Adventist Church in Cuba trains literature evangelists for the first time in 59 years

Literature evangelists from across Cuba pose for a picture as the gathered in Havana during a three-day training to share publications across the island, Mar. 23-25, 2017. Image courtesy of Dayami Rodríguez/IAD

April 24, 2017 | Havana, Cuba | IAD Staff

For the first time in 59 years, the Seventh-day Adventist in Cuba gathered dozens of colporteurs or literature evangelists for an historic three-day congress in La Vibora Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba, last month.

The event, themed “Bringing Hope”, was a step toward reshaping the publishing ministries in Cuba from the ground up, said Pastor Erwin Gonzalez, publishing ministries director for the church in Inter-America.

Literature evangelists were taught the plan of God regarding publications, and about their role as missionary messengers. Leaders and administrators were instructed on the process of structuring, recruiting and preparing literature evangelists, setting goals for the coming months, and starting a literature evangelist school.

“This is extraordinary progress for the publishing ministry in Cuba,” said Pastor González, who led the congress in Cuba.

According to González it was a crucial event to help form literature evangelists in Cuba who have been faithful messengers of the truth without any formal training.

“House-to-house visitations for bible studies and anything promoting religion and beliefs was not permitted, except for a 100-meter area surrounding a church,” explained González.

Colporteurs in Cuba commit to shine the light of hope in their communities. Image by Erwin González/IAD

The publishing work gained strength in 2014 when 100,000 missionary books called “Mas allá de la imaginación” (Beyond Imagination) by John T. Baldwin L. James Gibson Jerry D. Thomas were ordered by the Union and distributed.

“Many members bought the books themselves and distributed them throughout the island,” said González.

Three theology students enrolled in Cuba’s Theological Seminary during that time, two from Mexico and one from Guatemala, began sharing their literature evangelist experience with their fellow students.

“The foreign students encouraged, trained and accompanied the theology students in spreading hope through publications,” said González. “They built that bridge that helped launch the publishing ministry across the five local church fields in Cuba.”

Risseldy Pillo, publishing director for the church Cuba, said that people are thirsty for new books. Many pastors from other denominations have bought boxes of Adventist books to distribute to their members.

The Inter-American Division Publishing Association, one of two publishing houses in Inter-America, is providing books at a low cost in Cuba, said González. “Although wages are low there, people are saving up to purchase these books,” he said.

“Our goal is to have 50 full-time literature evangelists at the end of the year and duplicate that amount by the end of quinquennium,” said Pillo. One of the biggest challenges is the out-of-pocket cost to the literature evangelist, said Pillo. “Many have to save so much to be able to buy the books already lowered by the publishing house and the union.”

Literature Evangelists Magda Canelles and Maria Lunar testified of an entire family who accepted the gospel and was baptized into the church thanks to the publications they received.

Leaders are optimistic and continue to move forward in evangelizing through the publishing ministry.

President of the Adventist Church in Cuba Pastor Aldo Perez, admitted his inexperience as a church member growing up and later as a leader. “This is all new to us. Colporting was not part of our ministry on the island years ago, but by the grace of God we will fulfill the task ahead with publications,” Perez said.

The next step after training is for literature evangelists to become part of the church work force on the island, said González. “I see their dedication and joyous spirit as true missionaries, excited to share the good news of salvation without the eagerness for money.”

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba has more than 33,500 church members worshiping in 457 churches and congregations.

Dayamis Rodríguez contributed to this report.