Not-So-Short-Term Missions!

Construction in Telica, Nicaragua

by Robert C. Krestick

Rev. Robert Krestick

Every once in a while, I encounter a person or even a brother in the Holy ministry who thinks that Team Zion’s yearly mission trips to Leon and surrounding areas in Nicaragua are not “real” mission trips because they are labeled by some as “short term.” I am absolutely certain that our relationships with the people there are not short term. Please allow me to explain with a little bit of a history.

Mission Sunday… 2009

Redeemer Lutheran Church (Waterloo, ON) was visited by Rev. Maximo Urroz via Skype on Mission Sunday of 2009. In those days, under Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s auspices, Redeemer was participating in the partner-to-partner programme. Rev. Urroz was serving as missionary-at-large for LCC’s Nicaragua missions. The congregation was seeing the partner they were sponsoring in real time. It was a glorious day!

Before we said goodbye and God bless on our call, I asked brother Urroz what else our congregation could do to aid in his ministry. Rev. Urroz said, “Come to us!” Thus began an ongoing, sustainable mission relationship with many souls, not only in and around Leon, but throughout the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN).

New Year’s Day… 2010

A team of 12 faithful members from Redeemer Lutheran Church arrived in Managua late on New Year’s Day of 2010. Later that week, on the outskirts of the city of Telica, just north of León, a Vacation Bible School began under a tree. Seemingly out of nowhere, 200 Niños (children) appeared. In addition, a few hundred attended at the very rudimentary worship facilities of Marañonal and la Cartonara.

Gathering for Bible Study

New Beginnings… 2012 & 2013

The team took a rest in 2011 as heads were still spinning after seeing with our own eyes what the Lord was doing in the hearts of our new brothers and sisters. At the urging of LCC and Rev. Urroz, we returned in 2012. It was during that trip that we were shown some land that Rev. Urroz thought would be fitting for a church to be erected. The first Sunday after the team’s return to Canada, the cost of the property was donated. By the next trip in January of 2013, work began on what would become Redeemer/St. Paul Lutheran Church in Telica, Nicaragua.

Over the years, a strong on-going relationship with the faithful in and around León has developed into one cohesive team. That is our NICA bothers and sisters and all the members of team Zion from LCC congregations across Canada.

Since its inception, team Zion has carved out time to prepare with monthly meetings all year – beginning immediately after we return in February. Communication with our fellow workers is sustained throughout the year in-person and with the blessings of technology. The Lord has blessed this outreach, and a Parsonage has been built on the property where another church (Our Saviour Lutheran Church, León) will be constructed. Again, paid for by faithful members of our Synod and current, past, present and future members of Team Zion.

Construction of parsonage in Leon, Nicaragua

Parsonage in Leon, Nicaragua

Continuing Our Work Together

The congregation at Redeemer/St. Paul Lutheran Church in Telica is viable and thriving, while the congregation of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in León is meeting each week in different locations as they await the construction of their own church home.

Our team leader, Lisa Jackson, reports on the ongoing Team Zion ministry (Consistent and alive since 2009!):

 “I think it’s safe to say that the January 2020 mission [prior to the necessary restrictions later put in place as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic] was a success by the Grace of God! Over 900 children attended VBS at the 6 locations and more than 300 adults attended the 6 different bible studies. There were 355 food hampers distributed to families and so much progress made on the parsonage that the project finished a month early, allowing Pastor Urroz and family to move in.

In addition to our team of 29 from across Canada, there were 8 Pastors, 7 Deaconesses, 3 church volunteers, 2 music leaders, 12 translators, 3 drivers and several community helpers that worked with us, all who expressed gratitude and joy at being part of spreading the Word. The benefit of the ongoing mission trip visits also helps inject much needed income into the lives of not just those who receive stipends but also the businesses and service people that make our lives comfortable during our trip.”

We are in the process of preparing for 2021 albeit things will be different since we have had to concede that we won’t be travelling to Nicaragua in-person. We are excited at our continuing relationship and active ministry and so have continued meeting and preparing to serve the people of Nicaragua remotely from Canada. You too can join us. All it takes is your time and cash. The heavenly Father has already supplied that and I can tell you that His Holy Spirit will be with you to supply all else you need when you work together with the dear ones in Nicaragua.

Rejoicing in His days,

Robert C. Krestick, Pastor Emeritus

———————

Rev. Robert C. Krestick is chairman of the Board of Regents for Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catherines. He is also the Pastor Emeritus of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Ontario. He has been serving as vacancy pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burlington, Ontario, for almost two years and is currently the vicarage supervisor for David Zakel at Prince of Peace.

Print this article