What began as a dream and a prayer has become a model for Adventist house churches in Cuba. Daisy Mederos Rodriguez, a local children’s ministries leader, recently received a donation of children’s supplies brought by a Maranatha Volunteers International team in April. The 50-pound bag of construction paper, crayons, and books was a long-anticipated answer to prayer.
“I told you that God would provide!” Mederos exclaimed, raising her arms in praise as she spoke to fellow leader Elizabet Renton Labrada.
For Mederos, 64, answered prayers have defined her ministry. Years ago, she and her husband, José Perera Madruga, hosted weekly worship gatherings in their deteriorating home in Havana’s Casablanca neighborhood. That home was later deemed unsafe. In response, Maranatha Volunteers International purchased a property across the street to support the establishment of a house church.
The organization invited Mederos and her husband to serve as caretakers of the new site. Since then, the small property has become a community hub for children’s Bible lessons, songs, meals, and support. A recent donation from a Maranatha supporter enabled the property’s renovation, turning the space into a prototype for house group ministry in Cuba.
“God decided it was the right time to launch this project,” said Don Noble, president of Maranatha Volunteers International, during a visit to the site on April 20. “Our goal is to keep working little by little, step by step, as we let the Lord guide us.”
Mederos envisions further growth. “If I could get a few tents, we could camp here at the back and launch a Pathfinder ministry,” she said. “The goal is to reach more children for Jesus and, through them, reach out to their parents.”
A Biblical and Strategic Model
House group ministry follows the New Testament model of early Christian gatherings and reflects a renewed strategy within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In Cuba, logistical and political challenges often make travel to church buildings difficult. House groups, which are authorized by the government, offer a practical and accessible approach to sharing faith in underserved neighborhoods.
In April 2025, the General Conference Executive Committee approved updated guidelines for house group ministry.
“These guidelines are intended to reach as many people as possible with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s proclamation of the three angels’ messages,” said Gerson Santos, associate secretary of the General Conference.
Church leaders see Cuba as a particularly relevant context for this model. With frequent fuel shortages and limited public transportation, house groups can help expand the Adventist presence in communities that are otherwise difficult to reach.
A Life of Service
Mederos lives by a rigorous schedule of prayer, physical activity, and outreach. She prepares food for seniors and those in need, organizes community events, and regularly gives Bible studies. Volunteers who joined the April construction team at Casablanca noted her tireless energy.
“Daisy outworked and outlasted all of us,” said one volunteer. “Her stamina is admirable.”
Only two years ago, Mederos suffered a serious injury after falling. Doctors feared she might lose a lung. “I believe in the power of prayer,” she told her physician. Her recovery surprised the medical team. “With God’s help, I still have a work to do,” she said.
Today, Mederos continues to dream—and act. With a newly built fence, interior renovations, and a completed baptismal pool, she is preparing for her next event: a Mother’s Day celebration for women and children in the community. “I already have small bags filled with gifts,” she said. “I don’t want a single mother or child to leave without a token of appreciation.”
The baptismal pool was another specific prayer request. “I wanted this to become a place where many people will be welcomed into the Adventist Church,” Mederos said. Four people are already preparing for baptism, and others are studying the Bible.
Mederos hopes to expand the space even further. “Imagine if we could have a small park where I could bring seniors and their caregivers for a relaxing afternoon,” she said. “It would make me so happy.”
Maranatha Volunteers International is a nonprofit supporting ministry that is not operated by the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.
