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Through kids' ministry, churches impact communities and futures

Though many restrictions have been lifted for Cubans, and they have more freedoms (religious and otherwise) than in past years, the government still places limitations on Christians. However, this has not stopped the church from growing and thriving in the past 15 to 20 years, according to John Dyck, WorldServe Ministries field director for Cuba, reports MNN.

For example, the Cuban government will not allow the construction of new church buildings. Christians, therefore, meet in house churches. And though Dyck said no more than 15 people are legally allowed to meet together for house church, he has seen as many as 200 people packed into a house to worship.

As the church booms, lack of funds and proper training limit them from doing all they want to do. WorldServe steps in to fill in the gaps and empower church workers: "Driving what WorldServe specifically does in Cuba is the fact that we believe that it should be Cubans who are reaching other Cubans for Jesus Christ," Dyck said.

Dyck calls WorldServe a "contact point," as they connect North American ministries with the work already taking place in Cuba. This partnership enables the Cuban church to have the maximum impact, as well as allows North American ministries to help where needed most.

One specific partner is Christian Camping International, which is "an alliance of 18 associations whose leaders serve the Christian camping movement and impact 12 million campers each year," according to their Web site.

WorldServe partners with them in children's ministry. Dyck said Cubans place a high value on children's ministry: "The Cuban churches already are very tuned in to the fact that children's ministry is a great window of opportunity to reach homes which otherwise may not be reached."

When working with children, not only are workers sharing Christ in creative ways, they are also altering the future of communities throughout Cuba, as children bring what they learn back to their parents. With each child's decisions for Christ, their life outlook changes, which will influence his or her career and social choices in the future.

But these excited kids are not the only ones turning to Christ: "The conversions that they are seeing among children are huge," Dyck said. "But even more than that, ... there's a hunger among the parents to find something that works for their family."

At one children's outreach organized by a WorldServe Canadian partner, Dyck said around 150 kids showed up, as well as 80 parents.

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TAGS: Cuba WorldServe Ministries children's ministry Christian Camping International

[06/26/2010]

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