On February 16th, I was in Cuba making plans for a future Leadership Development Institute that we hope will become a reality. A meeting had been arranged for us to meet with men and women who are a part of a church-planting movement and as far as I know, it is unparalleled in the day and time in which we live. Hundreds if not thousands of churches are being planted on this island. As we gathered in the small room adjacent to the home of one of the church members, you could sense the presence of the Lord. There was a cool breeze blowing and the expressions on the faces of the people conveyed the love and compassion of Jesus. Instructions were given to those in attendance. We were going to hear testimonies of how God was using different individuals.
After a few testimonies were given, Manuel Martin Del Sol stood and came to the front of the room. Manuel began to recount for us his story of salvation and service to the Lord. He shared that just 8 months ago, he was a lost man. He was riding his horse beside the road when something happened that caused him to fall from his horse. A short time later a man stopped to help him and gave him a ride to the next town. During the ride to town, the Gospel was shared and Manuel put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ! That is amazing, miraculous, and compelling. But that is not the most gripping part of the testimony. Manuel went on to share that since his conversion 8 MONTHS AGO, he has started 3 churches.
Maybe you are thinking…wait, where did he go to college? What seminary did he enroll in? Who told him he could be a preacher? Is he licensed? Ordained? I had some of those thoughts and I expressed some of those thoughts and concerns to the crowd that had gathered. The crowd began to respond to me with Scripture, reminding me of the life of Saul/Paul and going on to explain the sufficiency of Christ. Needless to say, I am a believer – not only in the Savior Jesus Christ but in the power of His call and the prompting of His Holy Spirit. May He forever be glorified and may He make His name known and advance His Kingdom in Cuba through Manuel and many others just like him.
Brent Parsons
COO
Posted on
Fri, March 11, 2011
by Brent Parsons