Harvest Initiative — Organization Profile
Harvest Initiative, also known publicly as HI Nicaragua, is a Missouri-based Christian nonprofit serving communities in Nicaragua through community development, education, environmental stewardship, discipleship, and practical support. The organization’s mission is to advance Christian unity through community development, and its stated vision is for Christians to make Christ’s peace real through organized action in evangelism, education, and the environment.
The organization’s core focus is Christian community development that mobilizes local effort rather than replacing it. Harvest Initiative describes its approach as asset-based, beginning with a community’s existing resources instead of only its needs. Its values emphasize the authority of Scripture, stewardship of existing assets, and sustainable development that grows through relationships with local partners.
Harvest Initiative serves several locations across Nicaragua, with a mission base near Tipitapa supporting its staff, schools, feeding centers, outreach activities, agricultural demonstrations, renewable-energy demonstrations, volunteer housing, and donation distribution. The ministry also identifies work in Alamikamba, Managua, Rodeo Grande Somotilo, San Benito, and the Miskitu Tribal territory along the Prinzapolka River.
The organization operates through education, community projects, clean water work, food distribution, pastoral training, environmental stewardship, and outreach among Miskitu communities. Its education ministry includes Harvest Community Christian School in San Benito, Little Benjamin Christian School in Tipitapa, and Uba Lilika Christian School in the Miskitu area. Harvest Initiative states that it founded and operates its schools to provide quality primary and secondary education in safe, nurturing, Christ-centered settings.
A distinctive part of Harvest Initiative’s work is combining Christ-centered education, local leadership, and community-based development across multiple Nicaraguan regions. Its projects include Atlantic Coast Outreach, Clean Water Projects, Feed Nicaragua, Harvest Initiative Base Site, Miskitu Permaculture Project, Pastoral Resource Center, and Christian schools. In the Miskitu region, the ministry describes discipleship needs, local-language outreach, and educational work in communities where opportunities for formal Christian training may be limited.
People can engage with Harvest Initiative by sponsoring students, giving to active campaigns, donating to projects, subscribing to newsletters, praying for students and teachers, or supporting specific areas such as teacher salaries, clean water, food distribution, pastoral resources, and Miskitu outreach. Supporters can give online, text to donate, contact the ministry by email, or connect with the organization through its official website and Facebook page.
Key Links
- Website: https://www.harvestnic.com/
- Mission, Vision, Values: https://www.harvestnic.com/mission-vision-values
- Projects: https://www.harvestnic.com/projects
- Places: https://www.harvestnic.com/places
- Sponsorships: https://www.harvestnic.com/sponsorships
- Board of Directors: https://www.harvestnic.com/our-board-of-directors-stateside
- FAQ: https://www.harvestnic.com/frequently-asked-questions
- Newsletter: https://www.harvestnic.com/newsletter
- Donate: https://www.harvestnic.com/donations/new
Contact Information
- Email: ha********************@***il.com
- Base site email: ma**********************@***il.com
- Phone: 636-339-0002
- Text-to-donate phone: 636-323-4071
- Mailing address: PO Box 51, Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367
Socials
Leadership
- Dennis Dowdall — Founder, Board Member
- Ami Wilson — Founder, Board Member
- Marcus Pearson — Founder, Board Member
- Gary Schnieder — Board Member
- Fred Mcginley — Board Member
- Nancy Schulz — Board Member
- Jackie Dowdall — Bookkeeping and Sponsorship Volunteer
- Lisa Kempf — REACH Database Updates and Correspondence Volunteer
- Marilyn Slavich — Financial Strategy, Compliance, and Best Practices Volunteer
- Matt Tucker — Web Security, REACH Coordinator, and SEO Volunteer
- Ann Pearson — Sponsorship Field Point of Contact
