They do not need churches for their services, nor do they need big events for an active church life. District Elder Alex Michel Reyes de Martinez talks about how New Apostolic Christians live their faith in the Caribbean.
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District Elder Alex Michel Reyes de Martinez
Photo: Oliver Rütten
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Photo: NAK Schweiz
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When he came to Europe in October, District Apostle Fehlbaum asked him to celebrate a service in Bülach in Switzerland;
Photo: NAK Schweiz
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… a first for the young Cuban minister.
Photo: NAK Schweiz
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… he normally preaches in small house churches.
Photo: NAK Schweiz
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“We have such house churches in every province.”
Photo: NAK Schweiz
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“From Artemisa in the north-west right down to Santiago de Cuba. That is why I drive a lot in order to look after the members,” District Elder Reyes says.
Photo: NAK Schweiz
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“The distance from Artemisa to Santiago is almost a thousand kilometres.
Photo: NAK Schweiz
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“Since most of the members don’t own a car, I have to go and visit them at home or meet them in places within walking distance.”
Photo: NAK Schweiz
Caribbean rhythms, magnificent beaches, expensive cigars … sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic is Cuba, the largest of more than 4,000 Caribbean islands, and one with a special flair. Among the eleven million inhabitants there are also New Apostolic Christians.
One of them is Alex Michel Reyes de Martinez. He is 33 years old and was born in Santiago de Cuba. He is married and the father of a seven-year-old daughter. At the beginning of 2016, District Apostle Markus Fehlbaum of Switzerland, who is responsible for Cuba, ordained him as a District Elder. He is assisted by six District Evangelists and additional ministers.
A first: service in a church
Every year, Alex Michel Reyes comes to Europe for meetings and seminars. He is a journalist and works for a number of magazines. “Cuba is a very beautiful country and I love to describe the beauty of my country,” he says and describes his passion for writing.
When he came to Europe in October, District Apostle Fehlbaum asked him to celebrate a service in Bülach in Switzerland; a first for the young Cuban minister. He normally preaches in small house churches and is not used to the vastness of a large church building.
Joyful congregations in private homes
The New Apostolic Church does not have any church buildings in Cuba, nor does it have rented premises or fixed meeting places like other congregations have in other parts of the world. New Apostolic Christians in Cuba gather to worship in private homes.
“We have such house churches in every province. From Artemisa in the north-west right down to Santiago de Cuba. That is why I drive a lot in order to look after the members,” District Elder Reyes says. “The distance from Artemisa to Santiago is almost a thousand kilometres. Since most of the members don’t own a car, I have to go and visit them at home or meet them in places within walking distance.”
Grateful for God’s nearness
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Alex Michel Reyes quotes Psalm 23 in Spanish, his personal motto: “With the Lord at our side—and He is there—we have everything. We lack nothing. That is our focus: the Lord is there and helps us. Sure, there is always something missing, but that is not what counts. What is important is that we attain the worthiness that is required. That is our goal. And nothing else really counts.”
The congregations in Cuba hear the word of God in small groups, celebrate Holy Communion, and talk about their experiences of faith. “This strengthens their faith. It makes them happy,” the District Elder reports. There is an added benefit of conveying Christian values, he goes on to explain: “Our faith is perceived by others, and we are happy that we can contribute positively to the moral development in the country.”