The Cuban Assemblies of God (AoG) denomination has called for the return of a 27-hectare site confiscated by the government in 1963. Formerly the location of the Bible Institute of the Evangelical Pentecostal Church of Cuba (AoG), the denomination is also discussing appropriate compensation with the authorities.
The Bible Institute, established in 1939, housed hundreds of students, many of whom were training to be pastors, before they were ordered out by gun-toting soldiers in March 1963. The site included housing for students and teachers, a chapel, and agricultural land where food was grown and cows were kept for milk. Institute director Floyd Woodworth was arrested and held in solitary confinement for 20 days before being released and deported to the United States.
The AoG developed alternative methods to educate future church leaders but, as it was not officially recognised, this work took place in a legal grey area.
