ASHLAND — The church leadership of Stone Lutheran Church in Ashland committed to a special project in 2021.

The organization was presented with an opportunity to support the completion of a new building for the United Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Cuba — and jumped on it.

Stone Church adopted the small Cuban church as its “church sister abroad” and immediately got to work. By the end of October, and thanks the generous donations from the congregation, they had raised a bit more than the targeted $2,000 necessary to complete the project.

  • Many volunteers help with the Cuban church’s mission to help its members and the community.

  • A member of the church leads a Bible study class.

  • A church youth is shown here assisting others in the community.

  • Members of the church are shown packing items for distribution to those in need.

  • The Lutheran pastor and his assistants conduct a Sunday service.

Despite the pandemic and political and social unrest in Cuba over the past couple of years, the sister church continues growing and strengthening through different programs and ministries. It has formed leaders reaching people for Christ and actively helping in the distribution of food and resources within the best of its possibilities.

As 2021 closes, the Cuban group will have a new building that is the headquarters of a new church where Sunday service is celebrated and the community is reached, loved and fed.

“Our congregation’s generosity has encouraged and empowered the mission and ministry that we do together and is a tangible example of Christ’s love alive in the world today,” Pastor Miguel Acosta said.

“By the love and the grace of our Lord, even though we are a small congregation nestled in a country area, we are going beyond our walls and touching lives overseas, as a member of the universal body of Christ.”