November 9, 2025
More than two hundred Georgians affiliated with Jubal Ministries recently traveled to Cuba in October to share the gospel through music and the spoken word in partnership with Global Missions Project. Though their goal was to help change Cuban lives through the power of the gospel, something unexpected happened along the way. Jubal orchestra member Bill Thomas said, “What I did not expect was how much the trip changed me!”
Thomas, a member of Beech Haven Baptist in Athens, said he was “humbled by the experience. People walked five miles each way to hear our concerts.” He continued, “People packed out the churches, standing outside by open windows to watch and listen. They were very receptive and grateful for our being there.”
For Ron Mize, who at age 84 was among the older members of the mission team, this was his seventh international trip with the Jubals. He said this trip required more flexibility than some of the previous tours. They were housed in four different locations and at times had up to an hour and a half bus ride to and from the venues. Except for Sunday, the concerts were to be finished by 5 p.m., meaning there were a lot of children and older people in attendance during the workday.
Mize, who serves as minister of music at Hull Baptist Church, said the most memorable moments were, “Seeing the response of the Cuban people as we sang, and as they participated in the singing, it was just wonderful! They were so responsive and very happy.”
Jonathan Gray, presdident and CEO of the Georgia Baptist Foundation, spoke on stewardship and financial management at a Pastors' Conference. Other speakers led breakout sessions on healthy churches, preaching, music and worship, and healthy discipleship. The conference also included a women’s leadership track. Gray said, “The people of Cuba are beautiful singers, and for all of us to be singing together, in English and in Spanish, it was very strong.” He also observed, “To me, they are really doing a good job of planting churches and raising up younger pastors.”
Rick Cook, the president of Jubal Ministries, declared, “It was an incredible week!” He elaborated on several of the other mission projects. This included providing funds to help purchase property for two new church plants. Those funds unexpectedly became available because of two medical projects associated with the trip.
Rick explained that when Delta Airlines heard of the humanitarian projects, they waived the baggage fees, which freed up funds to help purchase the properties. The Jubal Ministries collected more than 1,000 eyeglasses, which had been reconditioned by the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. The foundation calibrated and printed the prescriptions for each pair of glasses. The Jubals also collected more than 50 large suitcases full of over-the-counter medications, other medical supplies, and more. The eyeglasses and medicines will be distributed by the churches through a cooperative managed by the Eastern and Western Cuban Baptist Conventions.
Cook said that in addition, many of the participants left behind personal items of clothing that were laundered and are now being distributed to those impacted by flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa less than a week after their trip to the island.
John Cotten from Milledgeville plays guitar in the orchestra. He summarized the trip by stating, “Stumps have been cleared, gospel seeds have been planted. Now we pray that more will be able to join one of the Cuban’s favorite worship songs, 'Creo en Dios,' the chorus of which proclaims, ‘I believe in God. . . even when all is lost, I believe in God!’” He said, “We saw God at work, putting the puzzle pieces together as only He can.”
A highlight of each of the nine concerts was a gospel presentation. Decisions were made at each concert, and more than 125 people responded to the gospel during the trip. Cubans were changed by the power of the gospel. At the same time, the Jubals discovered that Cuba had changed them too, with their personal faith strengthened and renewed.
A Homecoming Concert will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the First Baptist Church of Newnan. In addition to the music, including “Creo en Deos,” testimonies from the mission trip will be shared throughout the evening.
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