The Start of New Song "Mission Nicaragua"

Nicaragua is a poverty stricken country plagued by a history of war and natural disasters. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch devastated the lives of the people who live near the city of Leon. One million refugees were left homeless and virtually unemployed. Since that time, much relief work has been done, but many people, especially those in the rural villages and inner cities remain destitute materially.

In January of 2002, Pastor Tom Gable of New Song Church of Asheville, visited this area in Nicaragua with a local mission group. His heart was touched and charmed by the faith, friendliness, and joy of the Nicaraguan people. A native pastor, Jose Matamoris, asked Tom for help in starting a new church in the village of Candelaria. Tom, his wife Linda and some friends eagerly took on this exciting project and began sending teams to help with the many needs of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd Church.

Thus, "Mission Nicaragua" was born!

God called this mission forth and He sustains it. No one set out to start a mission in Nicaragua; each one who has responded to God's call started out with the idea of making one short term mission trip! All of us are weak and inexperienced vessels, broken and poured out for the people of Nicaragua. God is leading and providing and doing the work, because in ourselves we are nothing and have nothing to offer. We are constantly amazed at how God sends funds by touching the hearts of individual people and churches to partner with us financially. We give all the credit to Him.