The growth of The Overseas Initiative this year has been truly incredible, and we are humbled by the work of the Lord in our efforts stateside and in the ministries on the ground in Cuba!
We are excited to report our August team to Cuba had an incredible experience serving the Lord alongside the local churches in central Cuba. During Cuba Week 2023, our group of eleven men were able to assist the local seminary in Santa Clara with their August student conference—leading workshops and lectures on issues currently facing both Cuban and American culture. In addition, through the local Cuban church, our men were able to provide humanitarian assistance and resources to individuals who otherwise would not receive them.
Three goals for this trip were to be used by God to bring people into His Kingdom, encourage the Cuban church to hold fast and boldly share the Gospel with Cuban neighbors and citizens, and to strengthen and embolden us to continue to share our faith in Cuba and in our own hometowns. With confidence, we can say that our goals were accomplished through God’s strength and power!
The Cuban people blessed us by praying the following scripture over us as we flew back home: “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph. 1:15-16). Hear the powerful testimonies of some of our men below:
“It was incredible to see the knowledge and faith of the students in Cuba. These truly are some of the smartest and most talented people I have ever met in my entire life, and I have definitely learned more from them than we could ever teach. The movement in Cuba starts with them, and it is in good hands.” — Joe Phifer, IV
“It was said that we are here to teach, learn, and share, but in reality, it is we that are doing the learning. You cannot be amongst these beautiful Christians, in these difficult circumstances, and not have your own soul and walk with the Lord forever changed. They are such pure Christians as every word and deed is shaped by their worship. The church here is one of the purest I have ever seen.” — Charlie Regan
“James 1:2-3 says, ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.’ The persecution has sharpened them and molded them to shape their entire lives around Christ. A community of such Godly people has genuinely been a blessing beyond compare and has allowed us to get a glimpse of what the communion in Heaven will be like. There is something special going on here in Cuba, and it wasn’t us who changed them but them who blessed us.” — George Shamblin, Jr.
We eagerly await our next trip to Cuba and are thankful for the partnership and support of the Cuban church as they daily serve the people, and of you all as you pray for, give to, and encourage our ministry here in the states. We are just starting, and we encourage you to keep observing just what the Lord’s going to do through T.O.I.
