Karen and I recently had the privilege of visiting Bryan and Sandy Wise, BCMN-endorsed missionaries serving in Nicaragua. Our trip took place in May of this year, and we’re excited to report that they’re doing an incredible job reaching the people there.

From Virginia to Nicaragua: Following God’s Call

The Wises’ journey to Nicaragua began while they were on staff at Battlefield Baptist Church in Warrenton, Virginia. In 2014, their pastor, Greg Corcoran, asked them to lead a mission trip to Nicaragua. Before serving at Battlefield, Bryan and Sandy had been missionaries in Honduras, so they weren’t strangers to Central American ministry.

As soon as they landed in Nicaragua, Bryan felt like he was home. He immediately sensed God’s call to serve there. A few days later, Sandy felt the same tug on her heart. In November, they shared with Pastor Corcoran that they believed God was calling them to Nicaragua full-time. They resigned from the church, raised their support, and just one year later, they were on the field.

Building from the Ground Up in Mateare

They arrived in the town of Mateare on December 3 and held their first church service on December 20—with 15 people in attendance.

They chose Mateare based on a recommendation from a missionary friend in Managua. That friend had tried to start a church in Mateare several times but was never able to get one established. Bryan and Sandy, drawing from their experience in Honduras, knew their chances of success would be much higher if they actually lived in Mateare instead of commuting from Managua (a 30-minute drive). They found a furnished apartment for $150 a month and began holding services in the yard.

As the church grew, they moved services to a rented three-bedroom house in May 2016. Though they still met outside, the bedrooms and living room gave them space for Sunday School classes. Attendance quickly grew—they were averaging 75 people, with a high of 144. In May 2017, they purchased land and built a 200-seat auditorium. By 2018, the church was self-supporting and had a national pastor. That same year, the Wises started a new church plant in Rosario Murillo.

Weathering the Storms

Everything was going well—until political unrest erupted in Nicaragua. The Wises were forced to leave the country, and church attendance dropped due to fear and uncertainty. Thankfully, they were able to return in late 2018 and began rebuilding. But then COVID hit in 2020, and like so many others, they had to start rebuilding attendance all over again.

Ministry in Action: Our Visit to Rosario Murillo

During our visit, we had the chance to see the 100-seat auditorium they’ve built in Rosario Murillo. They’ve also built a house next to the church that includes a Sunday School room. The current average attendance is around 50.

I had the opportunity to go visiting with Bryan on both Friday and Saturday while we were there. No one in Rosario Murillo—including the Wises—has a vehicle, so all visiting is done on foot. We walked about two and a half miles each day in 98-degree heat, visiting people in their homes. On Sunday morning, the church was packed.

Partnership with BCMN

Bryan and Sandy first heard about BCMN from their sending pastor, Greg Corcoran. After attending a BCMN meeting in Canton, they were impressed by how many pastors were actively looking for missionaries to support—something they had never experienced before. They applied for endorsement and were approved.

Since then, they’ve attended several national BCMN meetings and never left with fewer than five meetings scheduled at BCMN churches. Every church they’ve presented in has taken them on for support. They say the meetings are always uplifting, the preaching is just what they need, and they’ve built lasting friendships with other BCMN missionaries.

Looking Ahead

The Wises plan to be in the U.S. for a short furlough. You can contact them at wises2nicaragua@gmail.com.

Their story demonstrates what can happen when missionaries commit to living among the people they serve, persist through challenges, and partner with churches that share their heart for missions. It was an honor to witness their work firsthand and see the fruit of their faithful ministry in Nicaragua.