October 17, 2011 – Santa Clara, Cuba…Libna Stevens/IAD
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba gathered its 150 ministers and their families for a historic retreat in Santa Clara last month. The event, which took place Sept. 23-25, became the first in 50 years to gather so many pastors and family members to unify and network as they strive to shepherd the fast growing church on the island.
“It has been such an accomplishment to gather our ministerial body for this council,” said Pastor Aldo Perez, president for the church in Cuba. “We came together to share spiritual messages, spend time with pastoral families, pray together and unify efforts to continue the great mission to spread the gospel.”
Nearly 400 met at the Canaan campground in central Cuba to participate in messages addressed to ministers, the ministry of pastor’s wives and the nurturing of pastoral children.
Pastor Hector Sanchez, ministerial secretary for the church in Cuba, spoke and encouraged pastors and their families to continue serving God as chosen leaders endeavoring to fulfill the mission of the church to a needy people on the island.
“Councils like this give the pastor and his family the opportunity to renew their commitment and calling and feel that their church has not forgotten nor abandoned them,” said Sanchez. “It’s about the identity of the pastor coming together with his identity as a husband and father.”
It was an end to a four-region visit across Inter-America for Pastor Sanchez and one he will never forget. “It was an indescribable experience to be with our pastors, pray with them and hear of the great blessings taking place throughout the church in Cuba,” he said.
Leticia De Los Santos, director for Shepherdess ministries for the church in Inter-America, spoke to pastor’s wives on how to develop a strong supporting ministry in the church and addressed dozens of children of pastoral families on their purpose and legacy in an uncertain world.
“Sharing with them these few days together lets them know that we place great value in the pastoral family, that the church is really concerned with them spiritually as well as socially and that the pastoral family is an integrated unit to the ministry,” said De Los Santos.
The event was part of a special launch of the Children of Pastors Club across the island.
Church leaders hope that once financial conditions improve, they will be able to repeat the event. “We are convinced that this was a true inspiration for the pastoral team in Cuba,” said Perez.
Organized in 1905, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba has more than 32,000 church members worshiping in more than 280 churches and operates three conferences, one mission, and a seminary.
To view photos related to this story, click here
