God’s Light Shines Brightly Amidst the Darkness on the Big Island

A Nation in Crisis: The Struggles of Daily Life on the Big Island

One of the pastors we are working with on the Big Island did a wonderful job sharing about their situation and how the Lord is using them to minister and grow the church. I wanted to share his story with you.

Pastor Oscar’s Testimony of Hope and Kingdom Impact

After a long ministry journey and years of prayer for God’s impact on our nation, we are beginning to witness glimpses of His glory. A spiritual awakening emerged in the 1990s following the fall of the Soviet Union and the ensuing economic crisis. Yet, stagnation followed. Today, the crisis is even greater—the people are desperate, facing a daily struggle for food and basic necessities. Hospitals lack essential medications, and clean water is scarce in many areas.

A system that continues to press its people while insisting it’s on the right path has driven about 10% of the island’s population to flee by any means possible, often risking their lives. Families have been torn apart, with children going for years without seeing their parents. Marriages are strained or destroyed. Many have tragically drowned at sea, perished in the jungles, or faced serious situations in pursuit of freedom.

As ministers of God, we are not immune to these harsh realities. We, too, are tempted to flee, especially when we endure over 72 hours without electricity, fall ill without access to medicine, or comfort people weeping in desperation while children go hungry. Even when opportunities arise to escape, we find ourselves wrestling in prayer: “Lord, we want to do Your will. We want to be in the place You’ve called us.” We know that God still has a purpose for us in Cuba.

Nueva Vida: A Beacon of Hope and Church Planting

We believe that our mission on the Big Island is not yet complete. Despite the hardships, people seek refuge in Christ, which motivates us to press on. Alongside my wife, Hilary, we have founded the church and ministry Nueva Vida (New Life), which serves as a hub for planting new churches. With our team of eight missionaries, we have planted three churches and aim to plant two more in our city in 2025. In 2024, through our ministry, 1,360 people heard the good news of the gospel, and 490 gave their lives to Christ.

Excel Leadership Network: Multiplying Leaders and Churches

Since 2016, I have also led the Excel Leadership Network on the Big Island, developing a leadership team and mentoring 100 church-planting couples. As a result, 119 churches have been established across the island, from Pinar del Rio in the west to Guantanamo in the east. In 2024 alone, over 54,000 heard the gospel through the pastors and leaders involved, and 30,718 making decisions to follow Christ.

Join Us in Prayer and Extend Your Hands to Help

We ask for your prayers—for the immense work that lies ahead and for faithful leaders like David & Dawn Diaso, whom God has called to be a blessing to His work on the Big Island. Their support has been invaluable, providing encouragement, coaching and resources to sustain this vital ministry. Through their efforts many lives have been touched and hope restored.

In this time of need, your involvement can make a profound difference.

All for the Cause of Christ,
Pastor Oscar

2025—A Year to Multiply