Christians Help Travelers Stranded by Volcano

Flights took off on schedule Thursday across most of Europe where travelers and airlines came to a standstill due to volcanic activity.

The volcanic ash cloud that shut down airports for almost a week may have caused major headaches for travelers, but it also gave Christians a unique ministry opportunity.

The volcano shut down British airspace for six days and the immense backlog of flights means it will be quite some time before all the stranded travelers finally make it home.

In the heat of the crisis, Manchester Airport Chaplain Kevin Ball stepped in to serve.

"When it was closed, and we still had passengers here we were very conscious of making sure they were ok, physically, mentally, and spiritually," Ball said.

With thousands of passengers stranded at the height of the stop-down, Ball said local churches also came to their aid.

"We're very fortunate in that members from the public and from local churches came and offered accommodation to people who were stranded," he said.

In the meantime, Christians in the United Kingdom believe there are spiritual implications to the crisis.

Christian business leaders gathered in Northwest England this week for a special evening of prayer for the country.

They say God is using this time to shake the nation.

"I thought it was an excellent focus for people, and the fact that the whole of the airlines was grounded for six days, giving people chance to sit back and listen and think about the awesomeness of God," one business leader said.

"Just to let people know that the forces of nature are indeed awesome and that the best laid plans of men may not always come to fruition," another business leader said.

This story floored me as I was blissfully ignorant of the fact there are Baptists in Cuba. I will pray for them.

Cuban Baptists Celebrate 100+ Years of Ministry

HAVANA, Cuba -- Cuba's Baptists recently gathered in Havana to celebrate more than 100 years of ministry. In spite of limitations under the Castro government, they're committed to continue planting new churches.

For Havana, an unusual sight was upon them. Hundreds of Christians were streaming into one of the city's largest churches for the 101st Western Baptist Convention.

Believers celebrated their achievements and unity, and featured Cuba's younger generation, an encouraging sign for the future of the Cuban church.

Baptist leaders challenged delegates to keep on growing the church, using activities targeted at children and other strategies to plant new congregations in western Cuba.

"Yes, we have experienced ministries in other places and provinces, where a children's club or Bible class has later become a place where a church was started," said Program Coordinator Abby Sanchez,

Dr. Victor Gonzalez, the president of the Western Baptist Convention, believes Cuba is entering a time of spiritual revival.

"I pray to the Lord that each of the brothers and representatives in this assembly can leave singing the vision that this is the time of revival and planting churches in Cuba," Gonzalez said.

Historical photographs and documents reminded delegates of Baptist growth over its 105-year history in Cuba. And long-serving members received special recognition. A Sunday School teacher was also honored for 50 years of service.

Foreign visitors joined the assembly, including Dr. Luis Becerra, the Colombian Consul.

"I sometimes ask myself what really is changing Cuba and there's no doubt that it's the people of Christ," Becarra said. "Today's message was perfect. It taught us that while we reflect that living Christ in our lives we are going to change Cuba, and I feel like a Cuban!"

And for Baptist believers gathered in the Havana convention agreed -- the best change for the island, is to win Cuba for Christ.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Ephesians 2:19