On Saturday, June 17th, Cuban national, Israel Matos Collado IV, was the commencement speaker at Global University’s graduation ceremonies held in Springfield, Missouri. Global University is a fully accredited non profit Christian University, of the Assemblies of God (AG). As a worldwide distance learning pioneer, the university integrates education and service through a network in 150 countries. Its three main languages of instruction are English, Spanish and French. Four schools comprise Global University: School for Evangelism and Discipleship; Berean School of the Bible; Undergraduate School of Bible and Theology and Graduate School of Theology. The vision of Global University is to impact eternity by reaching the lost and training the found, everywhere.

Israel Collado has deep roots in the Cuban Assemblies of God, being third generation AG. His grandfather, “Chael,” was a pig farmer in rural Eastern Cuba before Castro’s Revolution. When a Pentecostal missionary was looking for a place to set up, he provided space on his farm for him. Hearing the missionary’s message, he chose to make Christ his Lord and Saviour. His grandfather would go on to donate the land for the first Assembly of God church in Eastern Cuba. He would become a deacon of the church and head the men’s ministries, while his wife would lead the women’s ministries. Collado’s father would become a minister and the assistant treasurer for Cuba’s South Eastern District.

Despite the difficulties for Christians after Castro seized power, Collado himself doesn’t remember not being a part of the church, but does remember his parents’ fervent prayer for him and his siblings. “They told us, ‘The only thing we want you to do in life is serve the Lord. Whether you go to college or not, you make sure you serve the Lord,” recalls Collado. “And that’s what I’m trying to fulfil.” For decades one of the major problems facing the Cuban Church has been the teaching and training of Christians for ministry. This is where Global University’s distance learning has proved invaluable.

Source: PE News; Global University

Bible Study: Proverbs 4:1-5

OCTOBER Praise God for three generations of the Collado family that serve Him in ministry to Cuba. Praise Him for the miraculous salvation of Chael and for the passing on of the Gospel from one generation to the other. PRAYER WIDER that Israel and his wife may be greatly used.