Having traveled to over 35 different countries to share the gospel of life, one of the most remarkable stories witnessed unfolded in Cuba. It’s a testament to the power of Christ dwelling within believers through the Holy Spirit, a power capable of turning the world upside down if God so chooses. This is the story of Cuban Christians who, despite facing immense hardship, poverty, limited opportunities, and oppression, discovered that the Holy Spirit and Christ within them provided the power to demonstrably and visually change their nation simply by obeying the word of the Lord. This unfolding narrative in Cuba has been one of the most exciting developments in our 15 years of ministry at PassionLife.

Our work at PassionLife began back in 2011 and 2012 with a focus on China. My wife Kristen and I started traveling there, recognizing the immense need due to high abortion rates driven by policies like the one-child policy and widespread poverty. We observed a significant lack of organized pregnancy help ministries in China and across Asia, leading us to believe that the greatest needs lay outside the United States. We transitioned our efforts, or at least made a significant pivot, towards China, where we spent the next five to six years extensively. By the Lord’s mercy, we witnessed incredible and remarkable successes in China. Interestingly, the story now unfolding in Cuba actually has its roots in China. Even in China, we discovered that people had been praying for a decade for the very work we began to undertake. God indeed has His ways of moving things.

Beginning in 2012, our regular trips to China involved working with many local believers, helping them understand the biblical Christian ethic concerning rescuing the innocent and sharing good news with the guilty. We often spent several weeks at a time there, sometimes up to seven weeks. Almost immediately, from our first trip, we saw God move as the biblical call to rescue the innocent resonated with the people. They began to actively help their neighbors choose life for their babies. I recall a story from the day after my first training in China, where two Christian women brought their neighbor, pregnant with her second child and facing immense pressure to abort, assuring her, “Don’t worry, John. We’re going to make sure that she has her baby, that we care for her, that we help her. We know God’s will now. We’re just going to do it. We’re going to act like the midwives of Egypt”. This moment served as a clear affirmation that we were on the right path in teaching God’s people in the most challenging places, even like China, to obey His call to rescue the innocent.

Looking back, that period in China was an amazing time of openness. The same types of work we were able to do then, especially through the power of the Holy Spirit turning the world upside down, would be much more difficult today. Around that time, I joined the work as a board member, and soon after, I became the executive director at PassionLife. A key question as I joined was how to expand the successes we witnessed in China to other countries with high abortion rates. With a pioneer and missionary spirit, we began to examine global data. While comprehensive data was somewhat limited at the time, we identified a reliable source indicating that among countries with at least 10 million people, Cuba had the highest rate of abortion in the world. This revelation shifted our focus to Cuba.

It was a striking realization that Cuba, so close to the shores of the United States, held the unfortunate distinction of having the highest abortion rate globally. Initially, the prospect of working in Cuba seemed daunting, with uncertainties about access and possibilities. However, my work in Miami proved to be another of those instances where the Lord uses one endeavor for multiple purposes. Miami has a large Cuban population, and through interactions with them, we heard firsthand accounts of persecution, hardships, and arrests in Cuba. Meeting individuals who had been arrested and subsequently fled underscored the reality of transitioning from one communist-run country to another. After prayerful consideration, we decided to commission a trip to Cuba to explore what might be possible.

Many are surprised to learn of Cuba’s high abortion rate, often associating Latin America with strong Catholic influence. While this is generally true, in Cuba, particularly under communist rule, the expression of religion was severely repressed for a significant period. Interestingly, when the government later recognized the societal benefits of allowing religious expression, especially Christianity, it was the Protestant denominations that experienced a strong resurgence. We were pleasantly surprised by the vibrant Protestant presence we encountered in Cuba.

The initial exploratory trip took place in the fall of 2016. It wasn’t just one person who went; we sent a team of four, including myself, along with two individuals whom we deeply respected for their pro-life ethics teaching: Melissa Highland from Beautiful Feet Ministries and Raul Reyes, who is fluent in Spanish and has extensive experience in pregnancy center work. Jeanne, who had recently joined our staff at PassionLife, also went on this initial trip. We included Raul and Melissa because of their substantial pro-life experience and their fluency in Spanish. There’s a picture capturing our excitement as we prepared for that first journey.

To provide some context, Jeanne Pernia is a woman I met during my time starting a pregnancy center among Hispanic churches in Miami. Her personal story is incredibly impactful. She and her mother had actually helped establish an abortion clinic in Miami at one point. Tragically, Jeanne herself underwent an abortion in that very clinic. However, by the grace of God, she came to know His forgiveness and subsequently dedicated herself to working with us to establish more pregnancy help clinics. She joined our team and brought her powerful testimony to Cuba.

Looking back, the hand of God was clearly at work. Jeanne, having lived in Miami, being married to a Cuban husband, having many Cuban friends, and being a Spanish speaker, was instrumental. She has since become our organizer and director for all of PassionLife’s Latin American initiatives, though at that time, PassionLife hadn’t yet ventured into Latin America or the Caribbean. Jeanne had a connection – a Cuban pastor who had left Cuba years prior and was now pastoring a Spanish-speaking church in Miami. I flew to Miami to meet with Jeanne and this pastor, along with a couple of her friends. We met at the pastor’s house and shared the pressing need in Cuba, highlighting its high abortion rate and explaining how PassionLife typically operates in new countries. By God’s grace, this pastor recognized the potential and didn’t dismiss our vision. Instead, he affirmed the urgent need for this kind of ministry in Cuba. He provided us with the name of a pastor friend still serving in Cuba, and that introduction set our first visit in motion. This relational approach, relying on recommendations from trusted individuals, is often how PassionLife operates – God opening doors through connections.

In the missions world, the concept of a “man of peace” resonates deeply. It became evident that no matter how strong our convictions or well-defined our plans, God leads us to the right people at the opportune moment, individuals who embrace the vision and drive it forward. We found such a person in Miami and then again in a small town in Cuba through the pastor and his church.

Upon arriving in Cuba with Melissa, Raul, and Jeanne, one might have expected us to strategically begin in a major city, aiming to influence key figures and let the impact cascade. However, the Lord directed us to a small beach town with a single, modest Baptist church – the connection of the Cuban pastor from Miami. During our time there, we taught approximately six times, holding sessions in that church, other churches, and even a seminary. The relationships forged during that initial week, nine years ago, remain crucial to this day. I recall Melissa conducting a session and needing participants to fill in blanks on a piece of paper. We quickly discovered that many people did not have pens. This simple lack of a common writing tool starkly illustrated the poverty and scarcity of goods in Cuba. To address this, we traveled to Santiago City, the second-largest city in Cuba, and spent four hours going from store to store, managing to purchase only around 80 pens for the 120 people we anticipated would attend. This experience was eye-opening, providing a tangible understanding of the hardships endured by the Cuban people under decades of communism.

Even without fully realizing it at the time, that first trip ignited a powerful movement. The word of God was received, believed, and discussed, leading to reactions ranging from rejoicing to weeping and personal resolutions. There was a sense of resurrection power ignited that is not always evident in every place we minister. The fact that, nine years later, we are still working with some of the leaders we met on that initial trip speaks to the anointing and preparedness of those individuals.

Following that first trip in November, the strong and immediate response from several hundred people made it clear that we needed to return quickly. Despite a planned trip to China and other locations in the spring, we made arrangements to go back to Cuba in April 2017, just five or six months later. This time, Jeanne, my wife Dana, and I made the journey. I remember two significant events from that trip. First, Jeanne focused on ministering to a group of women in the main town who were grappling with the grief of past abortions. They sought to understand if forgiveness was possible and if they could still effectively serve the Lord. Jeanne, through her own experience, provided invaluable support and guidance. Meanwhile, Dana and I traveled to various churches, teaching the four questions. On one occasion, our aging car broke down in the middle of the night on our return journey, forcing us to sleep on the side of the road, near a bridge, as vehicles passed by. These travel challenges were part of the adventure of working in Cuba.

The second significant event of that trip was the profound impact of Jeanne’s meetings with a small group of four or five women. They delved into the question of experiencing God’s forgiveness in a way that would liberate them from shame and guilt, enabling them to serve the living God with the power of the resurrection, rather than feeling incapacitated by their past sins. Abortion, like other sexual sins such as adultery and promiscuity, often deeply affects the conscience and can be profoundly debilitating. Jeanne, with her own experience of abortion trauma, possessed the wisdom and insight to ensure that these women, who now desired to rescue other mothers and babies, were motivated by the grace and mercy of God and the miracle of forgiveness, rather than a sense of penance or obligation. They embraced the truth that the cross provided full payment for their sins and found renewal in that understanding. Consequently, they resolved to actively rescue mothers and babies in their communities, and they did just that. Their motivation stemmed from a place of having been restored to peace with God, which was truly inspiring.

From that point onward, we consistently returned to Cuba, often five times a year for the next couple of years. Three key patterns began to emerge. First, the local Christians began to take the lead. They weren’t simply following our direction; they were teaching alongside us, sometimes in our place, and even independently training other Christians. Second, we started connecting with higher-level leaders, including denominational leaders and presidents of pastoral organizations, which proved strategically beneficial in the long term. Third, every time we visited, as we walked through town, we increasingly encountered mothers and babies who had been reached and rescued by the Christians in that initial church. What started with a few conversations blossomed into a visible transformation within the community. It was amazing to witness this grassroots movement take hold.

These were individuals who could barely afford a pen, so they certainly weren’t establishing elaborate medical facilities. Their ministry began simply – meeting people in their homes and offering counsel. This grassroots effort coincided with our meetings with upper-level leaders. I recall a picture of me speaking with a man who was about to become the president of the most influential Baptist denomination on the island, showing him a handheld ultrasound machine that we had brought in for the new Christians who had a doctor ready to perform ultrasounds. It felt as though God was granting us favor during that time. This initial foothold in one small location began to spread across the entire island, a truly exciting development.

The US accounts for only 3% of the abortions worldwide each year, highlighting the vast global challenge. PassionLife’s mission is to serve where the need is greatest, rescuing the most vulnerable in areas with the highest concentration of abortion.

After several years of hearing about the remarkable stories unfolding in Cuba, I finally had the opportunity to visit myself as the president of PassionLife. I met some of the key pastors who had been instrumental in the work, as well as Dr. Ana, a central leader in pregnancy counseling and intervention training. I also had the privilege of meeting many of the mothers and babies whose lives had been impacted, hearing their stories firsthand in a large gathering. It was incredibly moving to witness God’s blessing on that small town and church and to see their growing organization and vision for expanding their efforts across the island.

It was indeed an exciting time. I specifically remember a baby dedication service where some of the women who had chosen life for their babies and their families had come to know Christ. I was present as they and their babies were prayed for. I also recall a baptismal service and the distribution of Bibles – it was truly inspiring to see the church actively caring for people in a way that was both life-saving and life-changing.

In October of that year, I believe it was 2019, we began laying the groundwork for expanding our ministry into Havana. We had received an invitation to speak at a major annual pastoral conference that brought together pastors from a very influential denomination across Cuba. We established key connections in preparation for this event, and then in March of the following year, we returned and, for the first time, shared the mission of PassionLife with over a thousand people simultaneously. Standing on that stage and proclaiming the importance of this work in Cuba, and witnessing the Amen responses from a thousand pastors and their wives, was a significant milestone, building considerable credibility and trust. We continued to return, meeting more denominational leaders and observing the leaders we were working with as they discipled others, not only sharing what they were doing but also equipping them to start their own pregnancy help ministries. During this time, even walking around that initial small town became an exercise in encountering the impact of the ministry. I recall being introduced to a 17-year-old deaf woman who had become pregnant after a horrific assault. Despite immense pressure to abort, she chose life, and her baby became a source of joy and a symbol of victory over her trauma. This young woman, as far as we know, came to faith through the ministry of these local Christians – a truly amazing testament.

Then, COVID-19 struck. The pandemic brought our travel to a halt and caused considerable worry. Communication was challenging due to limited internet access, and the lack of a banking or direct communication system between the US and Cuba created a difficult period of limited information. It took two long years before we could return to Cuba.

The timing of COVID was particularly difficult because we were witnessing a significant decline in abortion numbers in the town where our ministry had begun. The local clinic’s year-over-year reports showed a dramatic decrease in abortions performed – the numbers were plummeting. Being barred from entering the country for two years at such a pivotal time was incredibly frustrating. In fact, the town where we initially started saw the number of abortions drop to just three in a single year – they were effectively ending abortion in their community.

When we finally returned after those two years filled with uncertainty, we walked into that same church and discovered an incredible reality. During our absence, 22 babies had been rescued, and 15 mothers had come to know the Lord. The church, which had around 80 members, was now filled with pregnant women and mothers with young babies. The faithfulness of the church during those two years of isolation was truly remarkable.

Around this time, we were also blessed to find a key leader for Cuba, Pastor Sandy Canino. He arrived at the perfect moment and significantly elevated our efforts, helping the Cuban church organize more effectively and think strategically across the island, from province to province. He began to identify and connect key leaders in each province. To fast forward, today there are 16 pregnancy help clinics or services either operating or in the process of being established across Cuba. There is now a designated leader in almost every province, spearheading the charge across the entire island. They are truly taking the nation by storm.

Sandy’s leadership has been instrumental, with his God-given ability to identify, disciple, and strategically connect key leaders in various locations, creating a robust network of support across Cuba. This map illustrates the presence of leaders in numerous provinces and the various stages of development of pregnancy help centers across the island. It is a humbling and amazing sight.

This progress exemplifies the core principle of missions: teaching others who, in turn, teach others, allowing the initial workers to gradually step back. In many ways, the COVID-induced isolation served as a catalyst, compelling the church in Cuba to find its own footing, to trust in God’s provision of wisdom, strength, power, and resources to continue this vital work. Pastor Sandy’s leadership and connections were integral to this self-reliance. Consequently, the ministry has reached an advanced and self-sustaining stage.

And now for the big news: Cuba, which once held the tragic distinction of having the number one abortion rate in the world, is now ranked number four, all to the praise and glory of God. This remarkable transformation demonstrates what can happen when Christians actively live out their faith and when those of us back home provide prayerful and financial support to such ministries. We have witnessed firsthand how Christians following the Bible and simply doing what God has asked of them can demonstrably, visually, and demographically change a nation, effectively turning it upside down, echoing the account in Acts. To God be the glory. Amen.

This article is adapted from the episode transcript.