The government in Cuba has lifted a 1969 ban on Bible distribution. For the first time in a generation, people are free to seek God openly through his Word.
Joel Ortega Dopico, president of the Cuban Council of Churches, said Cuba is experiencing revival. “It is a special moment, a moment of awakening, a time when the church is growing in a way that can only happen through God’s Spirit. Every day, the Lord is adding to the church those who are being saved,” he says.
But there are not enough Bibles to meet the needs of those anxiously requesting Scripture. New believers, pastors, entire congregations and even public libraries are requesting copies of God’s Word.
One pastor in Cuba says, “New members of the church have no Bible. The churches are full; there is a great growth. But there are no Bibles. We need 100 to 150 Bibles for our church.”
Cuban church growth has tripled in the past 10 years, driving the need for Bibles. Estimates place more than a million Christians from 62 denominations in Cuba. But about 40 percent of believers do not have Bibles, and another 35 percent have Bibles that are deteriorating more with each passing day. Cuba desperately needs more Bibles.
Through the American Bible Society’s efforts, more than 317,000 Scriptures have already been distributed to churches in 64 denominations through 16 distribution centers. We have also shared more than 13,000 New Testaments with prisoners. The project has also provided Scriptures for youth and teaching resources for pastors.
One pastor says, “Faith is alive. We now need Bibles.” American Bible Society is thankful for financial partners who are helping to distribute Bibles while the door is still open in a country that is experiencing a great spiritual awakening.
