The United States is not there — at least not in relationship to our close neighbor, Cuba. Thanks to the tenacity of the church in the U.S. committed to God’s justice and love, and to President Obama, our neighborliness is…
Christian engagement growing as Cuba-U.S. ties improve
The level and frequency of United States-based Christian activity in Cuba has been rising since the normalization process between the two countries began in late 2014. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida has been building on existing relationships with Baptists and…
Anniversary cruise turns into spiritual experience for pastor, wife
It was just supposed to be a cruise to celebrate 15 years of marriage, see some of the Dominican Republic and even do a little service work, Tony Lankford recalls. Lankford, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in St. Simons…
End U.S. embargo on Cuba, faith leaders tell Congress
Two dozen faith communities joined in a letter March 16 urging members of Congress to end the nation’s “long-standing and counter-productive” embargo on Cuba. “We have listened to the call of our partner faith communities in Cuba, with whom we…
Baptist group welcomes latest easing of U.S. pressure on Cuba
An Alliance of Baptists leader is applauding new policies easing restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba unveiled by the Obama administration March 15.
Eggs, solidarity and imagination
On Monday morning, we have eggs with our breakfast. But on Tuesday — Martes Gordo, Fat Tuesday — we do not have eggs to add to our morning meal of bread and butter, juice, and coffee. I strive to connect…
Creativity, patience needed to minister overseas
By Ken Camp and Jeff Brumley A Korean-American Baptist minister who has traveled to North Korea more than two dozen times in the last 19 years, delivering tons of corn and wheat noodles to schools, orphanages and hospitals, was denied…
Champion bodybuilder shares skills, faith in Cuba
By Jeff Brumley What does it take to get a bunch of tough guys to open up emotionally and maybe even consider embracing the spiritual side of life? Ruben Ortiz says the answer is simple: another tough guy. And that’s…
A new day for Cuba
“We don’t have to be imprisoned by the past.” Those were words spoken by President Obama last month when he announced that the U.S. and Cuba are reopening embassies in each other’s countries after more than a half a century…
Reflections on changes in US-Cuba relations
Growing up in Mexico as a missionary kid gave me a different perspective on my native land. Whether always welcomed or not, I could not help but filter my own early sense of patriotism through the lenses of classmates.
Openness to Cuba is nothing new to these Baptists
By Ken Camp The world focused on Cuba in recent days, gauging the impact of restored diplomatic relations with the United States after more than 50 years. But for a volunteer team from Texas, a trek to Cuba was business as…
Russell Moore, Richard Land, criticize normalizing relations with Cuba
By Bob Allen Both the current and past presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission have criticized President Obama’s recently announced plan to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary who…