May 5, 1999

Texas Baptists to begin
limited partnership work in Cuba
___By Orville Scott
___Texas Baptist Communications
___"A limited projects partnership with Baptists in Cuba is the result of many years of prayer by Baptists everywhere," Texas Partnerships Director Don Sewell said after a recent meeting with Cuban Baptist leaders.
___"We can assist our Cuban brothers and sisters with construction teams, prayer walking, teacher training and more through a

TEXAS PARTNERSHIPS Projects Director Joe Bruce discusses ministry opportunities for Texas Baptists with the Woman's Missionary Union director for the Eastern Baptist Convention of Cuba. Bruce recently traveled to Cuba to finalize plans for a limited partnership between Texas Baptists and Baptists in two conventions in Cuba. Christian churches in Cuba are reporting unprecedented growth. (Photo by Don Sewell)

limited, focused partnership," Sewell said after he and Texas Partnerships Projects Director Joe Bruce returned from meeting with leaders of both the western and eastern Baptist conventions of Cuba.
___"It was thrilling for me to see the growth of churches in Cuba, after being on the island for the first time in four years," Bruce said.
___At the recent annual meeting of the Western Baptist Convention, 10 new churches were admitted to the convention, bringing the total number of churches in that convention to 157. In the Eastern Baptist Convention, there are 194 organized churches and 337 missions.
___Much credit is due to dedicated young Cuban Christians such as Rofolfo y Lisette Rodriguez, Sewell said. He wears many hats as pastor of a church, professor at the Baptist seminary and leader in the Eastern Baptist Convention.
___"God has richly blessed the Cuban Baptist witness in recent years," Sewell said.
___"Thousands are going through the six-month new-Christian course as they await baptism. And fortunately, some churches are now getting permission to refurbish their worship centers. We can now bring in limited numbers of theological books for pastors," he said.
___"They do so much with the little they have. What an opportunity this is for us to share from our abundance of resources."
___The Eastern Baptist Convention invited Texas Woman's Missionary Union to send workers to summer camps and volunteers to help with church construction, Bruce said.
___"There is also an opportunity to provide non-prescription medicines," he added. "Basic medicines such as aspirin, first aid cream and Pepto Bismol are in short supply."
___"I can envision Royal Ambassadors and Acteens sending thousands of shoebox-sized medical kits to Cuba," Sewell added. "And they can raise money for providing commentaries and other essential books for pastors who have scarce personal study tools for sermon preparation and leading their churches."
___For information on how your church can help in Cuba, call the Texas Partnerships office at (214) 828-5181.
___

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