Fidel Castro took control of Cuba January 1, 1959. To begin with, this looked to be a positive sign for Cuba. Castro displaced a dictator by the name of Batista.

Within only a few short years, Fidel Castro’s true colors came through. He declared himself to be a communist, and his dictatorship far surpassed the brutality and control of Batista.

By 1965, Castro sought to kill the church in Cuba. David and Margaret Fite along with Margaret’s parents served as Southern Baptist missionaries to Cuba.

Castro had David Fite and his father-in-law and 53 pastors of Baptist churches imprisoned. David Fite remained in prison in Cuba for 3 1/2 years.

Though the imprisonment was brutal in nature and difficult for this father of three young sons, one of which was only a month old, the beauty and power of the gospel shown through.

Two things happened immediately which showed the power of God.

First, David Fite was immediately put in solitary confinement. Neither he nor the other pastors knew that the others had been imprisoned.

David Fite said late at night he heard someone beginning to sing “Onward Christian Soldiers.” Then he heard someone join in the singing. Before the hymn was complete there was a whole chorus of people singing praises to God. Fite knew then that he was not alone in his imprisonment.

Second, though Castro came against the church and sought to destroy the fledgling baptist churches in Cuba, he was unable to do so. Margaret Fite described how the Sunday after the imprisonment every church continued with their worship services. She she said that on that Sunday every church had someone who stood bravely and strongly to preach the gospel.

Fidel Castro died this past November 25 at age 90.

On the day Castro died, there were 4500 evangelical churches (churches who believe that salvation is by grace through faith) in Cuba. At the same time it is estimated that there are 10,000 other house groups meeting in Cuba.

These events give proof to the words of Jesus: “. . . upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).

Sometimes we Christians get very discouraged, but God is at work around the world. There are more churches and more Christians than ever before. The gospel is growing in magnificent numbers in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Let us join with our faithful brothers and sisters around the world who take up the cross daily and follow after Christ.

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