VIDEO – Global Action Today

Join Global Action’s President, Rick Thompson, Chief Mission Officer, Dr. Elizabeth Marvel, and Chief Development Officer, Rich Griffith, as they share a compelling message from Council Road Baptist Church in Oklahoma. In this special service, they highlight the urgent global need for accessible theological training, the remarkable opportunities before us, and how Global Action is responding—through powerful, real-life stories of transformation from around the world.

Gospel Hospitality

How One Graduate Feeds God’s Sheep

When Olivia Juarez observed her fellow Guatemalans travelling long distances for their loved ones’ medical care at the local hospital, her heart was stirred by their plight. Hotels are too expensive, especially for long-term hospitalisations, so they slept outside on the streets of Antigua. Her understanding of Christ, his compassion, and his Word shaped how Olivia viewed her neighbours, so she gathered a team to pray for how to meet this need in their community.

The Lord answered Olivia’s prayers by providing a way to establish a hospitality house for these families. Casa David opened its doors in 2021 to provide a safe place to sleep and eat while guests stay during their loved one’s hospitalisations. Some guests stay as long as a month, hearing the good news of Jesus Christ and experiencing His love.

Olivia graduated from Global Action’s Foundations program in 2023. She and her team, which includes multiple Global Action graduates, refer often to what they learned during their education, applying it to their daily ministry.

“What I appreciate about Foundations is that it’s very biblically based. When you have the Word of God involved, there will be transformation, there will be His Work being done. We are looking at God’s Word and inherently being transformed in ministry. It helped me to make my perspective in Biblical points, and establish me in my walk with the Lord,” Olivia recalls.

Casa David’s Assistant, Julio Navas, is also a Global Action graduate. He opens the Bible before the evening meal with guests. “Every day of the year at Casa David, we have a gathering with our guests and study a passage of the Bible. [Guests] come from various backgrounds, even prejudice against the church. We point the guests to the very Word of God, we pray and teach, and that brings transformation. Many have trusted Christ,” recounts Olivia.

If you met up with Olivia today, you’d find her leading her team, connecting with hospital administration on behalf of patients’ families, arranging taxi rides, overseeing the hosting and feeding of 40 guests per night, leading gospel presentations, supplying infant and maternity care packages, caring for families during their children’s life-changing cleft lip surgeries, and being the hands and feet of Christ to her community. In 2024 alone, their team welcomed 3,154 guests.

At Global Action, we often say that we want our students to “know something, be something, and do something” with their theological education. We want each of our graduates to leave our program with a deep understanding of the timeless truth of Scripture, we want their character to be transformed into the image of Christ, and we want them to have the practical leadership skills they need to make a lasting difference.

Olivia embodies this transformation. She graduated from the Foundations program with a robust understanding of God’s heart as revealed through Scripture. She shares Christ’s compassion for the poor and the hurting. And she has now welcomed thousands through Casa David so that they might experience and know Christ’s love.

“We have seen the Lord transform the hearts and lives of our guests in incredible ways. Some guests stay for 2-3 months during treatment and waiting. The seed of the Word being planted in their lives, and God transforms their hearts. We pray for their needs, have one on one gospel presentations with new guests. The Lord is knocking at the door of their hearts. We have the greatest treasure that we could have, and our goal is to share that with them.”

-Olivia Juarez

VIDEO — Community Transformation in Colombia

Cristian Perez (pictured front row, third from left) wanted to use his passion for the Lord, but felt frustrated by his lack of practical ministry skills and theological training. Global Action came to his small town in Colombia in 2022, where faculty members quickly identified his gifting as he completed coursework.

“Cristian saw Global Action as a unique opportunity to deepen his doctrinal knowledge and better prepare himself to fulfil the Great Commission. The training he received through this program helped fill the biblical gaps he still had and equipped him to impact the communities he was already serving more effectively,” states Regional Director Dr. Dennis Ruano.

“In the final modules of the Foundations program, we began to learn how the church transforms communities. I had to get out of the four walls! Today, my desire, my ministry dream is already coming true to the glory of God…we have a community kitchen that feeds 52 children,” Cristian exclaims.

Watch this video to share with Cristian how he is literally and spiritually feeding the children of his town in Colombia!

Cristian now serves as the Director of Colombia for Global Action, so he can equip and empower other young leaders for a lifetime of ministry.

Meet the Team: Central American Faculty and Staff

Our Global Action team serving in Central America are effervescent in their kingdom enthusiasm. We asked each of them recently, “What is the most exciting part of Global Action work in your region?” Day in and day out, they live and labor among their people to raise up leaders equipped for the work of ministry. Hear their hearts for their home countries and how theological education is transforming their communities!

Olympian to Community Servant: Erick’s Story

One of 11 children, raised in a home that was Christian in name only, and slated for the Guatemalan Olympic Team, Erick Coc (pictured above: top row, second from left) had a bright life ahead of him–until illness cut short his athletic career. During his year of intense illness and hospitalisation, a local church group met him with the hope of the gospel and an invitation to study the Bible. Christ radically intervened in his life, and Erick and half of his siblings received the Lord! 

After the crucible of suffering, Erick passionately devoted himself to the work of the Lord. In his remote village of Tanchi, which is in a green and mountainous rainforest region covered with coffee and cardamom plantations, he began in his local church in youth ministry. After a time he was asked to shepherd as the lead pastor, but he was still missing theological education.

Denis and Eileen Nogue live in the nearby area of Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, coordinating and hosting the Foundations course for remote mountain church leaders. They invited Erick to join the group of ten pastors meeting in their home, and he jumped in with quick enthusiasm. In addition to being a student in the class, he also translated for the teacher into the local indigenous language Q’eqchi’, joyfully helping his classmates understand the content in their heart language. He graduated at the top of his class in 2023.

Today, Erick applies the sound knowledge and practical expertise he gained through his studies with Global Action in his pastoral ministry to 23 families in his flock. He has also taken up the banner of equipping more leaders like himself, teaching the next group of Global Action students.

We see [Erick] as a humble young man fully committed to the Lord. He is also committed to equipping his brothers in the Lord as they take the word of God back to their own communities. We are blessed to have him as a part of our ministry and Global Action is blessed to have him as one of their teachers.”

—Denis and Eileen Nogue

Mission Field to Mission Force: Central America

Did you know that across the landscapes of Latin America — where Spanish and indigenous languages blend, and vibrant music and culture fill the streets — a powerful gospel movement has been growing?

It reminds me of Acts 14:21–22, where the first believers preached the Good News far and wide, then returned to strengthen their new brothers and sisters. In the same way, local pastors and leaders today are crossing rugged terrain and even danger zones to attend Global Action’s courses, all so they can bring hope back to their communities.

The latest “State of the Great Commission” report in Latin America points out that we need deeper discipleship and stronger leadership development among believers. Global Action is answering those needs. Leaders like our Mexico director, Pastor Ramiro Rivas, are respected in areas that are closed to North American missionaries. Yet he is there, starting new classes in places like South Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, equipping others to plant churches and strengthen believers.

We’re watching Latin America shift from being a mission field to becoming a rising mission force, and we thank God!

Make sure you don’t miss the video update from Colombia!

New Beginnings: Hellen Kajuju’s Story of Restoration

Born in Meru County, Kenya, Hellen Kajuju (centre in the image above) trusted Christ as a fifth grader. Her story is riddled with oppression and deep suffering. Suffering from life-threatening domestic violence and compounded by church corruption and community humiliation, Hellen carried a heavy load of despair. Yet she has overcome, and continued her pursuit of Christ and His purpose in her life.

“God has restored me in a mighty way. Today, through Foundations, I can see and understand who God is and how He works in those He loves. If not for God, I could have rotted in the grave. It’s only Him who made me shine again,” Hellen testifies.

Currently, Hellen serves in her local church’s discipleship department, mission department, and in her women’s group. She deeply dreams of planting a church in her home community with her theological skills.

“My desire is to further my theology studies and go back to my village because there is no true gospel there. Preachers preach what they want, not the will of God. I want to be a light to more girls and women in the society. My dream is to further my theology studies and go back to my village and start Christ-centered churches and true biblical teachings because many have been misled by false preachers.”

Hellen Kajuju celebrates her Foundations graduation surrounded by her proud family and blessed by Global Action faculty Pastor William Mopel. She now turns her gaze toward dreams of planting Christ-centred churches and shining as a light to other young women and girls in her community.

Equipping in Hard Places: Hope in South Sudan

How do we determine if a location is “hard to reach”? According to Stratus, a tool created by David Platt’s Radical to assess the countries with the most urgent spiritual and physical needs, South Sudan ranks in the top 20 (to learn more click here).

While the church there is growing rapidly, South Sudan ranks worst in the world for freedom, economic development, and politics. Ethnic tension resulting in genocide, violent repression, high maternal and infant mortality rates, extreme poverty, high barriers to education (especially for women)—all of these factors and more make life in South Sudan a daily battle for survival.

Yet the church of South Sudan perseveres. Not only are they persevering, but they are growing! Church leaders are hungry for the Word of God and the ministry skills they need to bring true flourishing to their communities.

One Global Action class meets in Ajuong, South Sudan. This class in the Nuba Mountains on the border with Sudan boasts an enrollment of 64 students. Many of these students have lost everything and now live in horrible conditions in refugee camps. It is common for them to trek for two days on foot in order to reach the class site. The journey is treacherous and leaves them vulnerable to attack, but they are determined to make that sacrifice for the sake of the gospel.

In the teaching tent, temperatures often soar to over 100 degrees, but these dedicated Christ-followers don’t let that stop them. Like sponges, they are soaking up the Word of God. They will then take everything they have absorbed back to their communities where they will share the hope of Jesus with others.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:5

The Multiplication Effect: “Train the Trainers” Class in Zimbabwe

Once leaders graduate from Global Action’s Foundations program, they are fully equipped to implement their ministry plans in their communities. Many graduates, however, have been so impacted by the training they receive that they want to help make it possible for even more leaders to receive the same training. Equipping leaders catalyzes even more equipping leaders!

It was out of this passion that the “Train the Trainers” program in Zimbabwe was born.

A class of dedicated graduates is now going through the Foundations program again. This time, however, they are going even deeper. They are learning the specific skills they need—not just to preach accurate information, but to truly teach and bring about the transformation of even more leaders.

Naison Mangwende is one of these “trainers” who leads the course to raise up other trainees. Father of three and husband to Lisa, he wears many hats: he is a supply chain specialist, a theologian, and a pastor.

According to Mr. Mangwende, “The greatest challenge for the church in Zimbabwe is sound theological training, especially for the disadvantaged communities.” He loves how the Train the Trainers program not only helps leaders like him be effective in their own ministries, but it also equips them to train up other men and women for ministry. “Thus saints have been equipped for the work of ministry so that they are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and the cunning of men,” he says.

These brothers and sisters are already incredibly wise and discerning ministers of the gospel, and this course is mobilizing them to put their knowledge to work for the church throughout Zimbabwe!

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”—Proverbs 18:15

“The greatest challenge for the church in Zimbabwe is sound theological training, especially for the disadvantaged communities.

Train the Trainers has helped to equip leaders in line with 2 Timothy 2:2, to be effective in their own ministries. It has also equipped them to train other men and women for effective ministry. Whether one is a Sunday school teacher, or an elder leading a congregation. Thus saints have been equipped for the work of ministry so that they are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and the cunning of men.”

Naison Mangwende, Zimbabwe

Investment in Africa: An Invitation

Did you know that approximately 50,000 new believers are coming to Christ every single day on the African continent alone?

At its current rate of growth, an estimated 150,000 new trained church leaders will be needed over the next five years in Africa to help shepherd these rapidly expanding churches. The need is urgent.

Mission leaders from around the world recently issued the following call in the 2024 Lausanne Movement’s “State of the Great Commission” Report:

“We, therefore, invite you, as the global church, to respond with urgency and innovative collective action to advance the Great Commission by encouraging and inspiring the African church. You, as the global church, can form an intimate harmony with the church in Africa to reach people within Africa, and then together with the African church, reach people in wider regions globally,” (“State of the Great Commission,” 413).

By supporting Global Action, that is exactly what you are doing. You are helping equip and mobilize African church leaders, like the ones featured below. Together, we are helping lay a strong foundation for the rapidly growing African church. That is an investment that will bear eternal fruit.

Investing in Continuing Education: Pastor William Mopel

After demonstrating an exemplary character, aptitude, and passion for ministry, Global Action awarded Pastor William Mopel in Kenya a scholarship to further his studies at Africa International University. As he pursues his diploma of theology, he is also giving back by serving on Global Action’s team to help equip other leaders in Kiserian, Kenya by leading outreach programs and mentoring Foundations students and graduates, as well as assisting with coordination and administrative work for the program.

Pastor William is constantly hosting outreaches to meet community needs and share the gospel. Recently, he and his team held a medical clinic and provided free healthcare to the local population. They also engaged in one-on-one gospel conversations. During the six-hour clinic, 209 people received medical care, and 67 gave their lives to Christ. This is gospel-centered community transformation!

Pastor William is also leading a new church planting initiative. After just three months, the 15 church members in Gataka, Kenya have already had the immense joy of welcoming 9 new souls into the kingdom of God. The investment in one leader truly yields unimaginable results.

A newly planted body of Christ near Kiserian, Kenya celebrates gathering together.

A newly planted body of Christ near Kiserian, Kenya celebrates gathering together.

How are Global Action Staff Investing?

Investing in Excellence: Dr. Elizabeth Marvel

2025 marks an exciting change for Dr. Elizabeth Marvel as she pivots to using her expertise in missions and education in her new role as Global Action’s Chief Mission Officer.

During her years with Global Action, Liz has embodied Christ’s teaching in her high standards of truth in handling the Word of God alongside her radiant and disarming teaching style. Liz’s leadership with Global Action and her teaching at Baylor University are deeply motivated by her love for Jesus and her desire to see his kingdom come in the hearts and minds of students.

One of Liz’s specific areas of focus will be pursuing validation for our programme through an organization called Re-Forma, in partnership with the World Evangelical Alliance. Validation with Re-Forma will help us better measure the essential outcomes of our programme in the lives of our students. It will also help us meet an increasing need for pastors in Africa to have a recognized certificate in order to legally lead a church. Liz is passionate about giving our students the absolute best equipping that we can offer, and by investing in the work of validation we will give them a gift that lasts.

“Liz’s work [on validation] has been a ray of hope for our work on the continent, as it is becoming increasingly important for pastors and church leaders to have a validated certificate in order to lead churches,” observes Buhe Mativenga, Global Action’s Director of Africa. “Over 90% [of pastors] do not have this, so the drive towards validation will be pivotal for our organization.”

Dr. Marvel also travels to various Global Action locations around the world, where she teaches seminars on topics such as Women in the History of Christianity. Her warmth and passion interacting with church leaders through her phenomenal teaching is truly changing lives.

We look forward to seeing Liz’s tremendous investment in the leaders we serve.

You can read more about Liz here.

“In cultures where women are often suppressed in their homes and churches, [Dr. Marvel’s seminar] brought light and hope to realize how the Lord has used women throughout the ages to accomplish His plan. Many women are saying that the whole church needs to know this as it has brought light and freedom to many of them.”

—Buhe Mativenga, Director of Africa

Investing in Strategy: Bailey Bada

Bailey has served in a variety of roles throughout her seven years with Global Action, from connecting with our donors, to leading vision trips, to sharing stories of impact—and much more! The many hats she has worn have given her insight into all aspects of Global Action’s work, along with the opportunity to build deep relationships with our global team.

Effective this January, she is transitioning to her new role as Director of Operations and Strategy, in which she will serve as a central hub for the various departments of the organization. She is eager to apply her extensive intercultural experience to the important work of casting vision and ensuring that we are carrying out our mission as effectively as possible.

You can read more about Bailey here.

“At Global Action, we are brimming with possibilities and open doors all over the world. The demand for our programme is high! By investing significant time this year into carefully evaluating our priorities and direction, we will position ourselves to grow strategically into the places of greatest need where we can make the biggest difference.”

—Bailey Bada, Director of Operations and Strategy

Investing in Development: Rich Griffith

This past October, Global Action welcomed Rich Griffith into a new role as Chief Development Officer. Bringing his pastoral background from the past two decades including various vision trips around the world, he has enthusiastically jumped into building strong relationships with donors and developing church partnerships.

He is passionate about Jesus Christ and desires to contagiously engage others in the biblical mandate to be His witnesses. Rich loves how God is not only transforming hearts around the world, but also calling North Americans to step out of their comfort zones and into God’s larger plan.

Prior to his ministry experience, Rich played seven years in the NFL (National Football League, the top professional American football league in the US) as a tight end and long snapper for the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Strong team dynamics, actualizing growth both personally and organizationally, and fervour for the mission are no strangers in his life experience!

Rich has embraced the specific calling of equipping local church leaders with zeal, and is already an active spokesman for the work Global Action is doing to participate in the Great Commission.

Rich has been married to his wife Keri for over 30 years, and they have four adult children. Rich resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

You can read more about Rich here.

2025 Theme: Invest

The Wisdom of Investing: The Heart of Why We Equip Leaders

What does it mean to invest?

In its most basic sense, investing means making a short-term sacrifice for long-term gain. We talk most often about financial investments, which require setting aside money now in order to reap far greater rewards in the future. Investing requires wisdom, intentionality, and patience. It can be hard to wait! But we do it, because we know the gain will far outweigh the cost.

At Global Action, we view our work as an investment. There are countless needs around the world that we could try to meet, so many causes we could champion. But like the good servants in Jesus’ famous parable of the talents, we want to invest our resources and energy into that which we believe will bear the greatest long-term fruit.

That is why we are laser-focused on equipping pastors and ministry leaders in the hard places of the world—we know it will pay off!

By raising up leaders with Christ-like character, a deep understanding of Scripture, and competence in essential ministry skills, we are investing in the future flourishing of entire churches and communities. That is quite a return on investment!

Thank YOU for choosing to invest with us in leaders so that they can transform their communities with the gospel.

A Historic Opportunity on the Subcontinent of India

India has recently surpassed China as the most populous country in the world, with a population of 1.4 billion people. Sadly, over 95% of India’s population is still considered unreached with the gospel. 2,100 of the more than 2,300 unique ethnic people groups in India still have no significant gospel witness.

What an incredible opportunity for the global church to work together to meet this significant need!

While the current political climate is unfavorable to western missionaries, local Indian churches and ministry workers are committed to carrying out the Great Commission amongst their own people.

At the Lausanne 4 Conference back in September 2024, leaders from India gave first-hand accounts of a growing church in the midst of tragedy and triumph.

Leading with Excellence: Saru’s Story

Saru is one of those gospel workers in India who is using her gifts and platform to spread the gospel. Saru’s story vividly illustrates how the church can thrive even in the hardest places.

“I am Saru… I am a teacher, trainer, and counsellor…Additionally, I head the counselling department as a counsellor and serve as a faculty member at Global Action,” she introduces.

“I was born into a Hindu Brahmin family in Nepal, where I was deeply devoted to my faith. As part of my educational journey, I was sent to India for further studies. It was there, at the age of 16, that I encountered Christ and accepted Him as my Saviour. Two years later, at the age of 18, I was baptized, and on that same day, I received God’s call to ministry. I embraced that call wholeheartedly and began serving in various capacities.”

Having come to faith in Jesus and answered the Lord’s call to ministry, Saru sought out theological and practical training. She completed Global Action’s Foundations programme, where she was inspired to continue her studies in a Bible College. “This decision was driven by my desire to serve and strengthen my community and the church, helping them grow in their ministry.”

Saru went on to pursue advanced degrees to match her heart’s devotion to leading among the Indian people with excellence. Today, she splits her time working full time with another ministry and part-time with Global Action as a coordinator and teacher.. She even received a personal invitation to the exclusive Lausanne IV Conference in South Korea last month because of her reputation in the missions community!

“My heart has always been set on equipping churches and communities for greater ministry impact, and I look forward to continuing this journey of service.”

While the vast majority of India’s massive population is still unreached with the gospel and the situation for Christians is challenging, by equipping leaders like Saru we have an incredible opportunity to bring lasting transformation through the gospel.

“Saru, after completing our Foundations programme, discovered a powerful vision to serve the Lord even more. [She] completed her Masters degree ... partnered with us, passionately training and empowering new leaders in the ministry.”

—Amit Modal, Regional Director of South Asia

Seed Falling on Good Soil: A Hundred-Fold Increase in Ukraine

When Jesus taught about sowing seeds and fertile soil, he said, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty,” Matthew 13:23 (ESV). We see this so clearly in the life of Iryna.

Iryna graduated from the Foundations program in 2010. After her graduation, Global Action staff continued to invest in her as a leader, and she eventually became a Foundations coordinator in her region. As a key contact among networks in her area, she was able to bring the Foundations course to her region of Dnipro in Ukraine.

As she was further equipped with theological education and practical ministry tools, she began to serve incarcerated women and young people, impacting hundreds of women and youth in prisons.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 drastically changed the landscape of the church. Equipping church leaders became more urgent as the nation faced the devastation of war. Iryna has continued her fruitful ministry, pivoting to take care of God’s people by equipping other leaders to provide trauma-informed care in the midst of crisis.

As a Christian psychologist and qualified trauma training teacher, she is applying her Biblical knowledge in her context with expertise. To date, she has equipped 100 Ukrainian leaders to provide trauma-informed care.

Current events also have brought the opportunity to serve the population of people displaced by the conflict. Iryna has served 200 refugees in her region, restoring purpose and hope by giving them trauma training. The adversity they face is real, and God is using their testimony and experience of endurance to bring about his light in the midst of darkness.

We celebrate labourers like Iryna, who continue bearing a “hundredfold” fruit even a decade after having graduated from our programme. They are changing the world!

Marginalized to Embraced: Welcoming in Jesus’ Name

The Roma people (also known as gypsies) have suffered marginalization, persecution, and sometimes even enslavement or systematic extermination in Hungary and other European countries for hundreds of years. Even today, they face injustices and prejudice in almost every aspect of public life. Despite their marginalization by society, they are embraced by Jesus Christ—and he is raising up European church leaders to display that love.

Sasha and Angela graduated from Global Action’s Foundations programme in 2018. Armed with theological training and an understanding of Christ’s heart for marginalized people, they began to share the good news of Jesus with the Roma people in the surrounding area. This ministry continues today, and their influence is extending to the next generation.

One of the ways they serve the Roma people is through hosting summer camps. Just a few weeks ago, they wrapped up another summer camp where they poured into 40 children with the love of Christ. These children came from a variety of backgrounds, including Roma from Hungary and Ukraine, as well as children displaced by the war.

In addition to their work with the Roma, Sasha and Angela have also planted two churches, and they are dedicated to raising up even more effective church leaders to multiply the impact. They are accomplishing this by equipping other leaders in their churches with Global Action’s course material.

Embracing marginalized children with the gospel, planting churches, and raising up even more church leaders is worth celebrating! Eastern European leaders like Sasha and Angela are truly changing the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

Celebrating 20 Years of Equipping Leaders in Eastern Europe

We are celebrating 20 years of resilience in Eastern Europe. Jesus told us that his people will encounter “wars and rumours of wars,” but he also told them to remain faithful until he returns. The church around the world is doing just that. And your giving is blessing suffering Christians.

We are grateful for you. Thank you for working with us to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. We love and appreciate you so very much!

In Christ,

Bob Smith, Chairman of the Board

Revival in Cuba

There’s a revival going on in Cuba right now—and your giving is helping fan the flame!

One of the things I love about my job is that I get to go and see first-hand what God is doing in the world. I have devoted many years of my life to the study of world Christianity at the academic level, but there is nothing like actually seeing what you have been reading about! As Gandalf said to Bilbo in The Hobbit (film edition): “The world is not in your books and maps. It’s out there.”

And “out there” revival is happening in Cuba. Here is the short version. In the 1990s, Castro decided to allow Christians to build “house churches.” It was a reversal of his decades-long commitment to atheism. It may have been a political move designed to make the government look “friendly” toward religion while keeping religion under control and out of sight. In houses.

But then the Spirit came blowing in like He did in Acts 2 and it confounded everyone. The church began to grow—and it grew rapidly.

When I was there recently, I asked a Cuban church leader what happens when a house church runs out of room. He looked at me with a smile and said, “We multiply.” And that is how it is happening. It’s pretty amazing. And even historians are rewriting the textbooks on Christianity in Cuba.

I’ve read the books and seen the maps—but it was inspiring to go “out there” and see it! “The devil is God’s devil,” Luther once quipped provocatively. By it he meant that the Almighty Sovereign of the world takes Satan’s evil schemes and turns them around for good. He’s that amazing.

Where does Global Action come in? We have been asked to help educate the house-church pastors because they cannot keep up with the demand. That’s how we are fanning the flame. And your sacrificial giving is making it happen. Enjoy the stories below. Let them encourage you. God is at work in the world!

In Christ,

Lionel Young

Executive Vice President

Connecting Passion with Knowledge

Veronica and Rafael (names changed for security purposes) live in the eastern side of Cuba where they are part of an isolated rural church family. While they had spent years within the church, reading their Bibles, and working in the secular workforce as professionals, they longed for tools to equip them to serve more effectively as church leaders.

“We need to be prepared, we’ve never taken a class. We’ve been part of the church for a long time, but we have no training,” the two shared.

One of their pastors serves as an instructor in the Global Action Foundations program. He noticed their influence in their church community and their sincerity in their love for God. “The Lord wants to use you!” he encouraged them. Taking his encouragement to heart, they enrolled in the Global Action programme and began deepening their understanding of the Bible and ministry practices.

Now having graduated in October of 2023, Global Action’s Director of the Caribbean commented that “before they had only their hands, the desire…, but now they have the tools. They are equipped in principles about the Bible, how to interpret the text, how to prepare a sermon, how to prepare a Bible study, and tools to lead the church.”

Veronica still continues her work as a lawyer in Cuba, and both are actively leading their church in a remote one-road village. As Director Yuniel Cruz observes: “This is not a road anyone wants to drive. It’s rough terrain through a desert. The people are farmers, there is no other church anywhere nearby. There is no economic thriving. But this is how they are reaching our people. They are professionals in the secular world, but they embrace God’s calling.”

Rafael and Veronica celebrate their milestone accomplishment of completing the 9-month Foundations course with Global Action. While we thank God for the projected 385 Global Action graduates in Cuba this year, hundreds more are on waiting lists for the opportunity to be equipped.

Buildings in remote parts of Cuba are constructed using traditional techniques and materials from Royal Palm trees. Thatched leaves create the roof and palm wood provides structure, such as in this house church. Despite a government hostile to church planting, the body of Christ in Cuba is growing by about 385,000 new believers per year. These new followers of Christ each desperately need leaders equipped in the Word of God.

Shepherding the Flock

What is the greatest need of the church in Cuba?

“Their greatest need is hope,” Global Action Director of the Caribbean, Yuniel Cruz, states simply. While Cubans are coming to faith in droves, “the people are living in desperation and poverty, sickness, no hospital, limited medicine. The church is an answer for many people who need it. The church also is a place for joy, to hear and see something different than bleakness around them. Church offers programming for children and elderly, stocking basic medicine. The church is the answer for many of these needs.”

The churches where Global Action has equipped leaders are intentional to take care and provide for not only physical needs, but also spiritual needs. The church has the good news for people living in isolation and poverty: His name is Jesus Christ.

The explosive church growth in Cuba urgently necessitates trained leaders.

The ABCs at the heart of Global Action’s programme are to be accessible, biblical, and contextual. We equip leaders with no access to theological training so that they can be powerful ministers of the gospel in their own communities. These indigenous shepherds know their own flocks, and with your support they are able to feed and guide their flocks in faithful Christlikeness.

Snapshots of Transformation:

Foundations Classes in Cuba

Come join us on Facebook and Instagram! We’re sharing stories and encouragement throughout the week highlighting Global Action graduates.

Impact Spotlight: Pastor Sasha in Ukraine

Pastors and ministry leaders around the world experience a myriad of trials: war, displacement, violence, poverty, hostile governments, persecution, and more. Deep roots in Christ anchor them through the crucibles of affliction, equipping them to be beacons of hope in their communities.

Pastor Sasha is one example of this. He graduated from Global Action’s programme in 2010, and pastors a church in Northern Ukraine. His town was occupied by the Russian army, and he and his family personally witnessed many atrocities committed against their neighbours. When their town was liberated, Sasha immediately reached out to Global Action—not to request material assistance, but to ask that we bring our Foundations programme to his town to equip more church leaders with deep roots.

Throughout the occupation, he remained strong in the Lord and stayed focused on serving his church and community. Sasha is now equipping more leaders so that they can be beacons of hope and stability.