By Mark Ellis
Training in a campground (Photo: United World Mission)
Otoniel Martinez grew up in a Christian family. His father was a
pastor in a time when government pressure made it difficult to follow
Jesus. Otoniel was a gifted student and could have attended one of the
top schools in Cuba.
But in order to attend a top university, he had to deny his Christian
faith, which he would not do. He decided he would bypass upper-level
education to follow Christ no matter what, according to a report by
United World Mission (UWM).
His resolve was tested many times as he faced opposition from the
authorities. He successfully planted one church, which proceeded to
reproduce 26 other churches.
From there, the Holy Spirit planted a God-sized vision in Otoniel’s
heart: to see churches planted in every corner of Cuba and to send
workers into the rest of the world. For assistance, Otoniel reached out
to UWM, because they led his family to Christ many years ago.
A church planting trainer from UWM was introduced to Otoniel.
Together, they developed a training for Cuba known as the “Sembradores”
(Sowers) Network.
They assembled 50 people from 20 denominations in Bayamo, the heart
of communism in Cuba. After just one training session they were kicked
out of the church they were using because the pastor feared that he
would receive retribution from the local authorities.
“We began to meet outside in a remote area of a campground,” noted Joseph Milioni in the Evangelical Missions Quarterly
(EMQ). “We didn’t use any chairs so that we could scatter if local
officials came near.” Rocks scattered around the camp became their
chairs.
“Even
with all the setbacks, it was never a question of stopping the
training. Otoniel showed dependence on God when things went well and
when obstacles developed. This went on to be one of our best trainings.
Many of our current network leaders came out of this training.”
As churches were planted a new need arose. In a country where the
average person makes $15 a month, how could churches support church
planters and achieve Otoniel’s long-term vision?
“By partnering with several different North American partners we
began to help develop micro-enterprises on the island. We have seen
everything from bicycle taxis to ice cream stands. All the funds go
towards church planting and the churches that support it,” according to
UWM.
Milioni marvels at the fruit. “Together, we developed a
church-planting network that has seen close to one thousand church
planters trained in less than five years. One of the greatest lessons he
(Otoniel) taught me is dependency—not the dangers of developing
dependency on outside resources, but rather of being truly dependent on
God.”
Otoniel’s reliance on God sets him apart. “Despite having more
talent, passion, and vision than many could hope to have, he met every
step with a heart pleading to God for guidance,” Milioni notes. “Every
step of the way, despite success, Otoniel has never relied on his own
abilities.”
“He is recognized by many national leaders and has tremendous respect
both in and out of Cuba, but inevitably during each visit, I still see
him gathering his family together, looking to God to meet needs and give
guidance.”
Inevitably, a God-sized vision is met with adversity. “When everything seemed to be going well, Otoniel’s father
passed
away and his wife, Idalmi, was diagnosed with cancer. However, because
Otoniel has established a habit of leaning on God, he is seeking God to
comfort him and be with him as he has always been,” Milioni notes.
Otoniel’s vision has grown to develop Cuban missionaries to go to the
unreached. From the beginning, the responsibility of the church to be
involved in missions was taught. A missions professor from Costa Rica
was brought in to teach the Cuban pastors how local churches could be
involved in missions. After a few days the hearts of the pastors were
burdened to send church planters around the world, according to UWM.
Despite the fact that these churches had very little income, the
pastors raised $60 for missions on their first night (4 months wages). A
committee was formed to create a Cuban missions organization and
training center for missions.
The Sembradores network has resulted in more then 300 new churches
being planted. Many second-generation churches have been counted. More
then 20 micro-enterprises have been established.
“We have seen God do amazing things and believe there is still more to come.”
To learn more about United World Mission and their work in Cuba, go here
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Source: Godreports