Children's Bible Ministry - May 2022 Update
Guanabacoa, Cuba
For 121 years, the Presbyterian Church in this working-class suburb of Havana has given faithful witness to the Good News. Like many churches in Cuba, it developed ministries unique to its context, such as one that served those diagnosed with AIDS who were often shunned by their families and communities.
When its current pastor, Rev. Yoelkis Sierra, began to explore the surrounding neighborhood, he quickly discerned that there were many young children whose families had no connection to the church. He and his leaders began to pray about how this might present the congregation with new opportunities to make Christ known. They shared this dream with long-time partners at First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville, GA, and, working together, a ministry for outreach to the community was “born” with financial support from Thomasville and a few other partners.
Now, with 40 children attending and another 20 on the waiting list, the Children’s Bible Ministry is a neighborhood, Christ-centered preschool that serves the poor. The startup faced many challenges such as providing a facility on the church campus that would be “kid-friendly,” lack of availability of basic school supplies, and then, of course, the pandemic which paused everything for two years and stopped the visits of partners like FPC Thomasville.
But with God’s blessing, the Children’s Bible Ministry opened in January of this year and is thriving. Qualified teachers were identified and training for them was provided by Dr. Nelson Davilam, who teaches Christian Education at Matanzas Seminary (another Outreach partner). Recently, a retired pediatrician offered her services at the “school” for a nominal fee AND a church in Michigan (FPC Petosky) is providing funds for nutritional meals several times a week. Food shortages and a weak economy have left poor families, like those served here, with much less than needed for basic food requirements.
We thank God for the faithfulness of the congregation in Guanabacoa for inaugurating the first Christian preschool on the island (and for its vision to see this model replicated), as well as for the partnership with FPC Thomasville who have walked with them — and have advocated for them — over many years.
To God be the glory,
Marilyn Borst, Associate Director for Partnership Development
Read more about the Children’s Bible Ministry in Guanabacoa HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of the Children’s Bible Ministry. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help provide the programs serving these children. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.