Latin America: Nicaragua
Mission History
The CRCNA entered Nicaragua in response to an earthquake that destroyed the capital city of Managua on December 23, 2972. CRWRC helped meet the emergency needs of the earthquake victims while World Missions began planting churches. In 1984 CRCNA missionaries were forced to leave because of civil war. The fledgling CRC of Nicaragua survived with periodic visits from CRC missionaries from neighboring countries. In 1995 World Missions resumed a missionary presence in Nicaragua.
Culture
Nicaragua, about the size of Iowa, is the largest republic in Central America. Most Nicaraguans descend from a mix of European and Native American ancestry. Spanish is the official language of the country, although many speak English along the Caribbean coast.
Nicaragua experienced almost continuous civil war between 1970 and 1990, dividing politicians, families, and churches. The peace which came with the 1990 elections has been, and remains, fragile. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in all of Latin America, followed only by Haiti. Forty-four percent of all Nicaraguans live on a dollar or less per day.
About 80 percent of the population of 4.5 million is Roman Catholic. The other 20 percent is evangelical.
Mission Vision
The majority of Protestant churches in Nicaragua are Pentecostal. Many have had an escapist conception of the Christian life. World Missions is encouraging the development of a vibrant, growing CRC of Nicaragua. World Missions is also cooperating with other Christians to cultivate an integral biblical world and life view and the development of Christian schools.
Results
The CRC of Nicaragua has built over 70 houses for victims of Hurricane Mitch and has started two new churches in the communities where the houses were built. The Nehemiah Center, a joint ministry of World Missions, CRWRC, and Food for the Hungry, is reaching the Protestant churches with training in a biblical world and life view, integral church growth, Christian school development and church-based community development.
Recently, one congregation has been organized, an evangelism and discipleship program has begun in all the churches, and a national youth program was started. In addition, volunteers from World Missions have been active in teaching at Nicaraguan Christian Academy.
Support
The most important gift you can give missionaries is a daily prayer for their lives and work. At any given time Christian Reformed World Missions supports about 300 long-term and short-term missionaries and about 200 missionary children located in over 30 countries around the world. These people have been called, commissioned, and sent by Christian Reformed churches to represent our devotion to Jesus Christ, and to urge others to accept His offer of salvation.
Here’s a partial list of items to pray for on behalf of missionaries:
- emotional needs
- physical needs
- relationships with other missionaries
- relationships with nationals
- relationship with God
- effective ministry
- family life
Financial support is also crucial for the ongoing work of bringing the Good News around the world. Support can be given for specific missionaries, or specific projects can be found in the “Project Giving Guide&rdqou; at your church or available from the World Missions offices in either the United States or Canada.
The Christian Reformed World Missions Team in Nicaragua:
Michelle Adams, Partner Teacher, Buen Samaritano
Aimee Bootsma, Partner Teacher, NCA Aimee's Blog
Patricia Bouma, Partner Teacher, NCA
Joel Dozeman, Partner/Volunteer Teacher, NCA
Steven and Kimberley Holtrop (Alia, Nathan, Elise), Ministry Specialist
Joel and Jeannie Huyser (Micah), Field Leader/Leadership Training
Kate Poortenga, Partner Teacher, NCA
Liam and Jessica Starkenburg, Partner Director/Teacher, NCA
David Stienstra, Nehemiah Center
Alicia Hamming, Nehemiah Center
Joni Hubers, Partner, NCA
Jon Van Hemert, Partner Teacher, NCA
Dan & Lisa VanZoest, Partner Teacher, NCA
Kevin & April Voorberg, Volunteers, NCA - Voorberg Blog
More Resources:
Videos
Video After the Storm (12 min.)
Video and DVD-2004 Rebuilding the Walls: The Nehemiah Center of Nicaragua (11 min./4 min.)