Rev. Armando Sanchez

Rev. Dr. Armando Sanchez Bermudez was born in Nicaragua (Central America) in 1966. He has theological and humanistic formation--since entering formation for clergy and religious consecration in the Roman Catholic Church in 1983, his pastoral and missionary experience has taken him to diverse countries, cultures and languages. Armando sees one of his greatest strengths as a teacher. He has experience in both formal and informal education settings. He has taught and organized workshops, seminars and conferences on such topics as Communication, Human Rights, Community Development and Strategic Planning, among others. As professional he has worked as advisor of government, private consultant, professor of universities, counselor and administrator of social projects, however his commitment as a Pastor has taken him to exciting experiences spreading the Good News for all people.

Rev. Dr. Armando Sanchez was the first Latino American leader elected for the position of Regional Elder at MCC. From the very beginning of his contact with the Metropolitan Community Church he represented the denomination with passion, courage and pride. As co-founder and Senior Pastor of ICM Paz y Alegria de Nicaragua until December 2002, he established diverse links with many organizations among governmental, civil and religious as well. As the MCC Ecumenical Officer for Central America since July 2001, he represented the denomination at several local and regional ecclesiastical organizations, coalitions of Human Rights and peace, international task forces against HIV/AIDS and violence of gender, initiatives of GLTTB Christian ministries and ecumenical dialogue.

After the restructuring of the MCC regions, in 2004, Rev. Sanchez came back to Central America and developed in Honduras and Nicaragua several social projects oriented to help young people who have been involved in “gangs”, violence and addictions by seeking to provide--with the support of Christian ministries, international organizations and governmental institutions--new opportunities as education, jobs and health improvement. Earlier, Armando developed a ministry of inclusive compassion for those most excluded and poorest by encouraging a movement of voluntaries called “Chains of Love Ministry” which is partially sponsored by some inclusive Christian churches in Alabama and Georgia. Amongst the activities of this ministry many people are supported with education access, food and medicine supply and psychological support to people living with HIV and victims of violence of gender. Currently (2010), Rev. Dr. Armando Sanchez is working for the Nicaraguan government as Advisor for Ethic Public at the Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic of Nicaragua.

(This biographical statement provided by Armando Sanchez and Frank Zerilli.)

Biography Date: August, 2010

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