Vida Nueva, Managua, Nicaragua
Vida Nueva Managua, Nicaragua was our first MetroAmerica 020 church plant. It was founded in January 2006. Felix Canizales was the founding pastor. He and his family moved from San Salvador to Managua just months prior. A variety of evangelistic and follow up strategies were implemented, and the church began to grow, meeting first in a home and later in a rented building. The early days consisted of evangelism, follow-up, and discipleship of new believers. In 2007, Rodrigo Diaz was sent for one year to raise up a youth group and assist in evangelism and worship. After completing that year, he returned to El Salvador.
In June 2012, Rodrigo Diaz returned to Managua with his new bride, Miriam, to support the work of this church once again. They worked together with Felix and Dinora Canizalez until February 2013. At that time, it was decided to form two campuses of Vida Nueva Managua, Bolonia, and Los Robles. Felix and Rodrigo each pastored a campus and were able to reach many people for Christ. Their churches grew, people were baptized, discipled, small groups formed, and outreach continued. At their peaks, the Bolonia campus numbered 85 and the Los Robles campus numbered 55.
Then came the Political-Socio-Economic crisis of 2018. It was a very violent and disturbing time in Managua and many members fled the country. As a result of many factors, Pastor Felix Canizalez retired as Pastor of the Bolonia Campus and returned with his family to El Salvador. The Bolonia Campus was united with the Los Robles Campus and Vida Nueva Managua, pastored by Rodrigo Diaz, became one church again in August 2018. The church met at the Japanese Park Auditorium until mid 2024.
In 2024, regulatory changes in the country led to the church’s loss of legal status as well as the pastor’s residency. They are currently working to restore both. Rodrigo continues to pastor the church community which has remained strong and continues to grow despite these obstacles. Please pray that the Lord might open doors for them to regain their legal status as well as residency for the family.
Click Here to read Rodrigo Diaz’s short Biography.