Armed agents from multiple Mexican federal agencies carried out a surprise raid on Assemblies of God facilities in Mexico City on Friday, seizing property and closing buildings amid an ongoing legal dispute over alleged damage to a historic site.
Dozens of officers from the National Guard, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), and the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC) arrived without warning at the Anna Sanders Theological Seminary, the “Jesus Christ Light to the Nations” church, the Southern District offices of the Assemblies of God, and the Recursos Cristianos Kerygma bookstore. Furniture, books, instruments and personal items were removed from the seminary and left outdoors in public view.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
“Look at us, surrounded by police as if we were criminals. May the Lord have mercy on us,” said one of the seminary’s teachers as staff watched the eviction unfold.
Closure seals were placed on all properties, including the seminary campus spanning more than 10,000 square meters near the San Lázaro Legislative Palace. The action was reportedly linked to a ruined structure on the premises believed to be a 16th-century Catholic sanctuary protected by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Pre-order Jonathan Cahn’s Newest Book, “The Avatar” on Amazon.com!
“The police carried out the eviction because there’s a ruined building on the premises. They claim it is a cultural heritage site,” said a seminary staff member who requested anonymity. “This isn’t the first time they’ve tried something like this.”
In an official statement, the Assemblies of God described the government action as “sudden and treacherous,” stating that it was executed under a search warrant despite the church’s legal ownership of the property. A previous inspection of the old San Lázaro church in February led to a March lawsuit from INAH alleging “damages to a historic monument.”
“We ask for intense prayer in these days. We hope this is resolved soon. We need to be cautious,” said Miguel Ángel Solís Osorno, deputy director of the seminary.
The Kerygma bookstore was also sealed, with all materials left inside. “We weren’t able to remove anything from the bookstore; everything was left inside. We don’t know what’s going to happen to all the materials, hundreds of books and items remain in there,” a staff member said.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
Photos shared on social media showed that security cameras were removed from the seminary during the operation. No arrests were made.
Church leaders say their legal team is preparing appeals and that a negotiation hearing is set for Aug. 26. The Mexico City and federal governments have not issued any public comment regarding the raid.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
