesus. Our hope is that Cuba is not absent in these events, that Cuba be present and you can also be present in Cuba someday.”
Pastor Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America, stated that and Inter-American Division would be donating a sizable amount to help the Cuban delegation and invited the thousands gathered to join in supporting their fellow Cuban peers as they head back to Cuba on July 29.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba has a growing membership of more than 30,000 members, 272 churches and a Theological Seminary.
