A Faith That Shines In The Dark: Lessons From The Cuban Church by Bret Tindol

Note: For several years, I have heard about the amazing things God is doing in the Methodist Church in Cuba. I have sought to see these firsthand on several occasions. However, for various reasons, those doors kept closing until this February. I took a group of four from our young church along with me as I taught at WME’s Unity in Mission in Havana. I strongly emphasized to the North American leaders who went with me that we are not there to tell the Cuban church what is wrong with them. Rather, I invited them to go with an attitude that asks, “What is right here? What is God doing? How can we come alongside one another in ministry?” What follows is the testimony of one of those leaders.
Rev. Robert Haynes, PhD
Lead Pastor, Christ Wesleyan Church
Education Liaison, World Methodist Evangelism

When a small team from Christ Wesleyan Church, World Methodist Evangelism, and several U.S. pastors traveled to Havana, none of us anticipated how deeply the Cuban church would impact our understanding of faith, community, and dependence on God. What we witnessed among the believers in Marianao was not a church weakened by hardship, but one strengthened by it — radiant, resilient, and unmistakably alive in the Spirit.

Cuba’s believers live under conditions that would challenge any community: widespread poverty, government neglect, and at times open persecution. Yet the Christians we met displayed a joy and spiritual vitality that far exceeded their material circumstances. Their worship was not shaped by what they lacked, but by the abundance they found in Christ.

What the Cuban Church Teaches Us About Faith Under Hardship

From the moment we climbed the steps of the Marianao church on our first day, we sensed something extraordinary. As we entered the sanctuary, many of us felt the Holy Spirit ignite within us — a deep stirring that aligned with the unmistakable presence already filling the room. It became clear that we had not come to “bring” anything to these believers. Instead, we were stepping into a community already rich in faith, gratitude, and spiritual maturity.

When the Power Went Out, Their Praise Went Up: Worship Without Electricity

Not long into that first service, the power went out — an occurrence that would repeat itself throughout our visit. Our American instincts reacted with immediate sympathy. But before the thought could settle, the congregation erupted in even louder praise. “Hallelujah!” “Gloria a Dios!” Their voices rose with renewed strength, as if the absence of electricity only amplified the presence of God. In that moment, our pity felt misplaced. These believers lacked many earthly comforts, but they lacked nothing of eternal value. They drank deeply from the living water. They walked confidently in grace. They knew they were covered by the blood of the Lamb. And they were the ones pouring into us — physically, spiritually, and joyfully.

Living Matthew 6: How Cuban Christians Practice Radical Trust in God’s Provision

That first day set the tone for the rest of our time in Cuba. Everywhere we turned, we saw the truth of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The Cuban believers embodied this verse with a sincerity that challenged us. Despite having little — no fuel in the country, food rations that would barely sustain many of us for a single day, they still showed up in droves to faithfully worship, to serve, and to care for one another. Their hope was not theoretical. It was lived, breathed, and practiced daily.

Their resilience brought to life Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:31–34,
“So don’t worry about these things… Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else… and he will give you everything you need.”

These words were not merely recited in Cuba, they were lived. The believers we met trusted God’s promises with a purity and confidence that challenged our own understanding of dependence on Christ. Many had no hot showers, no abundance of food, and no material security, yet their posture remained simple and unwavering: No problem! God’s got it!

And He does. Philippians 4:19 echoed through everything we saw: “God will supply all your needs from his glorious riches…” The Cuban church knows this truth intimately. They trust it. They live it. And witnessing their faith renewed our own spirits in ways we did not expect.

What Short-Term Mission Teams Get Wrong — And What Cuba Corrected

If the size of our heavenly dwelling is measured by the faith we display on earth, then we will count ourselves blessed to live in the shadow of the mansions prepared for these faithful saints. Our time in Cuba reminded us that Jesus truly is all we need — and that His Kingdom is alive and thriving in places the world often overlooks.