January 5 was an important day for the Church of the Nazarene in Nicaragua. Leaders and friends gathered to officially reopen the Nazarene Bible Institute as a satellite campus of the Guatemala Nazarene Theological Seminary. The inaugural class begins with 8 students – 7 residential students and one commuter.
The purpose of the Institute is to holistically form those called by God to pastoral ministry, and also to provide continuing education to the pastors of all four Nicaraguan districts.
The inauguration began with a service of thanksgiving and dedication. The four district superintendents attended along with pastors, district leaders, entering students and members of the Church of the Nazarene in Nicaragua.
Field, regional and global leaders also attended the event. Among them were Rev. Ulises Solís, the rector of the Guatemala Nazarene Theological Seminary; Dr. Roberto Hodgson who served as a consultant on the project; and Global Work and Witness Coordinator Stephen Sickel.
Sickel, along with North Central Field Work and Witness Coordinator Roger Kellogg, met with the Nicaragua Bible Institute leadership team to plan how Work and Witness teams can join in the effort to improve the infrastructure so more students can be prepared for effective ministry.
Source: Rev. Denis Espinoza, Nicaragua North District Superintendent
