Nicaragua

The Convention Association of Christian Mission Churches of Nicaragua is the  denominational structure of Protestant, Pentecostal churches in Nicaragua, whose mission is to respond to God's call to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ through religious, social, and cultural means that promote the intellectual, moral, spiritual, economic, and cultural development of humankind.  The Christian Mission Church functions in both rural and urban areas, addressing the religious, social, and cultural needs of its people through the emphasis of knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ and a personal experience with God that moves to a life of practical witness.  The Christian Mission Church strives to generate and execute programs that will bring sustainable development, address emergencies, promote unity, equality and justice, while seeking to continuously improve the economic level of its members and communities.

Under the leadership of Reverend Marcelino Dávila Castillo, the Christian Mission Church was organized in the early 1970's, and its efforts were in the form of humanitarian, spiritual and social services to hospitals and penal institutions.  The Convention officially chartered as an association of churches in October 1983 under the signature of twelve congregations.  Together the churches began to bring the Gospel to all communities, built houses of worship, and established social service programs to help turn around the dire economic and social condition of post-war Nicaragua.  Through social and educational programs, the Christian Mission Church's vision is to be a church with "a holistic vision of human needs in order to holistically develop families and communities of practical witness of sustainable development that improves the quality of their life."

Today the Christian Mission Church has 27 congregations in 16 regions of Nicaragua.  Under the leadership of Reverend José Raúl Dávila, current President of the Convention Association, its ministry reaches 11.7 percent of the country and is actively involved in urban and rural areas of the country establishing a database of actual membership, families served, and communities served.  Given the migratory characteristic of much of the country caused by remnants of a survival syndrome, economic necessity, and other reasons, many of the families benefiting from the ministry of Christian Mission do not necessarily receive services in the communities where they reside.  Many churches' ministries reach families that reside outside the church community itself.  The database also will provide information on the characteristics and needs of each community and will provide the foundational basis for future projects and programs. 

Currently under development is the Waslala Cattle Farm.  This cattle farm seeks to provide the breeding of genetically improved cows and goats for sale and consumption, improving the economic and nutritional conditions of Waslala.  Located eight hours north of Nicaragua's capital city, Managua, Waslala is one of the most poverty-stricken regions of the country, where illiteracy and a critical lack of education exist.  Primary schools are available in Waslala, but 48 percent of the population is illiterate and 65 percent of the children do not attend school. Children must provide their own notebooks, pencils, and other school supplies which many families cannot afford. Additionally, children often work on the family farm harvesting crops such as corn and coffee to help support the family.

In addition to cattle, the farm also will have crops of feeding grasses and sugar cane.  The farm will be a working farm for the community, but will also serve a dual role as a place where individuals and groups can visit for informational purposes as well as an educational center for those who wish to embark in cattle and agricultural farming.  It is hoped that opening the farm to visitors will bring in additional income for its support.

The Christian Mission Church also is building its educational ministry.  In addition to the building of worship centers that will serve as educational facilities, it seeks to construct educational centers that will provide theological and leadership training, basic schools, and health clinics that will teach as well as provide basic health services.  An example of such a center is Enmanuel Training and Educational Center in Ticuantepe, a water-rich agricultural region near Managua known for its pineapples.  The Center currently is a two-story structure with classrooms, sleeping rooms, and activity center.  Approximately 3,000 persons of all ages have received training and held camps at this center and the numbers expect to grow with the expansion of badly needed restroom facilities on the second floor and a new septic system.

Below is a list of special ways in which you can help the Christian Mission Church of Nicaragua:

• $25.00 will provide school supplies for one year for one child
• $50.00 will provide educational supplies for one age group of children's summer camp
• $100.00 will buy cow feed for one month
• $200.00 will buy promotional materials for Waslala Cattle Farm
• $500.00 will help build a storage room for Enmanuel Training and Educational Center
• $750 will buy posts and wire for cattle enclosures on Waslala Farm property
• $1,000 will buy seed for two city block areas of feed grass or two city block areas of sugar cane
• $2,000.00 will build a mid-size corral for cattle
• $5,000.00 will provide a septic tank for the Enmanual Training and Educational Center