“The Power of Prayer” Orson Vila Cuba 1995 At 9:00 A.M. on May 24, 1995, Cuban police surprised Pastor Orson Vila at his home and took him prisoner. The next day, thousands of believers filled the streets in front of the government offices in Camaguey, protesting the unjust arrest. It was the latest move by Castro’s government to implement a new law designed to close down house churches everywhere. Orson, who pastors a large house church with a congregation of 2,500, is also superintendent of the Central District of the Assemblies of God Church in Cuba. During the previous four years, in an apparent opening up of religious freedom, the Communist government permitted the development of these house churches. But upon seeing the unstoppable growth of new believers, they changed their point of view. The church in Cuba was in revival as never before. There were eighty-five new house churches in the area of Camaguey alone! The government leaders were furious, and proclaimed that these house churches threatened the Cuban government. They tried to force the leaders, like Orson Vila, to close all the house churches. None of the churches were willing to close. Despite the tremendous demonstration of support by believers, Orson was not given a fair trial. His lawyer had no opportunity to provide a defence. On May 24, he was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison. Twenty-three years ago, Brother Orson gave up his medical career to dedicate himself full-time to preach the Gospel throughout Cuba. Since that time, he has been an evangelist, the leader of the Christian youth, and the National Advisor of Youth. He has been imprisoned and threatened various times. His story reached believers around the world who prayed for him, his family, and his church. On March 2, 1996, he was released early and placed under house arrest. Upon his release, Pastor Vila shared about his time in prison: “I’m so thankful for the power of prayer. I received strength from God and was never ill – no flu, no skin disease, no illness at all. And I had lots of opportunities to share the Gospel with my fellow inmates.” Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. – Paul the Apostle, martyred in Rome, AD 65 (Phillipians 1:19, 20 MSG) (Copyright © Jesus Freaks by Dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs)
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:00:01 +0000
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