In addition to short-term missions trips to Nicaragua, the Centers of Hope is committed to establishing permanent mission centers throughout the country. Currently we have a few operational clinics, and we are developing plans for an orphanage as well. To find out more about our missions and clinics and our directors, please read on below.
Operational centers | Founders | Board
Medical/Dental Clinics and Feeding Centers
We currently sponsor 5 centers located in Nicaragua. Center #1 is located more centrally in Managua ahd is accessible by a major paved road and a short dirt road. The services we provide at this center include a laboratory, pharmacy, full time doctor and dentist.
Center #2 is located at Nuevo Amanecerá refugee area in a field near Masaya. This center is used primarily for feeding.
Center #3 is a ministry center that was just recently built at Piedras Quemadas near Masaya.
Center #4 is at the Centers of Hope church built June 2010 in San Rafael del Sur by the Forrest Hill Church of God. We also are supplying funds to assist 3 other centers in this area.
Center #5 is in partnership with Christian businesswoman Ingrid Chevez who for years has helped the hungry from her small store in downtown Matagalpa. An average of 50 children are being feed 5 days per week at this center.
Founders
Donald E. Gerken and his late wife Sharon, are founders of the Centers of Hope Missions International. Dr. Gerken is an ordained minister with the Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee. The Gerkens were appointed by the Church of God and lived in Nicaragua, during which time the ministries originated.
Don has 26 years of ministry experience, including local church pastor, chaplain, home missionary, professor, and foreign educational missionary. His educational preparation includes a BA in Psychology from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa; an MA in Evangelism and Church Growth from Scarritt College, Nashville, Tennessee; an M.Div. in Pastoral Theology from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, including CPE training (Clinical Pastoral Education); and a D.Min. in Missiology from Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi.
As a professor, Don has taught at Gilgal Bible Institute, Monterrey, Mexico; Facultad Teologica Pentecostal, Guatemala City, Guatemala; and Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, formerly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He has written 2 dissertations: "The Meaning, Motivation and Communication of the Holiness Doctrine for Evangelism" and "The Training of a Mission Team for Urban Church Planting." He is also a contributing author of "Ordained to Minister," Dr. James Simpson, editor.
Don has 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Executive Director - Nate Schwenk
Board President - John Lassiter
Board Vice President - C. Fred Marcinak, DDS
Board Secretary - Beth Statesir
Treasurer - Brad Harris, CPA
Board Members
Randy Slone
Andrew Gerken
Harold & Judy Weatherwax
Chris Priska
Auxiliary Board Members
Eric Gerken
Administrator in Nicaragua
Julio Cesar Cortez
