Cuban seminary has trained leaders for 84 years

Founded in 1924, New Pines Seminary (NPS) in Placetas, Cuba, has a long history of training leaders for the Cuban Church despite the uncertain environment of their country. With 786 graduates, the interdenominational seminary leads the way in providing theological education in Cuba.

During most of Castro’s rule, the Church was strongly repressed; however, since 1990, the government has allowed a greater degree of freedom for church activities, and the Cuban constitution was changed in 1992 to prohibit any discrimination against Christians.

Curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the country. In addition to offering the Bachelor of Theology and Master of Bible Studies programs, NPS offers certificate and diploma-level programs in such areas as Family Counseling, Church Planting, Evangelism and Christian Service through both residence and extension training programs. NPS’ five Training Centers are spread throughout the country, and several modular courses are offered for lay leaders and house church pastors as well.

Student Leonel Pujol co-pastors a mission with his wife in Bartolomé, a small town in the Villa Clara province, as they attend NPS. “NPS has been a huge blessing to us…Our time here is giving us knowledge regarding biblical doctrine, hermeneutics, apologetics, counseling, pastoral ethics and other important areas,” he says. The couple says their ministry is based on evangelism and preaching sound doctrine, and they hope to leave a well-established church in place to continue their outreach in other areas with no evangelical presence