The Gospel that Changes Everything: A Story from Nicaragua

By LARRY BARKER
BMA Global Interim Regional Coordinator for Europe

The redeemed Herman González

​Around the world Christians often say, “the gospel changes everything”. For some, that phrase represents a belief. For others, it is an observable reality, especially in places where hearts and communities have been transformed in ways no one expected. In Nicaragua, Oscar and Tamy Gaitán have devoted their lives to sharing that message. As ChangeMakers, they have seen firsthand what happens when the good news of Jesus takes root.
 
Perhaps the most striking picture of transformation in their ministry is found in the story of Herman González, a man whose name once inspired fear across the region. Herman lived in a village called El Griego. Everyone knew to avoid him…especially when he had been drinking. He was violent, unpredictable, and territorial. “People said he had killed at least seven men with a machete,” Tamy recalled. “No one went onto his land. No one visited without an invitation and most people didn’t want one.”
 
One day, to everyone’s surprise, the local pastor of a nearby BMA church received a message: Herman wanted to talk. Fearing what might happen, the pastor asked the church to pray. He also asked another pastor to accompany him. Together, and with great caution, they climbed the hill to Herman’s house. When they arrived, Herman said, “I want you to share what you’ve been preaching.” So they did. They shared the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
“I want to know more,” Herman said. “Come back later.” They did. Week after week, they returned, sharing scripture with the man many believed was beyond hope. And then, one day, Herman surrendered his life to Jesus. What happened next astonished the community. The man once feared for his violence became a man marked by peace. The man known for keeping everyone away opened his home to worship. The land others would not step foot on became a gathering place for believers.
 
A church began meeting in Herman’s house, then later built a small church building that stands to this day. “The gospel changed everything for him and his family,” Tamy said, “that’s how the gospel can change a man’s life”. Stories like Herman’s are not stories of human improvement…they are stories of transformation through Christ. They are also a reminder that the mission of God is still active, still advancing and still changing lives through people willing to go, preach and disciple.
 
On Feb. 22, churches across the BMA family will participate in World Missions Day, a day dedicated to praying for the nations and supporting missionaries and national leaders like Oscar and Tamy as they carry the gospel into new places. Every church that participates helps fuel ministry among families, college students, unreached communities, rural villages and people like Herman, people whose stories testify that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. As World Missions Day approaches, readers are invited to pray for missionaries, consider how their church might get involved and remember that the same message that transformed a feared man in Nicaragua is the same message that continues to transform lives around the world today. Because truly, the gospel changes everything. 

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