SOC Director for
Nicaragua

Dr. Marion Dodson

Richard Goebel

Nicaragua Index
Cent. America Index
World Index

Nicaragua Convention

by Richard Goebel   SOC Field Worker

For five days in April, the people of God gathered in Nicaragua for a time of prayer, preaching and fellowship.

In attendance were Pastors, ministers, former SOC graduates and churches that have been affected by the message of the School of Christ. It was our desire to encourage and edify these wonderful saints of God to "endure to the end" and to flee the "many false prophets that shall deceive many." In a day when we see the love of many waxing cold, it was heartwarming to see brethren who so openly loved the Lord and who had obviously come for the sole purpose of receiving what God had for them. From 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon (with time taken for lunch), the brethren worshiped, sung and received the Word of God. Then another preaching service was held in the evening.

Although hot during the day, the people continued to give ear to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. There were as many as 5 to 6 preaching services a day. The people were hungry and gladly received the Word of God. As the Word came forth, it was a great blessing to see the people humbly allowing God to touch their hearts. It was evident that these pastors are continuing on in the true teachings of the Word of God. As we beheld the genuine love of God in the lives of the people, we were reminded of the words of our Savior that we would be known by the love we have one toward another.

Services were held first in the town of Jalapa in the North. After landing in Managua, we began a five hour journey through the mountainous regions of the north. We went directly to the first service, and arrived to find the brethren rejoicing in the Lord and ready to receive Dr. Marion Dodson, Pastor Delvis Mercado, Bro. Richard Goebel and others; who had come to preach the Word of God. The Pastors shared with us, that they had been fasting and praying that these services would not be just another series of meetings, but they had prayed that God would come and touch them, so that by His Spirit they would see a revival break out in the area of Jalapa.

I believe that prayer was answered, and the people were challenged to live for God and take up their cross and follow Christ. As we left, many pastors shared how they had been changed; and that they were trusting in God for revival. Certainly, we had met true people of God in this remote area. They were a simple, loving and genuine people, and you could see Christ manifested in their faces.

From Jalapa, we drove about five hours back to the south to the town of Tipitapa; where Pastor Mercado's home fellowship had prepared for the meetings. Joining us for these days of convention were pastors from El Salvador, Honduras, Columbia, Guatemala and Panama.

These wonderful brethren gathered to worship and hear the Word of God. And just as in Jalapa, the people listened extremely intently hour after hour as the Word of God was preached. God graciously blessed us with Pastor Harry Rios who was a tremendous interpreter. We prayed for him each day, as he translated 4 or 5 times each day. Through this gifted brother, the people were able to receive many blessings.

During this time, we also met with the leaders of the different countries. We prayed and asked God for direction in reaching this part of the world with the Gospel. When we heard them speak of what God is doing in their counties, we remembered that Jesus told John to rejoice for the poor have the Gospel preached unto them. These brethren would be considered poor by the world, but I assure you, these are the great unknown men of God that have been called to reach the unreached. It was truly an honor to spend time with them and to plan how we can help them reach their own countrymen.

In the coming months, God helping us, we will hold schools in every one of these countries. We earnestly desire the prayers of God's people for direction and wisdom in how to reach such a vast number of people in very remote areas of these countries. We continue to see God open the doors for us to preach His Gospel of good news. Please pray for us, that His word might have free course.

In Christ,
Richard Goebel