Nelson Newsletter - October 2007

Pastors Summit
The European Pastors met in Germany for our annual summit to discuss our vision and core values because we are forming Great Commission Europe (GCE). We all agreed that God wants us to be starting churches that will reproduce and reach Europe with the gospel.

We committed ourselves to God to plant self-supporting, missionary churches that are led by nationals. We enjoyed the rich times of prayer, fellowship and discussion.
Awaken
The European Churches have a conference every two years called Awaken. We will gather in Germany from January 2-6, 2008 where our Pastor’s Summit was just held. We are asking God to bring 300 young people from all over Europe to this event. Danelle, Merry and I will attend and we have invited some friends from Russia too. Please pray for this to be a life-changing time!

Ukranian Elections
Last month’s parliamentary elections appear to be positive, but you never know around here. (smiley) There was a 62% voter turn out. President Viktor Yushinko and Yulia Tymoshenko may work together in a pro-Western coalition. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian party are still very much alive and well. Russia has pressured Ukraine recently by using Ukraine’s gas debt as leverage.
English Club
Eight new people have attended our English Club. They are an enthusiastic group of young people. Please ask God to open blind eyes and reveal Himself through us.

“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”   John 15:11

A distinguishing mark of a Spirit-filled Christian is joy. The joy that comes from Christ living in us, and the Holy Spirit empowering us, sets us apart from the world. The devil is constantly trying to rob you of this joy. Don’t let him! A joyful Christian will encourage believers and the lost will see Jesus in us and be converted. Joy is attractive! Christ is attractive! Choose to obey God and rely on the Holy Spirit so that His joy will be in you. This is God’s will for you and glorifies Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always!


Yours in our Savior’s love,



Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter - September 2007

Kickoff English Club
Danelle and I met with our friends Vlaude and Lena last night to plan our English club. We will begin this weekly outreach on Tuesday, September 25th. We ask you to pray for God to bring new people and draw them to Jesus. We already have several new folks who plan to attend.
Ukraine Elections Soon!
Ukraine will have national elections September 30th, about the time you read this letter. Please pray for Ukrainians to care enough to vote, to believe they can make a difference and understand that only Jesus Christ can provide real hope! They need a revival!

Moscow Marathon
My friend Ivan and I traveled to Moscow where I ran the Marathon and he ran the 10K. Ivan is a lawyer and a new believer. We had rich fellowship during our travels, shared the gospel with numerous people and saw God answer our prayers.

It rained very hard and the wind was blowing like crazy during the marathon, but God gave me grace to finish in four hours. We met my friend Julia in Moscow. She became a Christian in 2003 in Belgorod during the English class. It was so good to see her growing strong in Christ. She was so hospitable to us that I told her we could see Jesus living in her. Praise God! Then we went to Belgorod to visit Svetlana, my first interpreter, and her family. Sveta became a believer in 1994 and is also growing in her faith. God has blessed her and her husband Max (far right) with a new baby named Uliana (in grandfather’s arms)!

Please pray for:

• European Pastor’s Summit
• Mentoring the leaders at Spring of Hope Church
• Open doors for outreach at the Sports School
• Perseverance in learning Russian
• Merry and the students at KCA to grow in Christ
• Julie and Jasper’s visit to Kiev in October

United with you to reach Ukrainians with the gospel,



Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter - August 2007

Pray for Ukrainian Missionaries
Danelle, Merry and I leave Atlanta, Georgia on August 17th to return to Kiev, Ukraine to serve God by spreading the gospel of Christ. The gospel is a message that brings hope and peace to people who are lost, dead in sin and deceived by Satan. It is about how to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ - the Savior of the world! It is about real freedom. It is beautiful! Thank you all for sending us on this mission. We want to be more effective in reaching out, loving and helping Ukrainians own the mission, God’s mission. We need God’s grace and we need your fervent prayers! Specific requests:

1. Pray for our team to be more catalytic. We want to start new English clubs, new churches and empower and train new Ukrainian leaders. Pray for boldness.
2. Pray for Danelle and I as we work alongside young couples to evangelize their friends and neighbors using their apartments so they will take more ownership.
3. Pray for the outreach at a local Sports School near our home. I have a good relationship with some of the coaches. We want opportunities to be with students.
4. Continued perseverance in learning the Russian language.
5. A great Senior year for Merry and wisdom for her choice of college.

Your prayers are crucial to our success. We are expecting God to work! Pray for Ukraine Government
President Yushenko dissolved the parliament this spring and there will be new elections in September. Please ask God for a peaceful and fair election and for Ukrainians to not be apathetic but to vote. Pray they would also understand even good government is not the hope they are looking for. It is a crucial election and could affect our work in Ukraine!

Summer with Family
Our summer was a wonderful blessing. First of all, we were so thankful to be with my parents, our children, and our perfect granddaughter, as well as many of you. In June, Steve and Merry went to JH Ranch in California through the generosity of a good friend and had some great bonding time together. We went to the beach with Steve’s family, a family reunion in Pennsylvania with Danelle’s family, the mountains with our children, and have eaten the summer away. We look forward to walking it all off in Ukraine. Whitney’s premier art exhibition at Timothy Tew Gallery in Atlanta was a big success in July and we couldn’t be prouder. As we separate again, please pray for us as we are more aware than ever of the spiritual battle for our lives – if Satan can’t get us to quit he can get at us by targeting our family.




A Funny from my friend Will: “What do you get if you cross an insomniac, an agnostic, and a dyslexic? Someone who stays awake at night wondering if there really is a dog.”

Nelson Newsletter - May 2007 (Spring!)

Spring in Ukraine
Spring is especially welcomed here in Ukraine because it signals the end of the long, cold winter! These are some pictures I took at the Botanical Gardens last weekend. Although ironically, it is snowing as I write this on May 2nd!
Russian School Ending
We are approaching the end of our two years of Russian school. We have finals at the end of this month. It has stretched our faith and our minds!

 

English Club
We have enjoyed reaching out to our neighbors with the gospel through our English club each week. Here are some photos in our home. The young couple on the left, Vlaude and Lena, recently discovered they will have their first child in December! We’re men-toring this couple from Spring of Hope Church.
Relationships
We continue to build relationships with Alexander and Sveta at the pool, Nadia, Anatoly, Bakrom and Feruz at the market, and our neighbors Natalie and Vlaude.
Summer Plans
We are thankful for the opportunity to be in Atlanta this summer. Our daughter Merry will be working at Foundations for the Future. Merry and I will also go to JH Ranch for a Father/Daughter Adventure. My brother and sister have highly recommended JH Ranch from their experience. Merry will also attend GCM high school Leadership Training (LT). I will travel to Missouri to attend the Great Commission Pastor’s Conference. Of course we will visit family, friends and churches. We hope we can see many of you saints!.

“As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3

Please Pray for these needs. Thank you!

• Russian School: We would do well on the final exams at the end of May.
• Political crisis: President Yushinko dissolved parliament and has called for new elections in June. We are safe, but there is a serious struggle for power that will affect many.
• Salvation: That God would open the hearts of all of those mentioned above.
• Merry: That her summer work experience would build her character. That LT would build her faith. That JH Ranch would knit our hearts closer to Jesus and each other.
• Summer: That God would give us quality time with our children, family and friends.
• Support: Thank you for supporting us! Your gifts make it possible for us to serve here.

 

Yours to reach the lost and make disciples,

Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter - March 2007

 
Spiritual Life in Ukraine
President Victor Yushchenko attended Epiphany celebrations on January 19th. He joined many Ukrainians plunging into the icy Dnieper River to ensure that their year will be prosperous. In his speech, the President said, “On this day, we speak about spiritual purification. Today, we are cleansing ourselves with the blessed water. Ukrainians have always believed this curative water of the Jordan helps end quarrels and hatred, envy and rancor. I really want this Holy Epiphany to heal and unite our souls, help us prosper and bless us with health.” This gives you an idea of the religious environment we are working in. Many Ukrainians do not know how to have a personal relationship with God based on simple faith in the work of Christ on the cross. There are many rituals that cloud the issue and salvation is often confused with doing good works to earn eternal life.
Russian Class
We returned to Kiev on Sunday and started back to school on Monday! Forget jetlag! We are working hard in our Russian class to learn this difficult language. God has helped us and your prayers are effective. Thank you! We only have three more months. Yea! We can relate to the following story.
A Polish immigrant went to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) to apply for a driver's license. First, of course, he had to take an eye sight test.  The optician showed him a card with the letters:

'C Z W Y X N O S T A C Z.'

"Can you read this?" the optician asked.  "Read it?" the Polish guy replied, "I know the guy!"
English Club
Starts Danelle and I started a weekly English Club a few weeks ago in our apartment to reach out in our neighbors. There are six coming so far. Two of these are a young couple from our church, Vlaude and Lena, that we are working with. Please pray for hearts open to God’s love and spiritual births!

Scott and Maria

Matthew and Amanda

Two Son’s Married
We had a wonderful month in America, with the highlight of our visit being the weddings of our two sons. We celebrated Christmas and New Years and visited with many of you. We also moved all of our possessions out of Scott’s house. Matthew graduated from the University of Georgia. My father fell and was in the hospital for a week recovering from a fractured jaw, broken teeth and a cut lip. He recovered remarkably, praise God! Then I had knee surgery the day after Christmas. Other than that, it was a quiet and restful time!

Please continue to pray for my work with the leaders of Spring of Hope Church, our English club outreach and our Russian. We are learning to trust God and His word as never before. “With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”  2 Chronicles 32:8

We appreciate your love, support and prayers. We are a team!

Love in Christ,

Steve, Danelle and Merry

Nelson Newsletter - November 2006

	First Grandchild!

Jasper Louise Newton came into the world, reluctantly, on October 12, 2006, over a week after her due date. But, our daughter Julie did very well. She had a lot of support from her husband Matthew, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and uncles. God has blessed us with this precious life!
Long Lost Friend Seven years ago, while on a short term trip to Simferopol, Ukraine, I met 15 year old Alla on the sidewalk. Our team was waiting to go inside for our evangelistic meeting when I just said “Hi” to Alla as she walked past. She and her friend stopped and talked with us. After I returned home, we corresponded back and forth for a year and I wrote to her about God’s desire to have a relationship with her through Jesus Christ. I prayed for her often, and the following year when I returned to Kiev, she came up for a visit. Shortly after her arrival, she prayed and invited Jesus to be her Savior and Lord. It was beautiful! God had prepared her heart. I heard from a friend that she had married a Christian and they had a son. Unfortunately we lost touch. When we moved to Kiev last year I wrote to her but never received a reply. I assumed we would never meet again this side of heaven. Well, last week she called! She was in Kiev and wanted to come see us. I was shocked! She came over with her sister Anya and we had a wonderful visit. She told us that a few years ago her husband left her for another woman. She also said that her father died two years ago. We prayed before they left and Alla was in tears. She hugged Danelle like she was her own mother! Please pray for Alla and her son. Pray for her sister Anya who probably is not a believer and lives very close to us. Anya cuts hair and Danelle is planning on seeing her soon to get her hair cut.

Mentoring Leaders It has been a great joy to spend time with the leaders of Spring of Hope Church. They are men who are eager to seek God and do all that He desires for them and the church. I just meet with them again last night. I came away excited and thankful for men who are serious about living for Jesus Christ and loving His people and the lost. Pray for them please. Soon we are going to start the elder evaluation process with four of these leaders to see if they are ready to be appointed as pastors. We need God’s wisdom and grace.
Evangelism Opportunities I have had opportunities recently to share the gospel with numerous people in restaurants (Alexander), in the market (sisters Anya and Larissa), in our home (Vlaude) and even over the phone to a friend (Natalie) in Russia. Please pray for these people to place their faith in Christ! After the conversation with Alexander (with my friend Victor interpreting), I was freshly reminded that this is why we are here. This is what life is all about - giving people an opportunity to go to heaven!” Victor enthusiastically agreed.
Weddings on the Horizon Our two sons will be getting married, December 9th and January 5th. Danelle, Merry and I are going back for the weddings. Please pray for our sons and their wives to start off depending on Christ and walking in the Spirit. Thanks!
Thank you for making it possible for us to serve our Lord here in Ukraine! Please consider us in your end of the year giving plans and pray about helping us with a special gift at this time of the year. Make your gifts out to GCM – the address is on this page.

 

Thanks for your prayers and support - We need you!

Steve, Danelle and Merry
www.gcmnelson.com

PS Please continue to ask God to help us learn Russian so we can reach out with confidence. It’s hard! ☺

Nelson Newsletter - September 2006

4th of July Picnic in Ukraine

Summer, Language School and Mentoring
This summer we had an opportunity to speak in several churches and visit personally with many of you when we returned to America. Recently we started our second year of Russian language school and so far things are going pretty well. This fall I will be working more with Spring of Hope Church – speaking occasionally on Sundays and working with the church leadership team. We are thankful for this opportunity to help this church while continuing our Russian studies.

The Hot Biscuit Race

Girls Off to College
We came back to Georgia to take Grace to Shorter College in Rome where she is majoring in voice. We also took Stephanie to Athens. She transferred to the University of Georgia where she is majoring in Math and Math education. We enjoyed speaking and visiting with our friends at Downtown Community Fellowship in Athens too.

Matt and Amanda

Weddings on the Horizon!
Our two sons Scott and Matthew both got engaged while we were at home this summer! Scott will marry Maria Rodriguez in Atlanta on December 9th and Matthew will marry Amanda Helton in Athens on January 5th. We are very thankful for these two godly young ladies and look forward to having them in our family! We plan to leave Ukraine in time for my father’s 84th birthday December 7th.

Scott and Maria

Next we will celebrate Scott and Maria’s wedding. Matthew will graduate from the University of Georgia on December 16th. Yea! We will enjoy Christmas and New Years with our family, followed by Matthew and Amanda’s wedding in early January.

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22

Prayer Requests:

1. The birth of Jasper Louise, Julie and Matthew’s daughter, in October.
2. We need God’s help to learn Russian.
3. Our two son’s marriages. God would prepare them and their spouses for a lifetime of love for each other and devotion to Christ and His cause.
4. Grace and Stephanie adjust to college life and mature in their faith.
5. Our GCM team would understand God’s plans for us in Ukraine and grow closer to each other. We would be devoted to prayer, evangelism and training leaders.

Your fellow ambassadors,



Steve, Danelle and Merry