The Board of General Superintendents has elected Jimmy De Gouveia to the position of Mesoamerica regional director, effective 1 November 2025.

The Church of the Nazarene’s General Board ratified the election with an email vote coordinated by General Secretary Gary Hartke. David Busic, jurisdictional general superintendent for Mesoamerica, and Jim Ritchie, Global Missions director, prayerfully led the nomination and election process.

“Jimmy De Gouveia has a passion for the mission of making Christlike disciples in the nations,” Busic said. “He will lead the missions team in Mesoamerica well.”

De Gouveia succeeds Carlos Sáenz, who, after almost 20 years of committed RD leadership, is changing roles to lead his beloved home district of Panama Central. He leaves the region in good hands.

“I am delighted with the election of Jimmy De Gouveia as the new regional director of Mesoamerica,” said Global Missions Director Jim Ritchie. “Jimmy has a passion for Jesus, the church, evangelism, and church planting. His infectious and pastoral character will be a real blessing to the region, and he will be a great addition to the global regional director’s team. Maggie and I welcome Jimmy and Lisbeth and their family to this role with love, prayers, and great anticipation of good days ahead.”

Jimmy De Gouveia began attending a Church of the Nazarene near his house at the age of 14. A year later, he accepted Christ as his Savior. At a youth camp, at 19 years old, De Gouveia completely surrendered to God’s will for his life and said “yes” to a call into ministry.

“I’m convinced that God has brought us to this moment in Mesoamerica for a divine purpose,” De Gouveia said. “This is the time to build together a passionate team and a bold vision that will take our Region to the next level. What’s coming will be extraordinary.”

De Gouveia and his wife, Lisbeth, are currently serving as global missionaries in Colombia. Jimmy serves as the Coordinator of Evangelism and Ministries for the South America Region.

He was ordained in March 2006 and pastored Jesús La Esperanza Church of the Nazarene in San Diego de los Altos, Venezuela, from 2006 until 2023. He also served as the regional NYI coordinator from 2009 to 2017.

In 2017, he was appointed superintendent of the Venezuela Primero District, leading until 2020. In 2019, he and his family became missionaries in Colombia. He was appointed to serve as the superintendent of the Colombia Noreste Central District from 2022 to 2023.

He has studied at Seminario Teológico Nazareno Sudamericano (STNS), UNINAZ (formerly known as SENDAS), and the Seminario Teológico Nazareno in Guatemala. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Theology and Christian Ministry, and is in the process of completing his Master’s degree in Pastoral Leadership from STNS.

He and his wife, Lisbeth, have three children, Rebecca, Santiago, and Aarón.

–Board of General Superintendents