Our Background

The Nicaraguan mission began in 1997 after Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) received an invitation to share the gospel in this Central American nation. The first missionary was Rev. Sandor Arguello, a Nicaraguan refugee who came to Canada during the civil war and became a Lutheran pastor, graduating from Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Although Rev. Arguello had difficulty drawing people to Bible studies in his first few months, after Hurricane Mitch devastated the countryside in 1998 the small mission church was one of the first to respond to people in need by providing food, water, medical supplies and comfort. As a result, the people blessed with this care desired to learn more about Lutheranism, which gave Rev. Arguello the opportunity to engage with the people and share the purity of the Gospel with them. Through this proclamation of the Word of Christ several people were gathered into the church and the Lutheran Church in Nicaragua soon spread to other parts of the country.

As this young church grew, LCC established a seminary and mission centre in Chinandega to provide theological education to new pastors, missionaries and deaconesses. The first class of 13 pastors, two deacons and 17 deaconesses graduated in 2002.

By January 2008, the mission became an independent Lutheran Church body, forming the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN). LCC continues to assist her daughter church in Nicaragua by providing theological education to pastors and deaconesses and overseeing the seminary in Chinandega; supporting the Children’s Feeding and Christian Education programs, and other works of mercy throughout the country; as well assisting ILSN with outreach and mission activities.

Ways You Can Support LCC Missions

• Pray for us | Remember the people of the Synod of the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN) in your prayers.
• Spread the word | Tell someone about our Nicaragua Missions or any of LCC’s Domestic and International Mission Sites.
• Send financial Support | You can support LCC Missions financially via the button below.

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