Bishop Pereira of Cuba

Mark chapter 8

Thanks to Bishop Pereira, the Methodist Church in Cuba went from being on the verge of extinction to a spiritual explosion producing hundreds of new churches. How did this miracle leading to thousands of transformed lives happen?

Pereira spoke about meeting a communist official who started poking a finger in his chest and promised that within five years, his churches would disappear. Several years later, Bishop Pereira noticed that same communist official in the front row of one of his churches during worship. This same official who threatened to close every church in Cuba gave her testimony about how God transformed her.

The Bishop described how people come to him wanting to become a pastor. His answer to them is always the same: “Go and start a church and then we will talk about you becoming a pastor.” Bishop Pereira then smiled and said: “Here is the best part. They do it. They start a church and ask what to do next?”

Is the Communist regime allowing that many church buildings? “No!” he said. “There are only a few old church buildings and there are many restrictions preventing building new churches. Our churches are formed in homes, in fields or wherever Methodists can meet.” Then he smiled and added, “But make no mistake. They are churches. They study the Bible, worship with intensity and lives are changed by Jesus every day.”

Bishop Pereira pointed out that churches in America are too attached to their buildings. We miss opportunities to be the church serving the community. He said: “Every church should have people who could be starting churches within churches. They do not need buildings. They need encouragement through the power of the Holy Spirit. If we become the church within our community, people will do more to serve our Lord. We can invite people to our homes, form a Bible study or a prayer group.” Pereira added: “God can and will do miracles within our churches, but we must do our part.”

In the Gospel of Mark: Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29) Jesus is asking us the same question: “Who do you say that I am?” Like Peter, we know the answer. “We are followers of Jesus Christ, our Messiah.”

Bishop Pereira challenged us to move from belief to faith to action. If we truly believe then we will have faith that Jesus will guide our churches into the future. Then he shared: “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” – Shannon Blair Poque

Prayer Challenge: How should we respond to Bishop Periera’s challenge?