Our Team

Sam and Marcie Nicholson - Executive Director

On a short mission trip in June of 2013 Sam and Marcie fell in love with the Cocama people and soon realized God was calling them to live and work among them. In February 2014 Sam was guided to found The Cocama Project. Within six months the ministry was born. In August of 2014 they began living among the people, using their former careers' experience and knowledge (engineering and education) to help with humanitarian needs and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. They alternately live two to three months in the jungle village of 9 de Octubre and two to three months in Richmond Texas, allowing them the ability to live among this people group as well as tend to the needs of the ministry. They report that one of the greatest compliments they have received was when the villagers began to refer to them as the “Cocamas blanco” (the white Cocamas), indicating their acceptance into the society of this jungle culture. Sam and Marcie are members of First Baptist Church of Rosenberg in Rosenberg, Texas.

Kyle and Alissa Pean

Beginning in 2011, Kyle spent his summers interning with IAM Ministries in Peru. He spent many months learning about the culture of Peru and falling in love with the people. In June of 2013, Kyle went along side Sam and Marcie as they ventured on their first trip. In a similar way that this trip changed their lives, Kyle’s life was also changed. After returning home, he began his college career at Criswell Bible College in Dallas, Texas. In June of 2016, he married Alissa, who has also traveled globally for missions, and they began their life together. God has since sent them on many trips to different places to spread the gospel of Christ. South America has always held a special place in both of their hearts.
In June of 2018, Kyle and Alissa went together to Peru and fell in love with the people of Nueve de Octubre. God has placed it in their hearts to join The Cocama Project to walk alongside Sam and Marcie in the vision for the people.

After joining Cocama Project Kyle and Alissa moved to Costa Rica in 2019 to study Spanish to be better equipped for the call. After studying they moved to 9 de Octubre to serve full time on the field. Kyle and Alissa have three kids Elizabeth, Jack, and Samuel who also serve alongside The Cocama Project to fulfill the great commission.