Author: John And Deborah Sims

John and Deborah serve as Regional Project Managers for Latin America/Caribbean with Builders International/MAPS Construction. Every 45 minutes a new Assemblies of God church is planted around the world, that is over 11,000 churches per year! As Project Managers, they assist in the building of Bible schools, churches and training facilities that help meet the needs of this rapid church growth. They serve in the areas of project management, team leading, and development of training facilities that will carry the Gospel to the nations. The Sims have served over 19 years as missionaries to Latin America in church planting, evangelism and building, giving them a wealth of knowledge and experience to help facilitate reaching the lost.

Celebrating a Vision Come True: Central Bible Institute – Phase 1

Published on November 20, 2024June 2, 2025 by John And Deborah SimsLeave a comment

Twenty years ago, as I stood on a piece of property in Nicaragua, I wondered what God would do with it and how I might play a role. Today, with the partnership of the National Church, Missionary Daniel Klaehn, donors from the States, Builders International, and Priority One, we are thrilled to celebrate the completion of Phase One of the Central Bible Institute.

In the ribbon-cutting picture there are countless stories of people who prayed, worked, and sacrificed for many years so that this beautiful facility could stand here today, ready to equip future leaders.

This institute will serve as a central hub for learning, training, and inspiring a vision for the future of the gospel in Nicaragua. And now, it’s harvest time.

Deborah and I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for making CBI a reality through your generous giving. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this significant moment!

Meet Jairo

Jairo Lopez stood at a crossroads in his life. His heart weighed heavy, still raw from the loss of his father in a tragic accident. The future felt bleak, his direction unclear. But then, a gentle nudge came from an unexpected place…

Missionary Daniel Klein invited Jairo to join the Central Bible Institute in Managua, Nicaragua, as a full-time student. At first, Jairo hesitated, unsure if this path was for him. Little did he know, it was the beginning of a journey that would change his life—and countless others—in ways he could have never imagined.

As he immersed himself in study and fellowship, the wound in Jairo’s heart began to heal. In a community built on faith, he found a renewed sense of purpose, and gradually, he recognized a calling he hadn’t seen before. What had started as a personal journey became something greater. From student to instructor, Jairo’s passion for helping others grew, leading him to serve not just as a teacher but as a guide for those who, like him, were searching for hope.

Years later, Jairo’s hard work, commitment, and wisdom earned him the role of director of the Bible School. He embraced his responsibilities with humility and a steadfast motto: “towel first, crown later.” It was a phrase that embodied the essence of his mission—servant leadership. He wanted every student to understand that the heart of a true leader is defined not by authority or recognition but by a willingness to serve others.

The Bible school faced a journey of its own. For years, it was operated without a permanent location, which limited its growth. However, hope arrived through partnerships with several organizations, including Builders International and Priority One, which saw the potential of Central Bible Institute and stepped in to help with construction funds and teams. Within a year, the new facility began to take shape, transforming the school from a place of makeshift gatherings to a thriving center of learning and ministry.

Now, as Jairo walks through the hallways of the new facility, he sees lives transforming, futures taking shape, and leaders in the making. With each new class, he feels a quiet sense of gratitude, knowing his journey—the pain, the healing, the purpose—has created a ripple effect of faith that will spread far beyond Nicaragua.

In his heart, Jairo believes that Central Bible Institute will continue to grow, shaping leaders who will serve God with humility and strength, carrying the light of hope to places yet unreached. And he knows, without a doubt, that this is only the beginning.

Together, we build hope,

John Sims

Pink Boxes And Prayer

Published on June 27, 2023June 27, 2023 by John And Deborah SimsLeave a comment

It began with pink boxes and prayer. Over the years, we had prayed and talked about how we could involve women in the construction ministry of Builders International. On May 26, 2023, we mailed 17 pink boxes to our first SheBUILDS team members, headed for Nicaragua to work and minister at the Acahualinca Children’s Center.

I was blessed to join this great team of women, wanting to make a difference in the lives of women and children around the world. The following video tells the seven day story of our trip.

Why SheBUILDS?

Afflicted women and children find themselves crushed by the world. The SheBUILDS community brings hope to the hopeless by serving the oppressed and speaking up for those who seek justice.

What is SheBUILDS?

SheBUILDS is a community of ladies of means and influence, standing together with trusted community leaders around the world who are passionately meeting the needs of women and children.

There’s several ways you can be involved with SheBUILDS!

Join a SheBUILD construction team that is meeting the needs of children and women
Travel to a project on a vision trip to see how you can make a difference
Attend a SheBUILDS fundraising event at an exciting venue

Most importantly, I invite you to join the SheBUILDS community at www.buildersintl.org/shebuilds. You will receive regular updates on what’s happening in the SheBUILDS community!

During our trip to Nicaragua, we were able to minister to the needs of 80 children and women, living in some of the poorest conditions at the cities oldest trash dump. I ask myself, “Where can Christ be found?” For I am convinced it is Christ and His love for us that changes everything.

Romans to 8:37-39 says . . .

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Thank you for helping us reach those who have never heard of a love of Christ.

Deborah Sims

Ribbon Cutting

Published on March 7, 2023March 12, 2023 by John And Deborah SimsLeave a comment

It is not everyday that one gets the opportunity to see the impact a building can have in a community.

Just recently, we had the privilege and honor of representing Builders International at the ribbon-cutting for the new Christian Ministry for the Deaf facility. It was amazing to witness the effects this school is having on families in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Not only are children having an opportunity for education, but families are being restored.

Along with Mayor Roberto Contreras, Pastor and Director Marcos David Jordon, Missionary Zach Rix, board members, and many others who have helped make this possible, we cut that ribbon!

Ribbon Cutting Video

The Story

Abuse is prevalent among children with disabilities in Honduras. This will be the only school for the deaf in San Pedro Sula, giving deaf students in this area a rare opportunity for an education, a successful future, and to hear the gospel.

In a city with more than 956,000 people, this ministry center has dual purpose. It is the only school teaching and ministering to children with hearing impairments. This new facility is also being used as a church on Sundays to reach hearing impaired adults and children! The school has a weekly feeding program which reaches many children needing help and opens the door to a future with hope.

One day, an 18 year old boy came to the feeding program at the school. Hungry and rejected, he was misunderstood by many who believed he had a mental disorder. At the school they tested him and discovered he did not have a disorder, but was instead deaf. In one year he learned to read and write, and was introduced to the love Christ has for him.

The School!

The Christian Ministry for the Deaf is a 8,600 square foot, two-story facility. It will include 8 classrooms, a prayer room, a conference room, an office, a kitchen, and an open-air courtyard that will serve as a school gym and meeting space for the local AG Church for the Deaf. The school currently serves 100 students. Many of these students come from vulnerable neighborhoods throughout San Pedro Sula.

Thank you to everyone who has given and prayed to make this happen!

Project Shovel Ready

Published on November 30, 2022December 9, 2022 by John And Deborah SimsLeave a comment

Looking back over this last year, we are amazed at how God has blessed our work at Builders International. Thanks to your faithful giving, you have made it possible for us to assist our missionaries and national churches in completing the following shovel-ready projects:

Five churches finished in Uruguay!
Six churches finished in Panama!
Seven churches finished in Honduras!
Ukraine Refugee Center in Katowice, Poland – Now open and serving up to 60 refugees per night!
Honduras Transformation Project – Dedicated and now training pastors who are taking the gospel to unreached indigenous communities.
Home of Hope Orphanage Medical & Dental Clinic, Philippines – Dedicated and now serving the children of the home with much needed services.
Camp Abaco – Opened back up, reaching children and youth in the Bahamas, after being heavily damaged by Hurricane Dorian.

In October, we launched SheBuilds, a community of ladies of means and influence, standing together with trusted community leaders around the world who are passionately meeting the needs of women and children. To learn more visit: https://buildersintl.org/shebuilds/

It is a team effort at Builders International working together with missionaries, national churches, team members, and donors, that we are grateful to be a part of. We believe in people over projects and people are being reached for Christ through the ministry of Builders International. #TogetherWeBuildHOPE

Please keep us in your prayers this next year, as we continue working with Builders International, assisting in the building of the following shovel-ready projects:

Kosovo – The Hope Center – Reaching this Muslim city of 90,000 with a children’s outreach and feeding center for the poor.
Sri Lanka – Navinna Church – Standing with this congregation to help finish their sanctuary as they face a nationwide economic collapse and severe persecution by radical Buddhist monks.
Nicaragua – Casa de Mi Gloria (House of My Glory) – Partnering with this powerful church-planting congregation reaching the lost in the second poorest country in the western hemisphere to get them out of a tent!
Spain – Missionary Respite House – Providing a place for missionaries serving in difficult areas to find refreshment and restoration so they can continue successfully serving in the face of often desperate challenges.
Albania – Durres Church – In a nation where 99% of the population has never heard the gospel, this church reaches their community with an after-school program and feeding and medical programs.
Honduras – Honduras School For The Deaf – This will be the only school for the deaf in San Pedro Sula, giving deaf students in this area a rare opportunity for an education and a successful future.

These last few years have been a challenge for everyone and more than ever we are grateful for your continued support of our missions work. As this year comes to a close we want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Let’s Build Hope,

John And Deborah Sims – IM Missionaries, Builders International

P.S. We have some exciting family news to share with you! IT’S A BOY! We are going to be first-time grandparents! Our oldest son, Nathaniel, and his wife Stephanie are having their first baby!

On Track!!

Published on May 9, 2022May 10, 2022 by John And Deborah SimsLeave a comment

In the midst of war, sickness, and the many troubles that exist in our world today, HOPE is not lost!

It’s been amazing to work with God’s people and projects moving forward. Yes, we are on track!!

Funds have been raised and teams are going to help complete the Marriage and Family Counseling Center in El Salvador! Watch the rafters go up >>> https://vimeo.com/705440977

The purchase of property for the new Antigua Youth Ministry Center, on the island of Antigua, is on the verge of completion!! Building will begin this year, with the goal of reaching the island’s large population of young adults.

Teams are headed to the Bahamas, Panama, Honduras, as countries are opening up.

One project that is especially exciting to me, and an honor to be a part of, is Hope for Uruguay 100. In November of 2020, Builders International partnered with the missionary and national church with a goal to build 100 churches. Pastors, congregations, and dedicated construction workers have steadily continued to build during the last two years. This week church #16 in Nuevo Paysandu, Uruguay is being dedicated!!

New Projects Coming!!

Costs Rica – Excitement is growing for the future project in Costa Rica. The site visit team made another stop today to look at an additional residential training campus. It’s been a great trip with this team that loves Jesus, loves missionaries, and coffee too.

Poland Refugee Housing – This is the building located in Katowice, Poland that will serve 200 Ukrainian refugees. It will be a place where many will find safety, security, and their most basic needs met.

Our AGWM missionary partners are working with Polish nationals to turn an empty office building into short-term housing for Ukrainian refugees to provide a warm and safe environment to live in as they escape war, then prepare to depart to other countries throughout Europe.

While at the refugee center, Ukrainians will be loved and ministered to by missionaries and other Christians. This center will also help reduce the amount of human trafficking that is sadly happening during this crisis.

At Builders International, we are beginning to schedule teams now. Teams will fly into Krakow, Poland, and spend 8 or 9 days working at the refugee center.

Interested? Call (417) 207-5753 john@buildersintl.org

Since January 2022, we have launched several new projects in the countries of: Egypt, Sri Lanka, Albania, and Bihar India. Please pray with us for these people, places, and projects around the World. Despite persecution and resistance, the gospel is still reaching the world and bringing HOPE!