The Church of the Nazarene in the Mesoamerica Region celebrates a historic milestone with the organization of the new Central Cuba District, headquartered in the province of Santa Clara. This district has been established with 21 churches, 2 Church-Type Mission (CTM), and 6 missions in formation, which are nearly ready to become CTM, marking a significant advancement in the church’s organizational structure on the island.
The inauguration ceremony was held on January 25 of this year, where leaders for various district ministries were elected, ensuring strong leadership and comprehensive support for local communities. A significant moment of this event was the election of Reverend Beatriz Reyes Silvente as superintendent, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Cuba. “She is an extraordinary leader in the Cuban church,” stated Carlos De la Cruz, Strategy Coordinator for the Central Mesoamerica Area. This milestone strengthens women’s leadership within the church and adds to the three other women already serving in this role in the region.
The Western District, led by its superintendent, Reverend Leonel López, has been key in the vision and realization of this new district. The church’s expansion in Cuba continues, with plans to organize another new district by 2030, reaffirming the commitment to growth and evangelization.
A Woman of Faith and Mission
“I want to express my gratitude and honor God every day of my life. How could I not be grateful? Just as Mary Magdalene was, I too was delivered by the Lord from demons 31 years ago—Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Since then, I have dedicated my entire life to serving Him in His Kingdom, with gratitude and honoring Him in everything.
For many years, giants have risen to say that there is no place for women in this calling. I have had to cross deserts, walk through fire, grow my faith, place my trust solely in God, walk in the power of His promise, and remain faithful to the command of Matthew 28:19.
Through my greatest tribulations, I learned that God is enough, that He is always present, that He sustains everything by the power of His word, that I am merely a vessel for His glory, and I rejoice in knowing that His Holy Spirit lives within me. I could have done or achieved nothing—He has always been the one working, so all the glory belongs to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” expressed Rev. Silvente.
Reverend Beatriz Reyes Silvente met the Lord in 1993 at the age of 23 in the church pastored by Rev. Amelio Palmero in Guantánamo. From the moment of her conversion, she felt a strong call to ministry, serving for nine years as president of the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) ministry in her district. Her passion and dedication led to her being sent as a missionary to the community of Cidra for three months, which later resulted in her election as pastor of the local church, where she served for twelve years.
In 2014, Rev. Reyes was sent to Santa Clara to pastor the mother church and represent the province, a role she has carried out for the past ten years. Her leadership has resulted in the planting of five new churches in the central region of Cuba, the area where the new district has now been organized.
Married for 38 years to Hermesindo Rodríguez Gámez, Rev. Reyes has received unconditional support from her husband throughout her ministry journey. Together, they have built a beautiful family with two children—one of whom is a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene—and three granddaughters who are a great blessing and joy to their lives.
She holds a diploma in theology from the Nazarene Seminary of Cuba and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in evangelism. However, her greatest strength is her divine calling to serve and make Christlike disciples.
“We praise God for everything He is doing in the church in Cuba,” concluded Carlos De la Cruz.
The organization of this new district not only strengthens the church in Cuba but also reaffirms the vision of growth and discipleship that guides the mission of the Church of the Nazarene in the region and worldwide.
Source: Rev. Carlos De la Cruz, Strategy Coordinator for the Mesocentral Area.
