Cubans In North America                I. Historical Perspective A. Country of Origin -Cuba B. Language(s) - Spanish

C. Religious Background - The dominant religion, as in most Spanish-speaking countries, is Roman Catholic.  There are substantial numbers of Protestants, a small Jewish population, as well Afro-Cubans, who practice Santeria.


D. Southern Baptist Work - Southern Baptists received pleas to send missionaries to Cuba as early as 1879. The Florida Baptist Convention responded by beginning a Cuban mission with the hope that the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board) would take it over. At the 1886 Southern Baptist Convention, participants voted for the Home Mission Board (now the North American Mission Board) to oversee Cuban ministries.


E. Sub-cultures - Cubans that have lived in the U.S. for a long time and the newly arrived Cubans. Those from Eastern and Western Cuba. 


F. Past Challenges - In 1959, Fidel Castro led a violent overthrow of the Cuban government and established a Socialist state closely allied with the Soviet Union. Cuba became the Western Hemisphere's first Communist society. Since that time, refugees have streamed out of Cuba.


G. Past Immigration Patterns - There have been three waves of Cuban refugees to the United States. The first wave occurred during and after the Castro revolution. Most of these refugees were middle- and upper-class citizens and government officials--those most adversely affected by the economic changes. The second wave lasted for eight years (1965-73), when Castro allowed the disenchanted (as long as they were not of military age) to leave. Weekly "Freedom Flights" from Havana to Miami took place during this time. The most recent wave was in 1980, when Castro allowed an armada of small boats to leave Mariel, Cuba for Miami. The "Mariel Boatlift" sent a "controversial" group of refugees, which included prisoners and mental patients.

II. Current/Future Challenges


A. Population - Currently, the Cuban population in the United States is conservatively estimated to be 4 million-- 2 million in Florida, 250,000 in California, and 350,000 in New York and New Jersey.


B. Present Immigration Patterns - Cubans continue to come to the U.S. in several ways: On boats via the gulf (yhis has slowed down quite a bit recently); going to other countries and then jumping to the U.S., and/or coming directly to the U.S. by way of the annual number permitted. 


C. Evangelism - Cuban Baptist leaders indicate that Cubans who arrive on U.S. soil as Cuban Catholics are a lot more receptive to the gospel and more readily respond to the invitation to become Christians. The most difficult group to reach in the Cuban community is the "ateos"-the atheists.


D. Church Planting - The Miami Baptist Association, with the help of Southern Baptists across the country, reached out to the thousands of Cuban refugees coming to this country. Southern Baptist work is flourishing in Cuba and the United States today. Currently, Florida has more than 200 Baptist churches with a great Cuban influence in leadership and membership. Despite the great growth, the majority of Cuban churches have yet to catch the church planting, reproduction vision. 


F. Family Life

1. Education - Despite the aggressive style that propels the Cuban into leadership, they like the rest of the Hispanic community continue to struggle with the educational aspect, because of the language and the need to work to support their family.

2. Occupation - While many members of the Cuban community have become politicians, doctors, and business owners, many are struggling with the matter of job opportunities, because their training and degrees are not recognized in this country. 

Resources

• A History of Cuban Protestantism by Antonio Ramos
• Antonio Ramos, Miami, FL pastor, linguist, historian, specialist, professor, and writer.
• David Lema, Miami Baptist Association