Tag Archives: Herald of Truth

Radio follow-up in Cuba

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Tony Fernández, Herald of Truth representative in Cuba

One important part of my work at Herald of Truth is the preparation of the radio program Lea La Biblia (Read the Bible). When recording a program, I don’t get to see any of the listeners; I just have to imagine them in my mind’s eye. One of the great things about traveling to other countries is that I get to meet some of those God has touched through the work I get to do.

One of the first people I met at the men’s conference was Vladimir Sedeño Díaz, from Camagüey, in the eastern part of the main island of Cuba. Vladimir was trained in telecommunications at the University of Kiev, then sent directly to the front in Angola. He fought in Zaire, the Congo, Namibia and South Africa, being wounded in battle more than once. He came home with lasting injuries, both physical and psychological. He gradually turned away from political ideology and sought Christ.

Vladimir heard the Herald of Truth Lea La Biblia radio program and called the Herald of Truth office in Matanzas. Tony Fernández, our representative there, contacted the preacher in Camagüey, who visited Vladimir, studied with him, and eventually baptized him.

Vladimir became a fervent promoter of the radio programs provided by the churches of Christ, including those by Herald of Truth and another produced by Christian Productions International out of Florida. Through Vladimir’s efforts, ten more people have been converted, and several new house churches have begun. God is doing great things!


Last June, when I made a quick trip to Cuba, I was able to speak briefly by phone with a brother from Punta de Maisí, the easternmost tip of the island of Cuba. At the conference last week, I finally got to meet this brother face to face.

In 2011, when we began broadcasting Lea La Biblia via Trans World Radio, this preacher began hosting a “listening club” for other Christians and their neighbors. Not everyone in his remote town has a radio, so they gather together to listen and discuss the program. When the churches of Christ began other programs months later, the club met at those times as well.

It was great for me to be able to connect a face with the voice on the phone.

Friday of last week, I was privileged to go with Tony Fernández to the post office to see the letters coming in to the Herald of Truth office. Tony hadn’t been able to go that week, so he thought there might be a lot. He was right!

In our ministry, we put a lot of emphasis on local follow-up. What’s the use of broadcasting somewhere if no one can follow up with the people that respond? Tony is one of the hardest working people I know, and he applies that hard work to following up on radio contacts. He was concerned that some of these people might have had to wait over a week for a response; his goal is to allows respond within seven days.

We’re currently getting over 100 letters per month, many of those requesting Bibles and Bible studies. As I said the other day, I dare not take any credit for any of this. If God has been able to use anything that I do, the glory is his. Herald of Truth has been around for 60 years, seeking to be a tool for God’s Kingdom.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
(Psalms 115:1)

God’s work in Cuba

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As someone pointed out the other day, the Kitchen was closed last week. I was on a trip to Cuba, on behalf of Herald of Truth.

Many of you know that Cuba is one of my favorite places to work, not so much because of the place itself, but because of what the Christians are doing there. I’ve been troubled over the last few years by the number of brothers here in the States that want to take credit for what’s going on in Cuba; if I ever seem to be doing that, let me know.

Herald of Truth has a representative in Cuba named Tony Fernández. He is one of the hardest-working ministers I know. The church that Tony works with in Matanzas was hosting the National Preachers Conference. The week before my arrival, Tony would stay up all night one night, sleep on night, then stay up the next. The first two nights that I was there, Tony didn’t sleep. I don’t know how he does it.

I arrived on Saturday, June 26. Wednesday of that week, Tony had totaled his car (no, not because he fell asleep!). He came upon an unmarked highway construction site at night and didn’t see the concrete barriers that had been turned sideways. He was unhurt, but his car is a mess. I say it’s totaled, but looking at the other cars on the road, I have to admit the Cubans may be able to get it running again.

I was privileged to speak at the Versalles church on Sunday morning. There was a full crowd, and we had a great service. Twelve people came forward to be baptized. That may sound like a lot, but it’s fairly normal for a church that baptizes about 200 people a year (including many who meet in smaller churches throughout the province, churches started by this congregation).

They wanted me to do the baptizing, but I have tried to put in practice what Paul wrote:

“I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:14–17)

I firmly believe that the local Christians should do the baptizing. While I was there, they asked a man who has made many trips to Cuba how many people he has baptized there; he replied that it was about 700. I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that the statement made it sound like he was responsible for those conversions. I’m not saying that he was saying it that way, but I think it’s best to avoid all confusion.

I’ll tell you some more about the week over the next few days. It was great to be there and great to be back.

California trip

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(Photo by Erik Tryggestad, Christian Chronicle)

Oh, that’s right. I have a blog. Sorry, but sometimes life gets in the way of blogging. I used to have a “post or die” mentality, making sure that I had something out five times a week. Now I accept the fact that the world somehow goes on turning, even when I can’t put anything up here.

I was at the Pepperdine Lectures last week, representing Herald of Truth. Before that, I got to speak at the Long Beach Church of Christ; it had been ten years since I’d visited that wonderful congregation. 30 years ago (wow!), I spent two summers out there. I also went on two Spring Break campaigns there, and they helped support us while we were in Argentina.

I visited the Inland Valley Church of Christ in Ontario, California, on that Sunday evening. My friend Carlos Gonzales is the worship leader there. They have a strong bilingual church, with Tom Allen, a Bolivian native, as their preacher.

Before going to the lectures, I had joked that I was going there as Juan Monroy’s handler. Turned out to be more true than I realized. Juan spoke twice, had a book signing and received an award from the university. I spent most of my time with him, driving him back and forth from the campus and making sure that he had what he needed. Ammiel Perez from Cuba was also there and needed similar attention. I’ve had brothers serve me in the same way when I’ve traveled to other countries, so it was a pleasure to get to minister to these men.

Saw a few people, but mainly in passing. To all those I missed, or barely spoke to, I offer an apology. I would have loved to have had more time to visit, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.

I’m grateful for workshops and conferences that allow us to gather and be fed. After hearing one of the main lectures, Juan said to me: “This has been so good for me. I’m all the time teaching others… once in a while, I need to be fed as well.” Amen to that.

Trip to El Salvador

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I spent this past weekend in San Salvador, El Salvador, on a trip for Herald of Truth ministries. We’re doing a media project there this year. The project will involve two different radio programs that I will be doing, as well as Bible/literature distribution and a preaching campaign in October.

The churches in El Salvador are very active and seem to be extremely well organized. There is little dependence on outside influences, and we’re doing our best not to interfere with that. That’s why these trips are so important, so that we can talk with the brothers, get their input, hear their concerns and learn from their suggestions. It’s also helpful to them to know exactly who they are partnering with.

Steve Ridgell and I arrived on Thursday. Our colleague from Honduras, Rigoberto Vargas, had arrived on Wednesday. He came to the airport with Julio Mejía Mateo, the local preacher that will be spearheading our effort. We spent Thursday afternoon visiting with them, finalizing our plans for the next few days.

On Friday we visited two radio stations, a print shop and the local Bible society. We worked on getting final prices so that we can give the project a definite structure. Friday evening, we met with a small group at Julio’s congregation. He encouraged them to “ask us questions about anything.” The first question concerned what Peter writes about Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison… and the questions didn’t get much easier from there.

Saturday morning Steve did some sessions on leadership. We didn’t know how many to expect since the seminar was arranged on somewhat short notice, but we had approximately 70 people there. They really appreciated what Steve had to offer. Then I described the project to them, letting them know that we wanted all of their congregations to participate and feel a part of the project. Saturday evening, we went with Adrian Larin to his congregation, where they were having a meeting of married couples. I got to share some thoughts on marriage with that group.

Sunday morning we were with Julio Mejía Mateo’s group. They have Bible class at 8 with small groups, then a general study at 9, followed by worship at 10. Steve taught a men’s class at 8, then I taught at 9 and preached at 10. After lunch, we had a strategy meeting: me, Steve, Rigoberto, Julio, Adrian and Jorge Navidad.

Sunday night wasn’t a work night, so we went to the small store of one of the sisters from Julio’s church and got to eat pupusas, a famous dish that is very popular in El Salvador. The woman let us know that her food was very safe, that many famous people had eaten her pupusas, including Pope John Paul II. I pointed out that that was no real comfort, since John Paul II is deceased! She got a good laugh out of that one.

Monday we headed home. Gotta say it… I love my job.

Herald of Truth seminars on evangelism and Christian living

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One of the things I’m really enjoying at Herald of Truth are the seminars that we are presenting. It’s a neat deal. Local churches get to host one of these seminars, just paying for our travel expenses. At some point in our time there, we do a presentation about our ministry, letting people know what Herald of Truth is doing in 2012. That’s the only payment we ask for.

Sharing Our Story is presented by Steve Ridgell, and equips and motivates Christians to share the good news of Jesus by telling stories – stories from Scripture and stories from their live and the lives of believers today. You can hear some of Steve’s material from his presentation at ACU Summit 2010. Go to this page and look for recordings #119 and #169. The classes were titled “Your Story is God’s Story.”

I get to present the Christ and Culture seminar, which deals with how Christians interact with our culture in a way that is godly, Christ-centered, and relevant. I’ve done this seminar in Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey and Texas; I’m ready to add some more states to the list! The sessions are: “The Fish Doesn’t Know That He’s Wet,” “Alexander Made Me Do It,” “Christ and Culture,” and “God’s Ambassadors.”

Bill Brant does a seminar called Salt Talk, examining what it means to live as the “salt of the earth” in this world as based on Matthew 5. It looks at these questions: “Did Scripture Really Say That?”, “So Why Aren’t We Persecuted?”, and “What Can We Do To Keep From Being Overwhelmed By The World?”

I’d love for your congregation to enjoy one of these seminars. Contact Bill Brant, bbrant@heraldoftruth.org, for more information.