People You Should Know: Our Pastors

    I want to start a new series of blog posts introducing some of the incredible people here in Chichigalpa that I think you should have the pleasure of knowing. For this first installment, I want to introduce the four amazing men of God who are our pastors at New Song. Each man is so different, but each reflects the heart of God so well. 

    Pastor Walther and his wife Claudia (pictured right) lead our church plant in Santa Matilde. Above everything else, they are loving parents. Walther has such an anointing of a father's heart. He and Claudia nurture and train their church as a dad and mom. He leads with such gentleness and love. He and Claudia carry joy and kindness. However, like any good dad, Walther disciplines and trains those in his community in the way they should walk both as children of God and as leaders of their families. I am learning so much as I serve alongside them in Santa Matilde about how to love entire families well.  Walther is a gentle warrior in Santa Matilde loving a community to wholeness. 

    Pastor Alex co-leads the Sunday school program in Candelaria with me, teaches adult Bible study and is stepping into a main leadership position in our hub church in Candelaria (pictured left with the Sunday school teachers). Above all else, he is a teacher and mentor. Alex has an incredible gift for breaking down the Word of God and teaching it to people on their level. He is mentor who counsels, calls forth, and empowers people. I love working alongside him with our teenage Sunday school teachers. I have see them grow so much under his leadership. He has a beautiful way of calling them out when they need it, calling them to walk in their full potential, and walking beside them. He supports them and pushes them beyond their comfort zones. He is raising up a generation of Christ followers.  

    Pastor Bismark leads our church plant in Nuevo Amanecer (pictured right leading a home group). Above all, he is a prayer warrior and a fire breather. When Bismark speaks, the fire of the Spirit falls. I love to be present when Bismark begins to pray powerfully over the people in his community. It is beautiful. He prays with fervor for the sick and for revival in the church in Nicaragua. He is powerful in the Kingdom. Bismark speaks with authority and truth. He has a heart for evangelism and church building. He works in a difficult community laden with gang activity. He is a fierce prayer warrior. His heart has been completely changed by an understanding of God's grace. He is liberating a community through the gospel of Jesus. 

   Pastor Pablo leads our church plant in La Isla. Above all, Pablo is a caregiver and a family man (pictured left with his family). He and his wife, Martha, are wonderful caretakers. They have adopted two of their nieces. Both girls have passed through medical issues with their hearts that have required times of constant care. This family cares for one another with such beautiful constancy and joy. They are an example of God's love that adopts us into His family. Their love reflects the love of the Father to us, His children. 

    These four pastors are amazing men of God who reflect Christ's heart, are raising up their communities, and transforming a nation. We are so blessed to serve alongside them.