Church planting in Nicaragua

Just another day in Nicaragua:)...a view of beautiful Apoyo Lagoon in Catarina

Hi Everybody!

Evangelism Workshop in Nicaragua in February

Sorry to get behind on our updates.  We thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement.  March brought many blessings including David's 47th birthday (where does the time go?).   There are many demonstrations of God's faithfulness in Shelley's work here at the seminary and David's travels.  We just finished working with a great team from West Virginia that just returned home this past Friday.  We will share more on their adventures in our next blog. 

Preparing for the outside service in the central park of Tonala

We decided to update you a little on David's work in this blog.  In January, February and March, David has traveled inside Costa Rica as well as to the countries of Panama and Nicaragua to do trainings in evangelism as well as meetings with missional zone church planters in these three countries.  David is working with 9 missional zone projects currently with the hopes of seeing 4 new projects in Nicaragua soon. 

Missional Zone Planter Arlen with Pastor Paulino and Church planter Luis

A missional zone is a project where a district has very few churches and we are trying to encourage a new commitment to church planting and intentional discipleship in these areas.  God is touching and moving in communities through this vision.  One of these new missional zone areas is in Northwest Nicaragua in the departments (or what we would call states in the US) of León and Chinandega.  We have seen God move in a mighty way in this vision.  In July 2010, this zone had 7 churches but since this time, 8 new cell groups or missions have been planted.  Three of these new missions have between 40 and 50 people in attendance.  The missional zone planter is a dynamic young lady by the name of Arlen.  

The arrival of children from the mother church

David worked with the 3 missional zone planters in Nicaragua the end of February and was able to visit this missional zone of León-Chinandega the same week.  One of the highlights was visiting a new mission in Tonala Chinandega.  The leader, Brother Luis, travels 1 hour each way four times a week to meet with people in this community. 

The Children's event

David attended an outside evangelistic service in Tonala.  It was a great blessing to see the support of the mother church as they brought 3 trucks full of members to help support the event this evening.  There was also an event for the children which the district superintendent Hna Antonia directed.  We praise God as 11 decisions for Jesus Christ were made this evening.  Please pray for new works like this one in Tonala.  The church planters are working hard with limited resources.  Many times brother Luis stays with families in the community until he can find someone he can ride with to return home.  However, his love for the Lord and for this community shines through in all that he does.