Episode 25 - Kenneth Weiss - The Mission in Communist Cuba

Maranatha’s chief operating officer talks about his earliest impressions of Cuba from the mid-90’s, how Maranatha got involved, some of the challenges of the Seventh-day Adventist Church there back then, and how Maranatha worked to construct or renovate more than 200 churches on the island over the years. He shares what it’s been like to build rapport and work with Cuba’s Minister of Religion long-term, the challenges of having periods of abundant government project approval, followed by seasons of restriction, and why Maranatha chose to stay committed to the country through it all.Kenneth talks about the Adventist seminary constructed by Maranatha, and its impact on the Adventist Church in Cuba and beyond. The guys discuss the current state of the country post-COVID, and how the pandemic negatively affected everyday people and the Adventist Church, including the seminary. Kenneth explains how the idea to send critical aid to the people of Cuba was hatched, how it was pulled off using shipping containers. He talks about how passionate the church members are in Cuba, how influential Maranatha’s work has been to them, and the latest projects going on, including the first volunteer project in years.Thanks for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and share the show.Visit maranatha.org for more info on the work of Maranatha Volunteers International.Text us! Let us know what you thought of this episode and the show in general!On September 19, 2026, join us in Sacramento, California, for our annual convention, Mission: Maranatha. You’ll be inspired by volunteer testimonies, stories from the mission field, and updates from Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders around the globe. Plus, be blessed by Oakwood University's award-winning choir, The Aeolians.Learn more at https://maranatha.org/media-events/maranatha-convention/