The Missionary Groups in Nicaragua - Research Paper Example

Lecturer Missions to Nicaragua Different mission groups in Nicaragua started their missions in order to reach to residents of this country in all areas. The objectives of the mission groups were to promote growth in this country, reinforce ecumenical relationships, supporting social changes and helping the individuals who have been left out from the socio economic structures (Lubensky, 1999). The missionaries spread in all areas of Nicaragua whereby they conducted their missions and spread the gospel which assisted them greatly in achieving their goals. Through creation of different programs, the missionary groups in Nicaragua were in a position to change the life of the community in the country (Serafino, 2013). Solving the problems faced by the people of Nicaragua as well as improving their life was the main aim of the mission groups. One of the mission groups is a BIMI mission group. The BIMI for Nicaragua is a Baptist international mission group that started its mission work in 1962. The mission group was started by Bob and Sabina Dayton. The main aim of BIMI mission group is to bring together and support missionaries and mission projects that were still going on in Nicaragua (BIMI, 2003). The group supported different mission groups in order for them to be in a position to serve better the people of Nicaragua. Another mission group is Nicaragua mission project which is a Christian movement mission that started in 1960s as a ministry to prisoners. The mission started with the name “the Christian mission in the jails”, and their founders were Rev Marceline Davila Castillo, a pastor in assemblies of God and Antonio Martinez who belonged to church of Nazarene. The group’s objective is to solve the problems faced by residents of this country by improving their life (Lubensky, 1999). The mission group goals were to build churches in order to spread the gospel and reach to people in all areas in that country. The group aimed at reinforcing ecumenical associations as well as promoting growth of churches as well as their communities. The group is a combination of various organizations such as CEPAD (Evangelical council of Nicaragua), Latin American council of churches, Disciples of Christ, united church of Christ and Christian Pentecostal church of Cuba. It has partnered with worldwide ministries for many years. The mission group started their mission by building churches, building bible schools for the people of Nicaragua and creating children’s programs (Baptist International Missions Inco, 2003). In its mission work, the missionary group has been spreading its vision through supporting various Christian organizations at the national level. By doing so, the mission group has been in a position to reach many residents of Nicaragua who are in need. The mission group built their financial and prayer support structures through donations from their members as well as from the missionaries. The mission group made their first move towards their target in 1959 in Acahualinca in the neighborhood of Managua where they built their first church. The group was assisted by Pentecostal movement of Latin America in which they are part of (Serafino, 2013). The mission group has been successful in its work. They have been in the first line in encouraging as well as supporting social changes, embodying the gospel for the most susceptible divisions of the community. The most vulnerable sectors that the mission group concentrated on is the poor, women, the sick, children as well as the individuals’ left out from the socio-economic structures. The group has promoted social justice in the society in which it serves. In addition, the group is undertaking various educational as well as growth projects that serve its associate churches and their society. The mission groups have stuck to their original vision of serving the populace of Nicaraguans. This has been proved by the number of churches that the mission groups have built, the number of educational project that has been of great help to the youth of Nicaragua. They have also raised the living standard of the poor. Majority of Nicaraguans were technically Roman Catholic. Roman Catholicism reached to Nicaragua in the sixteenth century with the Spanish take-over and stay put. By this time, many individuals had slight contact with their church. The position of Roman Catholic was seriously challenged when the anticlerical general José Santos Zelaya came to power, though it has retained its uniqueness in Nicaraguan community. Religious beliefs as well as the practices of the masses as per the procedure of Roman Catholic were performed. Prayers were fixed to a significant saint requesting for some help such as curing of diseases, in substitute for ceremony payment such as carrying a cross in a yearly demonstration. Images of saints known as cuadros are normally displayed in most of the homes in Nicaraguan. A cuadro turns to be the showpiece of a little home place of worship that was set in a corner or on a table as well as encircled with flowers, candles or other type of decorations (Serafino, 2013). The relationship between the Roman Catholic faithful and the rest of the country by then was intact and this led to it being accorded privileged legal position in the country because of its political stand. The church supported the regime of Sadinista, where they were given different positions. Nicaraguans people are keen on their heritage and cultures. They practice their culture through their dance and music. There are different types of music that Nicaraguan practices which includes pacific. The traditional dance by women explains the hard work of Nicaraguans women. This is demonstrated by how the young women dressed in long white embroidered dresses with red ribbons dancing at the rhythm of marimba. They also carry on their heads baskets of fruits. Pacific is a combination of the indigenous as well as Spanish culture. Others types of cultures in Nicaragua are Masaya, north central and Caribbean (Nicaragua Tourism Board, 2013). The relationship between the citizens of Nicaragua is normal and this was developed by coming of missionaries from different countries. On the other hand, the relationship of different people in the country has also been developed by the booming tourism in the country. 98% of Nicaraguans speaks Spanish, Miskito as well as other indigenous languages are spoken on the Atlantic coast. English is second most spoken language in Nicaragua which facilitated the work of missionaries since no language barrier existed (Nicaragua Tourism Board, 2013). The background of most of the Latin American countries is Roman Catholic. The Roman Catholic has at sometimes been hostile to the new missions. For instance, 1970s and 1980s were years of great religious tumult frequently tied with political divergence. Latin American Catholicism supported by the spirit of moderate reformation positioned down activist who attempted to make the Roman Catholic Church more democratic than the Pentecostal churches that came in the country of Nicaragua through missionaries. Anastasio Somoza was the president of Nicaragua from 1937 until the time he was assassinated. He began a dynasty that completely retained absolute control over Nicaragua. He was voted out of the office in 1947, but he stayed in power as the commander in chief of that country and faced no opposition since he made a deal with the conservatives and he gained a lot of wealth. He was short in 1956 and his son Luis Somoza Debayle took over. Most of the priests of Roman Catholic opposed to the regime of Anastasio Samoza and the links were developed with Sandinista national liberation and in late 1970s they were given position in the government of Sandinista. Sometimes the Roman Catholic became neutral and sympathetic with the protestant churches. For instance, Roman Catholic joined together with protestant churches and made great transformation not only in religious but also in politics. They determined the rulings of the country since then. The Roman Catholic Church also welcomed the move by the protestant churches to form missions to assist the disadvantaged populace of Nicaragua country. The protestant denominations in the nation of Nicaragua grew conspicuously in a very high rate (Lubensky, 1999). Roman Catholic dominated Nicaragua state in early 1990s. Different mission groups entered in the state in early 1980s and started their mission of assisting the disadvantaged people in the state. The Roman Catholic in the state became hostile at some times and became neutral and sympathetic at other times. The regions of Nicaragua have their own diverse music and dance, but always come together to engage completely making this one cultural identity. Nicaraguans used to practice Caribbean culture. Merging of diverse cultures in Nicaragua has brought a new dawn of creativity, lively as well as enjoyable culture. The religion plays a big significant function in Nicaraguan culture. Religion freedom in Nicaragua is supported both by government and the constitution. Despite the effort that the government has made to support religion and culture, much is still needed. Most of the people in Nicaragua are still living in poverty. The government should strongly come up and join the missionaries in order to improve the life of Nicaraguans. There is also a need for the government to eliminate the vices that are often witnessed, in order for the country to develop. The missionaries entered to Nicaragua with an aim of helping the poor Nicaraguans who were in most cases left out in terms of socio economic development. BIMI mission group did a lot in Nicaragua. They built churches, promoted social justice, created programs for children and built different institutions. Roman Catholic was the main church in Nicaragua before the arrival of missionaries who introduced Pentecostal church. Anastasio Somoza became the president of Nicaragua early 1937 but was assassinated in 1956. Later, Roman Catholic joined together with protestant churches in order to vote in the new regime of Sadinista. Since then, the relationship between roman catholic and Pentecostal churches remains intact. References Tourism Board of Nicaragua. (2013, March Monday). Retrieved from http://visitnicaragua.us/about-nicaragua/culture/ Baptist International Missions Inco. (2003, March Monday). BIMI. ORG. Retrieved from http://www.bimi.org/countries/nicaraguaMissions.php Lubensky, E. (1999). Nicaraguas Religious History: The Catholics and the Newcomers, the Evangelical Christians. New York: ethics of development in a global environment. Serafino, N. (2013, March Monday). Mongabay.com. Retrieved from http://www.mongabay.com/history/nicaragua/nicaragua-religion.html Read More