As a result of Bishop Nicholson’s 4th trip to Honduras on November 13 -22, 2019 followed by a brief trip to Oregon and Washington State November 23-25, the United Alaska (International) Moravian Ministry group continues to grow and strengthen. During Bishop Nicholson visit to La Ceiba under The Rev. Isai Granwell’s supervision, he was able to meet with key church pastors and elders to assure that UAMM’s positive influences are felt to not only plant churches and fellowships, but nurture them. The following is just a partial report into accomplishments and needs identified to further help expand Christ’s Kingdom in Central America.
In order to assist these churches through prayer and giving, UAMM supporters on the behalf of Christ Jesus are encouraged to donate needed dollars to purchase land, build churches, help provide assistance to pastors for food, to purchase musicale equipment, chairs, and assure that travel dollars are there to provide technical assistance when needed. Honduras is just one nation out of seven in the world that UAMM is working to support through prayer and funding from time-to-time. Shown at photo is The Rev. Geraldo Nixon Smith (right; Bishop Nicholson at left), pastor of “Heaven’s Door” in Honduras Capital city – Teguchgulpa. UAMM is involved with the Global Fellowship of Moravian Revival Churches and is a major supporter of work in Africa and supports work in the Philippines and Cambodia.
Rev. Isai’s Granwell’s Church is called Fuente De Vida, “Fountain of Life” Church. On his Church building is an impressive looking second UAMM Lion logo (the first one is in Tegucigulpa at Brother Geraldo Nixon Smith’s Church). Upon his arrival in La Ceiba, Honduras, Bishop Nicholson assisted Rev. Isai in holding a baptismal service for eight candidates which was a significant achievement. For an evening service Rev. Isai invited Sister Jaida Tablada, who manages El Shaddai Ministerio Evangelistico in La Ceiba, a feeding ministry for hungry children, to translate for him. After spirited worship, dancing by the Junior High group, Rev. Isai handed out UAMM logo baptismal certificates to the eight, all of which were signed by the bishop along with Rev. Isai’s signature.
Before his message Bishop Nicholson congratulated Rev. Isai and Sister Tangy’s one-year anniversary of their marriage. And also blessed their first child named after his daughter, Jerilyn Nicholson. It was a happy occasion! Then the bishop preached for about 45 minutes. He spoke of the importance of unity, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, teaching and preaching and practicing the word of God, and getting ready for Christ’s soon return. The altar had a number of people that came forward for prayer.
Bishop Nicholson met with leaders of two other churches in La Ceiba, on Monday November 18 held a one-night “three Church” UAMM Revival service, then travelled by air to Tegucigulpa, Honduras’s capital city to participate in pastoral meetings and worship at Rev. Geraldo Nixon’s Church. Tuesday, that first night there, a gathering was held in a scenic location over-looking the capital city. Rev. Nixon’s Church is called Iglesia Morava Puerta Dei Cielo (Heaven’s Door). Worship began at 7 pm and it turned out to be a well planned event. The Bishop from Alaska was welcomed as royalty with a special sign posted over the pulpit, “Welcome Dear Bishop”.
The worship at “Heaven’s Door” began with at least six musicians with keyboard, steel guitar and acoustical guitar. Specials and even two English songs, in the bishop’s honor, were sung by Brother Ronald Santiago and his wife and five year old son. The Youth put on two dynamic gifted skits. At least two testimonies were shared similar to the Sunday night Anchorage Moravian Church worship services.
When Bishop Nicholson began his preaching, he threw away the manuscript. And he spoke from his heart for almost an hour initially extending greetings from UAMM in land of ice and snow. His interpreter, Rev. Edwin Villabanca, who served as International Evangelist Benny Hinn’s interpreter was first rate and full of godly anointing and energy. Bishop Nicholson spoke of the need to not forsake the Assembly, the need to understand that UAMM is a pre-denonominational, 1st century discipleship movement, a spiritual family of true undefiled remnant Churches and Fellowships, and that what’s needed is God’s fire and glory to touch our churches! He emphasized the importance that since we are an end-day church and to avoid deception, we need to uplift Christ, teach and preach Christ and get into the meat of God’s word. he used Psalms 119 as a backdrop, especially verse 105 – “Thy Word is a Lamp unto my Feet and a light unto my Path”.
That special historic night, a first in Tegucigulpa, the bishop spoke of “the Enemy of darkness” and the need to overcome and that we are end-day special force, literally the greatest in history – Christ’s Navy seals on a search and rescue mission. After the message, according to an observer “full of fire”, the Bishop from Alaska gave an alter call for salvation, recommitments, for healing, for overcoming the enemy, for overcoming the suicide spirit and depression, and need for impartation of spiritual gifts and five-fold ministry. The whole church responded by coming forward. It was a special move of God! At the rear of the church, after 45 minutes of prayer, the bishop noticed four individuals there with his interpreter, Rev. Edwin Villabranca. He prayed for two and the bishop prayed for two. The last one he prayed for was a big burly individual who was afraid the criminal element would kill him that night. The bishop prayed for protection for him. The next day the individual became his friend and bodyguard.
After church that Tuesday night, Bishop Nicholson left the church with a mob of men. For protection he was told. The next morning at a special meeting of the leadership, using Brother Cooper as translator, Brother Nixon, the pastor of “Heaven’s Door” shared his concerns; among them his anxiety to keep his Church building. He does not receive a salary. His church holds upwards of 200 people. The rent for this church is considerable for the tithing as it is. Bishop Nicholson promised him he would bring his concerns back to Alaska.
After what was an extremely rewarding time, Bishop Nicholson left Tegucigulpa airport by American Airlines, Flight 2224 at 3:26 pm with arrival at Dallas Fort Worth at 10:45 pm. With a several hour lay-over in Dallas, he departed from Fort Worth for Portland, Oregon with American Airlines at 10:45 pm with Airbus A321. A bit tired he was picked up at Portland International Airport by his son, John W. Nicholson. Later after driving southward on Interstate 5 to Sutherlin, Oregon, it was a joyful reunion with his youngest daughter Parsha and beautiful four-year old granddaughter , Evonna. Later than day Bishop Nicholson met with a former Assembly of God pastor who had served next door to a Satan worshipping Church, where child had sacrifice happened with great credibility. Currently he was without a church. This pastor was an anointed gifted minister who agreed to see if he could help UAMM do a church plant among the indigenous people of Oregon, nearby. He, himself, has American Indian roots.
The Spirit of God was there in that meeting with Brother Carlson, the Oregon preacher. Deep inside as Bishop Nicholson finished up that meeting with Brother Carlson in the restaurant, he felt strongly that he should travel by automobile to Seattle, Washington to visit with Bishop Lauden Kangele. On November 23, while Bishop Nicholson’s children and granddaughter continued to the Space Needle, he met with Bishop Kangle at his Church office at City of Glory Church International in Des Moines, about 2 miles away from Sea-Tac International airport near Seattle. At Kangele’s church office, both UAMM bishops spent over two and one-half hours getting caught up on UAMM’s happenings. This included an oral report on Nicholson’s recent trip to Honduras, UAMM’s updated mission to reach out and preach God’s Word, his personal goals as bishop, the need to plan for a Bishop’s meeting in autumn in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2020, and the need for clarification as to the role of UAMM and City of Glory Church International, together.
The consultation between both bishops was positive. Agreed was that Bishop Kangele would like to meet with UAMM’s Director’s, in the near future, to discuss further the City of Glory International partnership, ministry funding issues, and preparations for upcoming autumn World Fellowship of Moravian Revival Church bishop’s meeting. Bishop Kangele also agreed to travel to Anchorage, Alaska, the week or two before Christmas 2019 to participate in a Spiritual Feast and ordination service for up to eight more UAMM pastors and evangelists.
While UAMM’s presence is felt in a limited way in Oregon and Washington state, a glimpse follows into achievements and needs in regards to UAMM’s Spiritual Family in Honduras. This is again first for prayer and to provide for information for potential donors that desire to help God do his work among the Mosquito people in Hondruas. UAMM already was able on this trip to provide limited pastoral assistance for pastors, a Key Board purchase, drum repair and food supply. Other achievements are summed as follows:
- Strengthening of Honduras’s Four churches.
- Connections made were significant. It is noted that other church plants are needed to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Isai Granwell is willing to help UAMM work closely other central America countries
- 8 Baptisms with UAMM Certifications
- Strengthening of relationship with Children’s feeding Ministry in La Ceiba
- Desire for Rev. Isai and his wife to travel to Alaska to minister.
- Desire for Rev. Nixon to travel to Alaska to speak.
- Desire for Rev. Edwin Villabanca for Bishop Nicholson to speak at a big crusade of 15,000 – 30,000 people in Tegucigulpa in 2020.
- Encouragement for at least two other ministers in Tegucigulpa to work together with UAMM’s clergyman, The Rev. Geraldo Nixon Smith.
The needs identified as follows:
- Spiritual and financial support for all Honduras’s UAMM pastors
- Rental Assistance for three churches
- Purchase of land for Rev. Castellon’s Church
- Need for additional chairs for Rev. Castellon’s Church
- Need for new sound system with microphones
- Need for $90 for purchase of bed for Rev. Oscar Rivera
- Finish of purchase of lot for Rev. Isai’s Christian Ed and UAMM office building
- Mortgage assistance for Rev. Nixon’s Church, so this important ministry is not lost.
- Need for Honduras Pastors and delegates to meet with Bishop Nicholson before September 2020 to consecrate two Presbyters and consecrate a Bishop-elect who will attend World Fellowship of Moravian Revival Church bishop’s convocation in Nairobi, Kenya, September 2020
- Need for Church planting in Oregon
- Need for continued partnership with Bishop Kangele City of Glory Church International
- Set-up of Ordination service and Spiritual Feast in Anchorage, Alaska with Bishop Kangele in attendance on December 13-15, 2019.
Please note the following: I’m praying that at least three wealthy patrons will assist this important ministry – United Alaska (International) Moravian Ministry group. We have done so much with so little. A goal is to reach $30,000 before May 2020. Needed is much more. Please pray with me folks. UAMM is a 501(C)3 non-profit, so it is a good tax break.
As you give, God will bless you more! It is a promise from God’s word. Luke 6:38 King James Version (KJV)
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.