Cuba (MNN) ― Cuba's dictator Fidel Castro says he doesn't intend to cling to his power forever. That means change is coming soon to the Communist nation.
The 81-year-old leader has not made a public appearance in over a year, when he temporarily ceded his powers to his younger brother Raul 16 months ago. The move followed an emergency intestinal surgery. To observers, the greater surprise was that he did not immediately resume his powers. In fact, he has not said when -- or even if -- he will permanently step aside.
His thoughts about power and making way for younger leaders echo pre-surgery speeches. Castro officially remains the country's head of government, as president of Cuba's Council of State.
Initially, he set up Cuba as an atheist state, but in 1992, the constitution was changed to call it a "secular" state that guaranteed freedom of religion.
That did not necessarily mean full freedom in actual practice. Freedom of religious worship was officially recognized ahead of a visit by Pope John Paul II in 1998. In 1999 evangelistic crusades were held for the first time since 1959.
This, in addition to the relaxation of some of the religious restrictions, sparks hope. Global Advance's David Shibley: "There are operations of many ministries already in Cuba. We are holding, at Global Advance, a forum, where we are hosting seven ministries involved in ministry in Cuba, at our headquarters in Dallas, in January, to look at the potential for a national strategy for the evangelization of that nation."
Evangelical Christians, whose numbers are growing rapidly throughout the country, have already felt the benefits. Yet, Shibley cautions, "Persecution and security continues to be a problem for the church. But there's something that the enemies of the Cross of Christ do not understand, and that is, that persecution and threat only tend to increase the strength of the church in many nations."
While religious restrictions in Cuba do not warrant the designation as a "CPC" (Country of Particular Concern), the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom says the country remains on the Watch List because of violations of religious freedoms either tolerated or instigated by the government.
Pray that the church in Cuba will continue to reach out with the news of God's grace, despite the opposition from the government. Pray that freedom of religion will truly become a reality in Cuba.
