Arousing Hearts for Change in Latin America

Born in Argentina, Overseas Council’s (OC) Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Josué Fernández, is helping to tackle the many challenges for the Church in Latin America. Josué has served in ministry for more than 20 years and has pastored churches, developed a rehab program for youths addicted to drugs and alcohol, and created a ministry to feed homeless children.

Because of his work in the field, Josué has developed personal relationships with school leaders, engendering trust and mutuality. In that partnership, he has been able to navigate a number of cultural nuances and critical factors at play in areas of Latin America, like Cuba. “God is doing great things in Cuba,” says Fernández. “Through the ministry of Overseas Council, seminaries are transforming communities and having a great impact. In particular, it’s very interesting to see how our graduates from New Pines Seminary in Cuba are developing.

In the past they have created ministries that reach out to children, the elderly, and the poor of the Old Havana community. Now they have taken an even deeper dive into the family with a new ministry focused on reducing divorce and keeping the family together.” Government statistics in 2015 found that the Cuban divorce rate was decimating Cuban families (between 65 and 95 percent, including multiple marriages by one person).

In addition to helping create a new Master’s program at New Pines Seminary, Josué provides counsel to five additional seminaries training current and future church leaders. Through OC’s consultation, these seminaries are building the capacity to be more effective educating and equipping church leaders, who will serve the Cuban family. It is a true blessing for OC to be in the middle of helping to improve the health of the Church and the communities of Latin America.

By: Josué Fernández, Overseas Council’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean