What a remarkable year it has been! We are incredibly blessed to witness the work of God around the world through our partnership with you in building Hope. The videos below serve as a testament to the transformative work of God in Poland through one of our global projects.
POLAND
Why Poland and why 700 cities?
Pastor Filip Sobotka’s Story!
THANK YOU for helping us and Builders International finish building projects that are changing lives worldwide. Your support has been instrumental in bringing hope and change to countless communities in need. Each brick laid and each structure built is a testament to the compassion and generosity of our supporters.
As we approach this holiday season, we reflect on the incredible impact made possible through our joint efforts. It is encouraging to know that your contributions are not just building physical structures but also creating spaces where families can thrive, children can learn, and people are being introduce to Christ.
Our prayer is that your Christmas is blessed and full of the hope and joy Christ brings. THANK YOU once again for being a vital part of this journey.
In the last 16 years of our missionary service, we’ve been privileged to be a part of Builders International, a team of individuals who passionately believes in building places where people find hope. Through your partnership and generosity, communities across the globe have experienced the tangible love of Jesus firsthand, leading to the transformation of countless lives.
Listen to Vladimir Dramicanin’s story as he tells how his life was transformed!
Meet Vladimir Dramicanin
Every brick laid, every classroom built, and every church dedicated is more than construction — it’s the foundation of transformed lives.
This year’s project complete and dedicate:
➔ Bahamas: 1 Church
➔ Cuba: 2 Churches
➔ Honduras: 1 Church + 1 Safe House
➔ Panama: 4 Churches
➔ Serbia: 1 Rehab Center
➔ Uruguay: 4 Churches
That’s twelve churches, one safe house, and a rehab center — each now a beacon of hope to the community it serves!
Projects
Currently we have 41 project, in 27 different countries!
Behind every project is a story of lives being changed.
During my recent trip to Guatemala, I had the privilege of connecting with missionaries David and Debbie Amsler and visiting several new construction sites to determine how Builders International could contribute. One location that particularly captivated me was located in the indigenous village of San Juan La Laguna, nestled on the shores of the volcanic Lake Atitlan.
Waiting on the dock for us we were greeted by Pastors Juan and Diana Bocel, who are products of the Amsler ministry. They answered God’s call to make a difference in this village so deeply affected by alcohol, drugs, and steeped in religious/paganism. In this environment, human abuses are widespread. They began their ministry by reaching children. Later, as they grew and were able, they purchased a property where the first level of the “Doorway to Heaven” church was built. This is the first AG church established in this community, the only ministry that reaches children and a place where people can receive licensed counseling. It’s an amazing place God is using to transform people’s lives.
The facility is used as a clinic, after-school program, counseling center, feeding center, and church on a weekly basis.
For some time now, this church has been at capacity and is ready to begin the construction of the second floor, which will serve as the sanctuary. Pastor Juan and Diana are visionary leaders, and God has positioned this church to reach beyond its current boundaries. With a little assistance, their already effective ministry can expand and make a greater impact. Thank you for making this possible without you we could not help this great ministry go forward.
If you are interested in helping with this project, please feel free to contact me for information to give or bring a team. Your prayers for the completion of phase II of the Doorway To Heaven Church are greatly appreciated.
Questions? John Sims 417.207.5753
Victory for the Antigua New Life Youth Center
Six years ago we went forward on this project with anticipation of God’s intervention. Missionaries Billy and Havila Roman are pioneering the first AG Ministry on the island and have dedicated their lives to reaching the youth of Antigua. Now as we pour concrete for the long-awaited new Antigua New Life-Youth Center, we are filled with overwhelming excitement. A brand-new 50×100 ft. steel building is awaiting on site in shipping containers. Once assembled this building represents the next step towards bringing hope to the youth and people of this island. This project is now open to teams eager to join us in constructing a desperately needed facility for this remarkable ministry. We are grateful for your support, which enables us to make a positive impact and bring freedom where hopelessness holds people captive.
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.
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.
johnanddeborahsims.com 