it is the gift of God---not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:8-10
We believe that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
We believe that we are saved by grace,
and that God calls His people to ministry.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28: 19-20
We believe that Christians are mandated to bear witness
to God's saving grace through Jesus Christ,
and are to "make disciples of all nations".
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
We believe that we are commanded
to serve those less fortunate than we are.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many, they form one body"
1 Corinthians 12:12
We believe that Christians from many backgrounds,
though not in full agreement on all the theological issues,
can work together in a common commitment
to bring the gospel to a lost and dying world.
NiCE Foundation seeks to be the vehicle so that
the following can be accomplished:
Reach the lost
Disciple believers
Equip for ministry
Celebrate unity
Live out the love of Christ
Our mission is to improve the lives of disadvantaged Nicaraguans
by providing them with the tools to meet some of their long-term needs
in the areas of salvation, medical care, education, and employment.
We use a three-pronged approach encompassing
the mind, body and soul in enabling people to help themselves.
A significant part of NiCE's ministry is to provide organization & leadership
of short-term mission teams so that people of all ages, denominations, cities,
and skills can have a meaningful experience ministering in Nicaragua.
WELCOME!
HISTORY
Twelve years of civil war had ended and the first democratic presidential election had taken place in 1990. In the fall of 1992, when the first group of short-term medical mission teams arrived, with volunteers from all over the U.S.
In 1995, when no other organization or individual could be found to do it, Bill and Shirley Beltz agreed to seek sponsors for about 100 children in grades 1-4 who were beginning classes in Escuela Cristiana Emilia de Sirker in February 1996. The Lord has blessed the children and this small school, and it has grown now to over 200 children in grades 1-9. Top students are on scholarship at a neighboring Christian school where they complete high school.
They had no idea that these small steps would propel them into life-long ministries---that just kept getting bigger and bigger! As the sponsorship program grew out of the needs of the children, it became obvious that the Lord was calling them to participate in more ministries. As these ministries grew, it became necessary to incorporate the Nicaragua Christian Education Foundation (NiCE Foundation) as a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit public charity in the year 2000. The Beltz' operate the foundation out of the basement office in their home in the St. Louis metro area.
They continue to be amazed as the Lord opens new ministries and somehow equips them to hear and respond!
Nicaragua Christian Education Foundation (NiCE Foundation) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charity, incorporated in the year 2000 in the state of Illinois. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
"But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
"Faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26b
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION & FUTURE EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE MEDICAL CARE
Physical assistance to existing & new medical facilities
Quality Christian education at the primary and secondary levels
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALVATION
Assistance to churches
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13
"Your life is not going to be easy, and it should not be easy.
It ought to be hard.
It ought to be radical; it ought to be restless;
it ought to lead you to places you'd rather not go."
---Henri Nouwen
OUR MISSION
Grants for the construction & repair of medical facilities
Support for operation of quality medical services to the poor
Teams of volunteers to assist with construction & repair of facilities
Donation and shipping of medical equipment and supplies
Recruitment of short-term medical professionals to share skills, equipment, and knowledge
To serve Christ with their time and skills
For personal & spiritual growth
To find meaning and direction in their lives
To have a life-changing experience
Opportunities for mission team members
Grants to Christian schools that provide Bible education in the classroom
Mission teams that host Bible schools in neighborhoods
Providing supplies and materials for outreach
Bible education for children
Support for new and existing churches
Grants to fund church construction & ministries
Providing equipment and materials for ministry
Work teams to assist with church construction
Grants to pay education expenses & for hot lunches for students in Christian schools
Grants to 9th grade Christian school graduates so they can complete high school
Donation of supplies and equipment
Funding for construction and repair of Christian schools
Short-term mission teams to help repair and build schools
Nicaragua Christian Education Foundation
NiCE Foundation
1405 Walnut Street
Highland, IL 62249
618/882-6090
Cell 618-288-6078 billbeltz@hotmail.com
2005
Assisted with construction of parsonage for new church in Jinotepe
Held Bible schools in Jinotepe and Nejapa
Funded new pre-school, the start of the Nejapa school
2004
First high school graduates entered college
Property for second Christian school is purchased
Sponsored first women's health fair in Nejapa
2003
Youth worker, Jen Peak, arrived for 2 years
Sponsored first REAL MAN Rally
Bible Institute opened
First students graduated from high school
2002
Celebrated of 10 years of ministry in Nicaragua
2001
First class graduated from 9th grade
Samaritan Inn guesthouse opened (to house mission teams)
2000
Marie Thomas high school building opened on school grounds
NiCE Foundation is formed
1999
Dispensario El Samaritano (clinic) opened
1998
Small temporary clinic opened in wooden building
First class graduated from 6th grade
1997
18 acres of land purchased for Hospital El Samaritano
1996
Escuela Cristiana Emilia de Sirker opened with 120 students in grades 1-4
1995
Construction began on school in Santa Rosa
1994
Addition to medical clinic (Clinica Amen) is completed
1992
First workcamp (medical) arrived
1991
New president of Nicaragua took office
1990
12 years of civil war ended in Nicaragua
Country was in a shambles (financial, educational, physical, & spiritual)
First president of Nicaragua was democratically elected
NICARAGUA CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BOARD MEMBERS
Bill Beltz, President
NiCE Co-founder
Gary Hamilton, Vice President
Shirley Beltz, Secretary/Treasurer
NiCE Co-founder Brian Pope Dennis Dowdall Bruce Brim John Wampler
"Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory,
that your hand would be with me,
and that you would keep me from evil.."
1 Chronicles 4:10
"Today's oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground."
"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable,
but more useful than a life spent doing nothing."
George Bernard Shaw
LEADERSHIP: ALL VOLUNTEER STAFF
IN THE UNITED STATES (MOST OF THE TIME)
Shirley & Bill Beltz
Live in Highland, IL (St. Louis Metro Area)
Parents of 5 children, and grandparents of 15
Since 2004, Bill has worked as a full-time volunteer for the NiCE Foundation.
Shirley, a registered nurse, is employed full-time as the immunization nurse for a federally qualified pediatric clinic.
Co-founded NiCE Foundation in 2000
Operate the foundation from their basement home office (no rent!)
Produce the newsletters and website, coordinate & lead the mission trips, make travel arrangements for mission teams
Manage the sponsorship program & correspond with sponsors
Travel to speak & promote the various ministries in Nicaragua
Gary Hamilton, Vice President
Brian Pope Dennis Dowdall
Bruce Brim John Wampler
NiCE Ambassadors
Debbie & Bob Brown(Staunton, VA)
Ambassadors are volunteers who represent NiCE Foundation
in their home communities by sharing information about the work in Nicaragua,
and inviting others to get involved.
Nothing worthwhile is ever accomplished without passion.
