Nicaragua Resource Network History

Many people have asked how this all began... we believe it was God who planted the idea in our hearts back in 1988. That was the first year a group of men and women from Northview Christian Life Church of Carmel, Indiana went to Nicaragua. With only the most basic tools, this little group rebuilt a church that had been destroyed during the Sandanista/Contra civil war in Nicaragua.

The idea was to commit to long-term, in-depth involvement in Nicaragua, building a bridge of resources and relationships between Nicaragua and the United States. A separate, not-for-profit entity known as the Nicaragua Resource Network (NRN) was established in 1996 by the Northview Mission Committee to serve as a channel for resources to aid impoverished children and families in Nicaragua.

Given the scope of possibilities and the tremendous number of needs and opportunities in Nicaragua, it became imperative to make some choices and to focus our efforts there. After much prayer and consideration, NRN partnered with three pastors and their ministries in Nicaragua – Oscar Cruz, Belcer Gonzales and Ramiro Blandon.

All three of these pastors are men of vision and men of integrity, committed to serving the children and families in their respective communities. Their commitments go beyond meeting the spiritual needs of the people, addressing basic needs for adequate food, clothing, shelter, education and employment.

Through NRN, we have been able to involve many individuals, groups, businesses and churches, working together to meet the identified needs and realize the ministry goals that these three pastors have set forth in their respective communities. This includes: the establishment of several Christian primary and secondary schools; a school sponsorship program through which over 1,200 children and young people are currently enabled to attend school and college; the expansion of the children's home, Hogar de Fe; and the building of homes for families in need of shelter.

The Board of NRN oversees all of the commitments, activities and expenditures of this organization. A number of churches are represented on the NRN board. Each individual serving on the Board has been called by God to be part of the work and ministry in Nicaragua.

NRN is a completely voluntary, non-profit organization; there are no paid staff positions and 100% of all funds contributed to NRN go directly to the work in Nicaragua.

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