And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

Paul is writing Timothy to give him encouragement and direction in dealing with the problem in Ephesus. He was to find faithful men, committed men, sober men, who were able to teach and pour his knowledge into them. This would be the way to get the church at Ephesus back on course.  To confront the false teaching that was coming into the church and provide mature leadership.

In both books, Timothy and Titus a description of what a leader should be is given, the one skill that was required of church leaders was to be a well-grounded teacher of the Word and doctrine.

When we first came to Nicaragua, we were directed to go through the course for missionaries called ‘Perspectives.’  The clear message from the course was that our focus should be to train up leaders from within the culture and for them to then go out and reach the people.

About a year after we moved to Masatepe, where we currently live, I was approached by Pastor Ruiz who is the director of a seminary, Christian school and church. He offered me the wonderful opportunity to teach at the seminary.  This provided the chance to do what I believe we have been called to do, and that is raise-up leaders who are grounded in the Word and doctrine. I love this work!

In our November 2022 newsletter, Natalie did a write-up on Pastor Ruiz. In interviewing him, he stated that “There is an ignorance of Biblical theology in the community and it continues to persist.” As the founder, pastor and director of these programs for over the last 17 years, he speaks from first-hand experience.

There is a great need for investing in students, both young and old!  These are the future leaders and pastors of the local churches.

The last four years have been difficult for the seminary and the Christian school. Attendance has been down due to the civil unrest in 2018, Covid issues in 2020-2022, and now with ever-increasing inflation has made it has been difficult for students to pay for school. The shutdowns during the situations above and the cost of inflation have greatly impacted attendance. (The students and seminarians pay approximately $20 a month, which has not increased, but the cost of living has greatly increased.)

So here is the reason I am writing-what is being taught inside is changing people, but outside the condition of the buildings are very poor.  The seminary students and the grade school students use classrooms with only three walls, no fans, limited lighting and a tin roof. When it rains, the students get wet and cannot hear over the rain hitting the metal roof.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we do judge a book by its cover.  The school appears poor and broken down, which in a culture that values presentation, does not produce any confidence in the school. The goal is to help the outside match up with the quality of the inside, and hopefully attract more people to the programs.

Normally I do not make request within my blogs, however, if this seminary and school is going to remain open and effective, we need to make some improvements to the facility.

This month, we are starting a fund-raising campaign to raise $15,000 to enclose the rooms, put in better lighting and as funds allow; fans, purchase adult chairs, replace the old broken whiteboards, and do some form of drop ceiling to lessen the effect of rain on the tin roof.

Please be praying about how you can help with this much needed project.

To give to this project, please follow this link: https://allegrosolutions.org/donate/NResponse2003

For His glory,

Stephen Goff
Stephen.Goff@N-Response2.com
www.N-Response2.com
www.n-response2.com/give/support-for-goffs (for our monthly support)
www.n-response2.com/give/to-give-relief-aid-to-nicaragua (for specific people, projects, and general relief aid)
My Blog Page: Nicamoments