The Rejection of Christians in Educational Centers in Cuba

Christian education in Cuba stands as a testimony of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. This is evident in the lives of young people like Juan Pablo*.

Raised by his mother and grandmother, Juan Pablo was introduced to Jesus at an early age. "I remember how they taught me to pray to God in all circumstances," he recalls. At 16, he made a personal decision to become a Christian, filling the void left by his father's absence since birth. "From that day on, God became my father," he shares.

However, Juan Pablo quickly learned the hardships Christians face in Cuba. From his earliest school days, he was ostracized for his faith. "My classmates called me 'the weird kid,' just because I prayed before lunch and told them I went to church," he says. This ridicule escalated into physical harassment by his classmates, with teachers not only failing to intervene but often exacerbating the situation through public humiliation.

Throughout his primary and secondary education, Juan Pablo faced unrelenting pressure to conform. He was forced to accept Darwin’s theory of evolution as absolute truth. "If I voiced a different opinion, my grades would drop," he notes. His isolation deepened as he remained without friends.

The challenged intensified when he began studying economics. School authorities discovered his faith and pressured him to renounce it. "They forced me to join the Federation of Young Communist Cubans (UJC)," he says. Students are often compelled to align their beliefs with government ideologies, which frequently conflict with Christian beliefs.

When Juan Pablo refused to join, retaliation followed. Despite being an outstanding student, his grades began to inexplicably drop. "They started lowering my grades, causing me to fail several subjects," he explains.

This unrelenting pressure led Juan Pablo to abandon his studies during university. "It hurt me deeply because I wanted to prepare for better job opportunities in the future," he reflects.

Education for Christians: A Historical Problem
 

Juan Pablo's experience is far from unique. It reflects the struggles faced by many Christian students in Cuba over decades.

After the Cuban Revolution, as communism took root, the government launched an intense campaign of religious persecution, including within schools.

"The regime began associating religion with values they viewed as contradictory to their socialist principles, such as obedience to divine authority over political authority," explains Josué Valdez*, a researcher for Open Doors. Religious institutions became seen as potential threats to the regime’s control. "The government grew wary of institutions receiving international support, fearing they might be linked to foreign 'enemy' organizations that could destabilize the government," he adds.

Miguel*, a pastor with over 20 years of experience and an Open Doors volunteer, recounts how he and other fellow students had to meet in secret to share their faith. "We would gather in the mountains or other secluded places to talk about the word. If we were discovered, we could be expelled and accused of proselytizing," he says.

Although the government declared Cuba a secular state in 1992, and claimed religious persecution had decreased, the reality is different. "It’s just a facade," says Miguel. "Religious freedom exists only when it aligns with the regime’s ideals." In his ministry, Miguel has witnessed how the government constantly tries to control the growth of churches and their teachings, while silencing those who do not support its policies.

According to Open Doors, between January 2021 and March 2024, 614 incidents of persecution were recorded in Cuba, including church closures. Currently, Cuba ranks as the most dangerous country in Latin America for Christians, standing 22nd globally on the World Watch List 2024.
 

Teachings that Bring Hope

Despite ongoing persecution, churches in Cuba remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to educating future generations in Christian principles. Many churches run Sunday schools, catechetical programs, and educational activities for children and youth – formally or informally.

"I attended Sunday school at my local church as a child," says Juan Pablo. These programs teach values such as love, peace, solidarity, and social justice, nurturing a generation with positive influences. They also provide a space where young people can express their faith freely and connect with like-minded peers.

For experts like Josué Valdez, Christian education plays a vital role amidst repression. Churches serve as refuges of moral and spiritual values, offering families the support the state cannot provide. "Although the regime attempts to control church teachings, many remain faithful to Christian principles, influencing the education of new generations," Valdez explains.

Over the past four years, Open Doors has worked to empower church leaders through biblical training, discipleship, and evangelism strategies. These efforts include methods to engage youth and grow churches despite persecution.

This year, Juan Pablo participated in a training session to strengthen his ministry at the small church where he serves. "My goal is to continue in ministry and dedicate my life to serving the Lord, to keep winning others to Jesus even amidst restrictions," he says.

Like Juan Pablo, over 200 leaders have benefited from these trainings, deepening their understanding of the gospel to face persecution and develop discipleship that serves as light and salt in these challenging times. Many have shared their knowledge within their churches, allowing others to benefit from these teachings.