Nelson Newsletter - August 2025

 

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Apostle Paul, Acts 20:21

Dear Ambassadors,

God has made each of His ambassadors. 

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20  

What an honor to represent the Lord Jesus Christ on earth! He has not only made us His representatives, but He lives in us by His Spirit! He empowers us to live supernaturally to represent Him to those who have not repented and trusted our Lord Jesus yet.

Today I purchased a used dehumidifier from Jenn. As we chatted, I found out that she was going back to Erie, PA to go fishing with her father. She said, “Dad is retired, and now he fishes all the time. He has had a great summer catching big Steelhead and Brown trout!” After talking more about our shared passion for fishing, I gave her my testimony tract. “This is the story of how God changed my life!” I left praying that she would make Jesus her Lord and Savior. It made me sad that her dad is totally devoted to catching fish. Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” I thank God that He caught me over 50 years ago! He captured my heart with following Him and fishing for men!

Atlanta Fishing for men begins with salvation. Then discipleship helps every believer have a heart for God and people. God desires each of us to live holy, Spirit-filled lives of loving people. In our church we help one another have Christ-centered lives, marriages, families, and friendships. God uses these relationships to attract unbelievers as they see Christ is real and working miracles in us.

Recently our church gathered in the mountains for fellowship. After lunch, we sang and read the word of God. Then we all took a hike through the forest, including Eric with a cast on his foot! We marveled at God’s creation, including this colorful moth on the forest floor. I hope you are looking for God in His creation and in His people! 

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

      

Prayer & Praise

Portsmouth These saints need your prayers! Raising children who know and follow Jesus is challenging for them. Some kids want to get baptized whereas others don’t even want to come to the meetings. Some need grace with their newborns, while others need grace with their teenagers. Pray for potential new members, Jesika, James, and Megan as well. One of the husbands, Josh, still needs to come to Christ. Thank you for interceding for them!

Carbondale Pray for their health. Sickness has kept Keiranna and others from attending. Pray too for Stephanie’s Bible study with her friend, Patty, to help her with eternal security.

Nashville Pray for the Lord to add to their number those who are being saved. My sister, Patty, printed her testimony tract and is enjoying passing it out! Ask God to inspire others to share Christ.

Conference (Oct 28-Nov1) Ask God to prepare our hearts to hear from Him and apply truth!

Atlanta Church Pray for Grace and Ward to know God’s plan for Fred and Will. They are considering changing their therapy for their Autism and ADHD. They need your prayers for the daily demands and challenges of raising these boys. Thank you!

Nelson Family Please pray for Ward and Nathan to find new jobs. Pray for Danelle and I to know how to support my mother as she ages and faces more limitations. Pray for Danelle to recover from her recent surgery so that we can enjoy our vacation next month. She is doing well so far. Praise God! 

I meet with Scott and one of his children each week to share what God is teaching us in the Word and pray for one another and the needs of others. The photo is of my grandson, Ian, reading my testimony tract on the way home after our breakfast. Encouraging!

Your fellow ambassadors,

Steve and Danelle     

   

        

 

wwww.reliant.org

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832   

www.gcmnelson.com                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

Nelson Newsletter - July 2025

 

Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 1 Peter 3:15

Dear Saints,

If you have developed a habit of doing a good deed, you will find yourself doing that good deed almost without even thinking. Over the years, Danelle and I have sought to develop the habit of sharing our testimony. Telling others how we came to faith in Christ comes much easier now.

It is important to understand that we are not talking about programs or methods as much as we are a heart for lost people. A passion to see others come to know Jesus through repentance and faith. Where does this passion originate? The love that motivates us comes from consistently sanctifying Jesus as Lord in our hearts. Sanctifying Jesus as Lord is a choice to trust Him in everything. It is giving Him control moment by moment. When we live deeply satisfied with our Lord’s love and forgiveness, we will be motivated to tell other sinners how they can know Him.

Here are some recent examples of our sharing Christ by using our personal testimonies.

A few weeks ago, our oldest son, Scott, and I had breakfast together. After we sat down, I offered Renata, one of the employees, my testimony tract. She was inquisitive and we had an open and honest conversation. She said she had left God after her mother passed away last year. Her comments and answers to our questions indicated that she was probably not saved. I offered to pray for her. When I finished praying, she said with tears in her eyes, “Can I give you a hug?” Pray for her to come to know our Lord and experience His love and comfort.

Carbondale Danelle and I went to visit David and Stephanie and the church in their home. It was a delight to meet Jeffrey and Kerianna (in the photo behind Danelle), the couple we have often prayed for, as well as some new members. The church met for lunch on Sunday. Then we sang, read God’s word, shared, and prayed together.

Another encouraging thing happened one evening when Danelle and I were sitting on the front porch with our grandsons, Nathaniel and Isaac. They asked Danelle how she became a Christian. She briefly shared her testimony. Nathaniel then responded with, “I was six years old when I became a Christian. But I was still very, very selfish! It wasn’t until I was eight that I began to change!” Then Isaac told us how he had trusted Jesus and was baptized. It was a special moment we will cherish for years to come. It happened in part because we pray for them by name each day. And, like the verse above says, we are learning to sanctify Jesus as Lord in our hearts. This results in our giving an account for the hope that is in us to many others. Every believer has a personal testimony to share! Be ready to share yours!

Nashville Danelle and I stopped on the way home for two days to visit my sister and her new house church. We spent several hours with them sharing our testimonies and how God has used us to spread the gospel around the world. Several couples have worked overseas and saw God do beautiful things through them! God has given my sister a group of people who love God and care for her spiritual wellbeing. Recently, she asked me to help her print her personal testimony tract so that she can begin to pass it out.  Her heart for lost people is inspiring! Praise God!

 

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale & Nashville Churches Please pray for both churches to develop strong marriages and families. Ask God to empower them to be testimonies of the risen Christ. Finally, pray for all of their children to come to faith in Christ and become faithful disciples.  

Our Fall Conference Everyone in the Nashville church decided to come to our fall conference! Pray for God to bring all those He wants to attend, and that He would lead and bless the time.

Atlanta Church Pray for us to faithfully share our testimonies and for God to save people!

Yours to testify of Christ,

Steve and Danelle         

 

 

          

                                                                                                                                                                     

wwww.reliant.org 

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - June 2025

 

 ^"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" Matthew 25:40

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Sometimes we see a need on TV and feel overwhelmed by the magnitude. The enormity of a need may cause us to shut down and do nothing. Then we may feel frustrated, guilty, or ashamed. Or we can do one thing for one person. Josh McDowell said, “Do for one what you wish you could do for all.” I think that is how God wants us to think and act.

I encourage you to start small. Today, who is the one unbeliever you can pray for to come to Jesus? Who is the one person you can serve? What is the one verse you can share with your spouse to encourage them? Who is the one person you can pray with today – your child, your roommate, your spouse, your friend, or a stranger? Of course there will be more, but start with one! Ask God to fill you with His Spirit to help you notice the needs and do the one good deed.

“Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unproductive.” Titus 3:14

Carbondale & Nashville (June 20-25) David and Stephanie invited Danelle and I to visit their church Sunday morning. We will go a few days earlier to spend time with them and our four grandchildren. On the way back we will stop in Nashville to meet with my sister Patty’s new church. We will arrive on Monday. Tuesday evening we will gather for dinner and fellowship. May God make it a fruitful trip! 

Granddad’s Animal Adventures Part 2 I have finished my new book, Granddad’s Animal Adventures Part 2 for children!  It contains 19 short stories for children aged 12 and up. It builds on the first book and is written for youth who have committed their lives to Jesus and are seeking to grow in their faith. This book would make an excellent resource for your summer reading, vacation, bedtime, or family devotions. Maybe you want to give a copy to your grandchild? You can copy and paste this link to find on Amazon. https://tinyurl.com/ynwpdc3z  God use it to impact many young lives for His kingdom!

 

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale & Nashville Churches Please pray for Danelle and I to listen, discern, and meet pressing needs in these churches next week. Pray for new friendships to form and for some of them to come to our fall church retreat. Pray for quality time with the whole Shirley family.

Family Grace and Ward’s twins, Fred and Will, turned 6 this week. They have come so far in their development! Praise God! They are now in a program that is helping them with communication and social skills. It took two years to get them in. Please pray for the Beardens!

Granddad's Animal Adventures - Part 2 Please ask God to get this book out to many young people. Ask Him to speak to their hearts and grow their faith as they hear His word. 

Our Support Our sincere thanks to each of you who give to and pray for our ministry!

 

Yours in Christ’s Unfailing Love,

Steve and Danelle  

 

     

 www.reliant.org 

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - May 2025

 

 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” Romans 10:14-15

Dear Ministry Friends, 

Who brought you the good news of Jesus? Who explained to you who He was and how to believe in Him? We are deeply grateful for them! However, many people today have not heard the truth. They don’t know how to be forgiven and begin a new life by repenting and trusting in Christ. We can tell them! They desperately need us to tell them! Here are some stories of people hearing the good news!

Carbondale Church, David and Stephanie continue to reach out with the good news. They had a new family join them last Sunday. This Friday they will meet with other like-minded house churches in their city to encourage one another in discipleship and evangelism. Pray for Stephanie’s friend Shaina and her family. They lost their house, cars, and business in a tornado last week. Thank God, the family is safe!

Virginia Church, They have several members or friends with serious health issues – Ellie had a miscarriage, and Jeff has Aphasia after his heart and kidney surgeries. Please pray for them!

An Open Door For The Gospel If a salesman comes to your front door, you might tell him to go away because it can be annoying. Or, you can see the open door as an opportunity to show him care and share Jesus with him. Anthony was trying his best to sell pest control services in our neighborhood. A very difficult job per his admission! I do my own pest control, being careful not to harm my honeybees. Instead of telling him I was not interested, and to buzz off (pun intended), I politely listened to him. I told him that I did all our treatment, and then I asked Anthony where he was from. His accent gave him away. I was surprised when he said he was from Pamplona, Spain! Danelle and I were part of a mission trip to Pamplona years ago to help our missionary friends, Dominic & Damaris Marrone. I shared Jesus with Anthony and gave him a copy of Secure In An Insecure World and Seguro en un Mundo inseguro, the Spanish translation. A lesson to learn: Be ready for the open doors God brings your way! They may not be obvious at first.

Our 50th Anniversary Danelle and I celebrated our 50^th anniversary on May 10^th with all our children and their spouses. We had a delicious dinner at our house. Our daughter, Merry, put together a Power Point with over a hundred old photos of the births of our 7 children, their childhood, and photos up to the present including our 22 grandchildren. We laughed, cried, and had so much fun remembering what God has done in the Nelson family. After that, Danelle and I le d everyone in praying over each couple. Then, they surprised us with tickets to Italy! It was a beautiful time where we felt much love and care! Glory to God!

Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for Anthony to read my book and understand the gospel and get saved! Pray for all of our unsaved family members to sincerely turn to Jesus for eternal life.

Virginia Church Pray for their health needs. Pray they would love and support one another.

Carbondale Church Please keep praying for Jeffery’s salvation, for new people to join them, and for unity and encouragement among the local house churches this Friday.

Family Merry’s husband, Nathan, got a job! Pray for Ward, another son-in-law, to get a job. Thanks!

New House Church A close friend believes that God wants her and a few friends to begin functioning as the church in a simple way. She has reached out to us for mentoring. Please pray for them to trust the Lord Jesus to build His church, read and apply His word to their lives, worship Him, love one another, and learn to build up one another in the faith.

Steve & Danelle’s Marriage Pray for us to encourage our adult children and their spouses as they seek to raise godly children. Ask God to save each of our grandchildren. The majority have made professions of faith! Ask God to help them mature as His disciples. Pray for us to keep learning and growing in Christ so we can mentor other disciples and see more healthy church families multiplied with those God has entrusted to our care.

Our Support Thank you very much for giving to our ministry! Please pray for God to supply our financial needs so we can continue the work of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. If you want to send a special gift, you can use the Reliant website (below) to find us (5951). Thank you!

 

Thank you for your love, support, and friendship!

Steve and Danelle  

 

                 

                                                                                                                                                                      wwww.reliant.org

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832   

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - April 2025

 

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. John 4:35

^“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38

Dear Saints,   

One does not need to be a farmer to know that when the crops are ripe you must be ready to harvest them before they spoil. If there are not enough workers and equipment ready to harvest, then a lot of work and money will be lost.

In the same way, Jesus tells us that the harvest is ready today and workers are needed. First, the workers need to lift up their eyes. This implies getting our attention off other concerns and noticing the people around us. We all look down and get distracted - even by good things. Then we need to look and see the ripe harvest of lost people all around us. Where are your eyes? Do you see the harvest? Ask God to give you His grace to resist the distractions and the desires of the flesh so you can see those around you who are deceived and need Jesus to be free. Finally, ask God to use you to love them, pray for them, and to boldly tell they the Good News!

Please continue to pray for Danelle and I to be active in God’s harvest. Ask Him to use us and our church to be faithful workers in the gospel in Atlanta, in Georgia, and in the Southeast.

Pastors - Wives Retreat (April 3-4) Our annual gathering at St. Simons Island was refreshening to our faith and friendships. Danelle and I drove to the coast to meet with fellow pastors and their wives for a rich time of fellowship, teaching, and prayer. The openness and honesty among my fellow leaders made us feel safe to share our burdens - needs that we may not share as freely with other believers. Our marriage was strengthened as we evaluated and sought God in prayer.

  Our Anniversary Danelle and I will celebrate 50 years of marital bliss on May 10^th! Well, it has not always been blissful, but there is no doubt God has been gracious to us! We sincerely love one another more than ever!!! The Holy Spirit, the love and prayers of the saints, and God’s grace, have enabled us to weather the storms and brought us closer together. After raising 7 amazing children, we are helping our 22 grandchildren have a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in their faith.

We continue to love the lost, share the gospel, train disciples, and long for Christ’s return! All the glory goes to Jesus! (We found this old photo of a young couple - but we don’t recognize them!)

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for Lydia to grow. She is a Ukrainian believer I met last week. We had a serious conversation about Ukraine and the gospel. She was very thankful to get a copy of Finding God to read.  Pray too for her husband, Mason, to come to know the Lord.

Portsmouth Church Please pray for one of the men who had stoke recently. Pray for closer relationships where openness and constructive criticism is welcomed.

Carbondale Church Ask God to help David reach Koffe, a guy at work. Pray for the unbelievers at the gym that he and Stephanie are befriending. Pray too for stronger relationships in their church that aid in spiritual growth.

Danelle’s Family Danelle said her time with her family was one of her best visits! Please continue to pray for those who are not saved yet, and for the health problems several have.

Nathan Our son-in-law was laid off and is still looking for employment to support Merry and their three children.

Steve & Danelle’s Marriage Pray for us to stay humble, keep trusting God, and remain united in love as husband and wife.  Ask God to empower us to be role models of a Christ-centered marriage to our family, our disciples, and to the lost. Pray too for us to remain healthy to be able to serve others. 

Thank you for praying!

Steve and Danelle  

 

                

wwww.reliant.org 

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - March 2025

 

“What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. Matthew 18

 

Dear Saints,    

Jesus was passionate about finding lost people. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) He went from city to city preaching the gospel to rescue lost souls. Jesus left heaven to find you and I! He died on the cross and rose from the dead to offer sinners eternal life! He saved us to be like Him, and to seek lost people and help them find Him. That is His mission for us today!

Jason I met Jason Saturday morning after my run by the river. He and his dog were getting into his vehicle to leave when we began to talk. He moved from Connecticut only a month ago. The Spirit of God guided our conversation to the gospel when he said he had attended a church service with neighbors and was searching for his purpose.  I told Jason how I came to Christ. I asked him a few questions to find out what he understood about God and the gospel.

One was, “Jason, if you were to stand before God and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into heaven,” what would you say?” His answer was perfect! Many times I hear, “I’m not that bad.” or “I have tried to be good,” or, “I go to church and help others.” In contrast to these self-efforts, Jason replied, “I don’t deserve it.” I replied, “You are exactly right! That is why Jesus came and died for you, because you can not earn eternal life.” We walked to my truck so I could give him my testimony tract with my email address. He expressed his appreciation for my time.

I asked, “May I pray for you?” He said he would like that. I prayed, “God, I ask You to help Jason know that You love him and that someday he would ask Jesus to forgive his sin and make him Your child.” When I finished praying and looked up, there were tears running down his cheeks. I said, “I hope that someday you will give your life to Christ.” He confidently responded, “I just did!” I was surprised! I was convinced of his sincerity. I hugged him and welcomed him to the family of God. Jesus said, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

Mother We celebrated mother’s 99th birthday all week! Sunday afternoon we had a party with all of our out of town children and grandchildren – over 30 people! My brother, Kurt, and my sister, Patty, also came to celebrate mom. She received many cards, gifts, visits and phone calls. She is much loved by so many! God has blessed her, and us!

 

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for our church to imitate Jesus by caring deeply about unbelievers. Pray for us to love them, get to know them, and boldly share Christ with them. Pray for Jason to grow!

Portsmouth Church Praise! Kirk and Caroline, former members of the Portsmouth church, are moving from Alaska to Louisville, KY. They will be closer to David and Stephanie, and may even be able to attend our fall house church conference!  

Carbondale Church    Praise! Jeffrey and Kerianna moved into a new house, and he has job stability! Pray for Ellie, a young lady Stephanie is befriending and hopes to share Jesus with.

Pastors -Wives Conference (April 4-5) Danelle and I will join pastors and their wives from our region. Pray for us to seek God, build one another’s faith, and enjoy rich fellowship together.

Danelle’s Family Danelle is excited about visiting her family in Pittsburgh (March 27-31). Pray for her to be filled with God’s love and wisdom.

Ward and Nathan Our sons-in-laws finished working on the TV show they were on. Now they need to find new employment in the movie industry. Ask God to provide for these families.

Thank you for praying!

Steve and Danelle

             

  

   

                                                                                                                                                                   

 wwww.reliant.org 

11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832  

 www.gcmnelson.com