A Missionaries Stories From Cuba

Today, I shared stories of God’s faithfulness and the remarkable spiritual hunger in Cuba, a nation facing deep economic hardship. Despite the challenges—where even doctors and Olympians earn only a few dollars a month—God is moving powerfully. Over the past two decades, I’ve witnessed a spiritual awakening, with thousands coming to faith and entire communities transformed through simple acts of obedience and compassion.

One of the most inspiring examples is Pastor Norlin, who began planting churches as a teenager and now leads a movement of house churches and Bible discovery groups. These groups, often meeting in humble homes or under trees, have multiplied to over 20,000 across the island. The method is simple: gather unbelievers, read Scripture, and let the Holy Spirit guide discovery and transformation. Even before people come to faith, they’re encouraged to share what they’re learning, creating a ripple effect of evangelism and discipleship.

The hunger for God’s Word is tangible. When Bibles are distributed, crowds gather, hands outstretched, faces beaming or weeping with gratitude. Mass baptisms are now a regular occurrence, with hundreds lining up to publicly declare their faith. The church is not only growing in number but also in compassion. Ministries like Convoy of Hope are feeding thousands of children, and local believers are sacrificially providing vegetables and protein to supplement the meals. Agricultural projects are springing up, making the work more sustainable.

The gospel is reaching the most marginalized—homeless, addicts, and those living in dumps. Churches are being planted among these communities, not through grand strategies, but through consistent love: feeding, bathing, and caring for the least of these. Even when plans go awry, God redeems every effort for His glory, as seen when a chaotic visit to a city dump led to a new church being established.

All of this is possible because of faithful giving, prayer, and the willingness of ordinary people to offer their lives. Jesus calls us to store up treasures in heaven—not just with our finances, but with our time, compassion, and obedience. Every act of love, every sacrifice, every prayer is noticed by God and makes an eternal difference. The story of Cuba is a reminder that God is at work in the hardest places, and He invites us to join Him—whether we’re young or old, rich or poor, seen or unseen.

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Obedience in Small Things Multiplies: The story of Pastor Norlin shows that when we step out in faith, even at a young age or with limited resources, God multiplies our efforts far beyond what we could imagine. Planting a single church or starting a small Bible group can ignite a movement that transforms entire communities. God honors obedience, not status or experience, and uses the humble to accomplish His purposes. [09:35]
• 2. Discipleship is More Than Conversion: The shift from counting professions of faith to intentional discipleship in Cuba revealed that true growth happens when new believers are nurtured, equipped, and empowered to share their faith. Bible discovery groups focus on engaging with Scripture, asking honest questions, and applying truth before people even make a formal commitment to Christ. This approach embeds evangelism and multiplication into the DNA of the church from the very beginning. [12:35]
• 3. Compassion Opens Doors for the Gospel: Meeting physical needs—feeding children, caring for the homeless, or providing agricultural support—breaks down barriers and demonstrates the love of Christ in tangible ways. These acts of compassion not only meet urgent needs but also draw the attention and respect of the wider community, opening hearts to the message of Jesus. The church’s credibility grows when it serves selflessly, especially among the most vulnerable. [20:01]
• 4. God Redeems Our Imperfect Efforts: Even when our plans seem to fail or situations spiral out of control, God can turn chaos into opportunity. The story of the city dump, where a risky and seemingly misguided act led to the planting of a new church, reminds us that God works all things together for good when our motives are to love and serve others. Our willingness to step into messy situations allows God’s grace to shine through our weakness. [27:29]
• 5. Storing Up Treasures in Heaven is Practical: Jesus’ call to store up treasures in heaven is not just a spiritual metaphor—it’s a daily invitation to invest our time, resources, and lives in what matters eternally. Whether through giving, serving, praying, or simply loving those around us, every act of faithfulness is noticed by God. The greatest treasure we can offer is our very lives, surrendered to His purposes, knowing that nothing done for Him is ever wasted. [33:22]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:24] - Introduction and Gratitude
• [06:27] - The Economic Reality in Cuba
• [07:45] - Spiritual Growth Amid Hardship
• [08:06] - Meeting Pastor Norlin
• [09:35] - Young Leaders and Church Planting
• [10:25] - Prison Ministry and Chaplaincy
• [12:35] - The Power of Discipleship Groups
• [14:19] - Bible Distribution and Spiritual Hunger
• [15:37] - Mass Baptisms and Community Impact
• [16:33] - Feeding Programs and Sustainability
• [19:32] - Multiplying House Churches
• [20:01] - Ministry to the Homeless
• [21:27] - Stories of Transformation in Havana
• [24:06] - The City Dump Experience
• [27:29] - God’s Redemption in Chaos
• [28:51] - Ministry Among Children and Creativity
• [31:23] - New Believers Multiplying
• [32:24] - Storing Up Treasures in Heaven
• [34:58] - Closing and Encouragement

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: God at Work in Cuba**

---

### Bible Reading

**Acts 5:14 (ESV)**
> And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.

**Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)**
> “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

**1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV)**
> I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

---

### Observation Questions

1. In Acts 5:14, what is happening in the early church, and how does this compare to the spiritual growth described in Cuba? ([07:45])
2. According to the sermon, what simple method did Pastor Norlin use to start multiplying house churches and Bible discovery groups? ([12:35])
3. What are some specific ways the Cuban church is meeting physical needs in their communities, as described in the sermon? ([16:33])
4. In Matthew 6:19-21, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures, and how did the speaker connect this to the work in Cuba? ([32:24])

---

### Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean that “God gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7), and how does this truth show up in the stories from Cuba? ([08:38])
2. The sermon describes a shift from counting professions of faith to focusing on discipleship. Why might this be important for real spiritual growth? ([12:35])
3. How does meeting physical needs—like feeding children or caring for the homeless—help open doors for the gospel, according to the sermon? ([20:01])
4. The speaker shared a story where a chaotic situation at a city dump led to a new church being planted. What does this teach about God’s ability to redeem our imperfect efforts? ([27:29])

---

### Application Questions

1. Pastor Norlin started planting churches as a teenager with very little. Is there something small or simple God is asking you to do in faith right now? What’s holding you back? ([09:35])
2. The Bible discovery groups in Cuba encourage people to share what they’re learning even before they become Christians. Who in your life could you invite into a conversation about faith, even if they’re not “ready” yet? ([12:35])
3. The Cuban church is known for meeting practical needs—feeding, bathing, and caring for the most vulnerable. What is one practical act of compassion you could do this week for someone in need? ([20:01])
4. The story of the city dump shows that God can use even our mistakes or chaotic moments for His glory. Can you think of a time when something didn’t go as planned, but God still used it? How might you be more open to God working through your imperfect efforts? ([27:29])
5. Jesus calls us to store up treasures in heaven. What is one way you can intentionally invest your time, resources, or compassion in something that matters for eternity this month? ([33:22])
6. The speaker mentioned that every act of love, sacrifice, and prayer is noticed by God. Is there a “hidden” way you can serve or give this week that no one else will see, but God will? ([33:22])
7. The Cuban church is growing through the faithfulness of ordinary people—young and old, rich and poor. What is one area of your life where you can offer your “ordinary” to God and trust Him to multiply it? ([34:11])

---

**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Ask God to give you eyes to see opportunities for small acts of obedience, a heart for compassion, and the courage to trust Him with your efforts—no matter how simple or imperfect they may seem.