Adventist Musician in Cuba Wins National Award With Songs Pointing to Christ

Recognition at prestigious Cuban music competition highlights faith-based message on national stage.

January 22, 2026 | Havana, Cuba | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

A Seventh-day Adventist musician in Cuba received national recognition after winning an Album of the Year award in the Alternative Music category at the Premios Arpa, one of the country’s major music competitions, using Christian songs that openly point to Jesus Christ as Savior.

Darion Gavilán received the award on Nov. 23 during the nationally broadcast gala in Havana for his album Yahweh, marking a rare moment for Christian music on mainstream Cuban platforms.

In addition to his Premios Arpa win, Gavilán also received multiple nominations that connected his music to Cuba’s respected Cubadisco and Premios Lucas platforms, which rarely feature overtly Christian content. His song “Pecado” (Sin) won in its category, while another track, “A Pesar de Todo” (Despite Everything), also received nominations recently.

Faith That Crossed Church Walls

According to Gavilán, his journey into public Christian music began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he started sharing simple home recordings in a WhatsApp group of secular producers.

“What began as a group to evaluate technical aspects of music production became a space for theological discussions,” Gavilán said. “Little by little, God used my music to capture the attention of producers who work with major national and international artists.

Two well-known producers, Miguel Rosales and Gerónimo Labrada, later invited him to professionally record at the International Film and Television School in San Antonio de los Baños, where his music reached young filmmakers and media producers.

That exposure opened doors to Cuban television, including an invitation to the youth-oriented music program Cuerda Viva, where he was nominated with his song “En el Nombre de Jesús” from his first album, Salvo (Saved).

“The impact was so strong that secular media became interested,” he said. “Even when I faced pressure to change my message, I remained firm. The gospel is not negotiable. It is worth nothing to gain the world if I lose my Christ.”

Bible in Hand on National Television

During the award ceremony, Gavilán made a public faith statement by lifting a Bible on stage, a moment that resonated deeply with viewers and church members across the island.

“Lowering the microphone and raising the Bible was intentional,” he later wrote on social media. “What good is a song about salvation without the Bible, which is our guide? In my hardest moments, music wasn’t there, but God was. That day, the One who had to be exalted was the Lamb who died for our sins.”

“I don’t know how many received Jesus that night, but I do know that they were told Christ came to save them — and that was the goal,” he said.

Church Leaders Celebrate Breakthrough

Ireidys Pita, communication director of the Cuban Union, said Gavilán is widely respected across Christian denominations and recognized for consistently living his faith in both private and public settings.

“Darion is a true Christian inside and outside of the spotlight,” Pita said. “He shares Adventist beliefs clearly and respectfully in secular spaces and among other denominations. His wife is also a strong support in his ministry. We openly support him and regularly invite him to church events.”

Pita recently worked with Gavilán and his group while recording the soundtrack for ‘God Is in Your Story,’ the main drama production for the 2025 National Pathfinder Camporee.

“I can testify that they serve God with tireless dedication,” she said. “They offer their time and talents joyfully. For us as Adventists, this feels like seeing God open a door we long believed was firmly closed — but one that no one had dared to push with enough faith until now.”

She added that seeing Gavilán lift a Bible before a national audience was deeply meaningful.

“It is a great joy and a healthy pride to see him lift the Bible before the Cuban people, who so desperately need God’s peace, love, and direction,” she said.

A Historic Moment for Christian Media in Cuba

Pastor Ray Frometa, youth ministries director of the Cuban Union, said the award represents more than personal success, it signals a broader shift for Christian visibility in Cuban society.

“This award marks a milestone not only in contemporary Christian music in Cuba, but in the history of the Christian church in the country,” Frometa said. “For more than six decades, there has been virtually no space in public media for Christian music or programs. That makes this recognition even more significant.”

He said Gavilán’s faithfulness helped open new opportunities.

“Darion has shown exceptional talent and remarkable firmness in his faith,” Frometa said. “Instead of closing doors, his integrity has helped open them. This achievement reflects how God continues opening paths for the gospel to reach more people in our nation.”

Frometa called the award “a sign of hope” for young believers in Cuba.

“It is proof that faith continues to grow and gain space, even in contexts where it once seemed impossible,” he said.

Music as Mission

Church leaders said Gavilán’s success reflects the Adventist Church’s emphasis on using creative arts to reach broader audiences with messages of hope, health, and salvation.

As church leaders continue to invest in youth-led initiatives in music, media, and evangelism, they say Gavilán’s experience shows how faith and creativity can open doors far beyond church walls. Gavilán, for his part, says his mission remains unchanged.

“The gospel is the Word of God, and it is the only thing that will remain forever,” he said. “Maranatha. Jesus is coming soon.”