Nelson Newsletter - December 2024

 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Dear Friends,

God is the consummate Giver! He is Love, and love always involves giving. What has God given you? His best. His all. His Son! Please don’t wonder if you are important, valuable, or loved! God so loved you that He gave His Son to die on the cross to save you from judgement. He rescued you and made you His child! Praise Him! May your heart overflow with praise and thanks this Christmas season! Live loved! Live free! Live with the Prince of Peace!

Thank You Danelle and I are grateful for how you have given of yourselves for us and those we serve. Your prayers have changed lives. People have heard the Good News because of you. People have come to know Christ because of your prayers and financial support. The leaders and the churches we serve have been encouraged because of your faithfulness. Thank you!

Atlanta Church Our church has been able to help with the physical and spiritual needs of Ukrainians in 2024. Our gifts have helped local pastors minister to the widows and orphans of soldiers, to risk their lives to bring food and supplies to the heroes on the front lines, and to share the Good News of Jesus with many hurting people, including the soldiers.

Here is a recent example of how meeting a physical need opens hearts to Jesus. This letter is from Luba, a Ukrainian grandmother who cares for her grandson. Her own words were translated by Igor, a friend of our ministry.

Lyuba Anatolyevna

The family of Lyuba Anatolyevna is registered with the social services center of the Pereyaslav city council. This means that Lyuba is a grandmother who is in a difficult life situation, which has been recognized at the city level.

From time to time, social services try to help this family. But they cannot help with firewood, since it is expensive.

Lyubov is raising her grandson, Bogdan Mironovich, on her own. At the beginning of the war, Bogdan’s mother went abroad with her older son, leaving her younger son Bogdan with his father. Now the father has recently died. The family is in a very difficult financial situation and needs social support. It is very difficult to call the house where Bogdan lives with his grandmother a home. Everything looks very old and unusable.

The grandmother cannot give her grandson anything more than her care and love.

Lyuba is very grateful for such help, the purchase of solid fuel for the winter. For her, this is a great blessing and an unexpected gift.

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church, Please continue praying for Grace and Ward as they raise Will and Fred. They are enrolling them in an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) program. ABA will help them with anything from feeding themselves, to longer attention spans, to helping them regulate their emotions. Thank you to those of you reached out to them, letting them know you are praying!

Ukraine, Pray for the war to end with a fair and just settlement. Pray for God to meet the overwhelming physical, emotional, and spiritual needs for these people who have been battered and abused. They have needs that only the grace of God can meet. Pray for the soldiers to have resolve and courage especially during the harsh months of winter. Pray for many salvations!

Retreat In 2025 The house churches in Virginia, Illinois, Florida and Georgia are planning to meet for a retreat in 2025. Pray for God to bring everyone He wants and transform lives.

Ministry Support, Danelle and I are deeply grateful for your prayers and support in 2024 for our work. As the year comes to an end, would you please consider a special year-end gift, or becoming a monthly partner by visiting the Reliant website: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson.

Thank you for giving! 

Yours, because God gave us Jesus,

  Steve & Danelle                

 

  wwww.reliant.org 

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

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - November 2024

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

Dear friends,  

God anointed us to bring the good news to those who afflicted and broken because of sin. Jesus sets prisoners free today - just as He did for us! Here are some exciting mission efforts!  

Carbondale Church David (center of photo) and Stephanie continue loving people, sharing the good news of Jesus, and making disciples. Here is a photo of their recent meeting at Jeffrey and Kerianna’s house. They are truly grateful for your prayers!

Portsmouth Church VA. They are seeking God and building up one another’s faith. One couple just suffered a personal hardship. They appreciate the support of their friends in the church and value your prayers as well.   

Atlanta Church Recently, Danelle and I have been encouraged by the desire of our church members to grow in faith. Last week one of the brothers shared his request to change and be a more “effective doer of the word, not merely a hearer.” After his transparency, the Spirit of God led us in an edifying discussion. Many  people were open and vulnerable and some shared relevant Scriptures. The letter we included in this newsletter was read to us that morning by our daughter, Grace Bearden. Hopefully your heart will be touched and moved to pray for her and Ward as they raise their twin boys. I know they would greatly appreciate your intercession on their behalf.

                                                                            Ward, Will, Grace and Greg

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for Grace and Ward to trust God to supply love, strength, and wisdom to raise their sons. Pray for Will and Fred to come to know Jesus. Pray too for our church to boldly bring the good news to family, friends, and strangers over the holidays.  Pray for open hearts!!

Carbondale Church Pray for Stephanie and David to be anointed to “bind up the brokenhearted” that God leads them to. Pray for Kerianna and Jeffrey - they must find a new home and move unexpectedly.

Portsmouth Church Ask God to comfort those who in their church who are "afflicted," to increase their love for each other, and to use them to bring the good news of Christ to the “prisoners” of sin they know.

Jacksonville Church Please pray for my friends, Larry and Paul, who are leading a house church in Jacksonville. They need God’s love, wisdom, and courage to build His church and multiply disciples there. We have had several encouraging phone conversations recently, and plan to continue to minister to one another.  

Ministry Support Thank you to those of you who supported our work this past year! We are grateful for our prayers and gifts. If you want to give a special year-end gift, or to become a monthly supporter, please visit the Reliant website: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson. Thank you!

Thank you for interceding!

(Here is the letter that Grace read to our church a few weeks ago.)

Confident In Christ

By Grace Bearden

I always thought I was confident in my relationship with Christ. Through the years, however, it feels like it is constantly tested. From the economy tanking when my husband and I graduated and needed jobs, to the most difficult, struggling with infertility. I watched all 4 of my sisters get pregnant, and was THRILLED for them, but still struggled. “But why not me?”

We prayed about adopting, but that market seemed flooded and not for us. We prayed about fostering to adopt, but our friend let us know it usually takes 5 years to be placed. So, we chose the craziest of all - fostering whatever kind of placement they gave us. We received twin boys when they were 5 days old. Their mother was a drug addict. For 2 years, we met with their grandmother, and then the mother, not knowing what the outcome would be. Finally, we adopted Fred and Will in 2021.

You would think the ups and downs of adoption would be hard, but no. Raising my boys has been! I always knew their frontal lobes were underdeveloped and flight or fight would trigger. Fred has run across 3 lanes of traffic, scratched innocent children out of fear, doesn’t do large crowds, can go to the zoo to watch the railroad crossing arm for 1 hour, but he has no interest in looking at animals, breaks all the things including his own toys. 

Will struggles with HUGE emotions and even “hated” his best friend, Elijah, for about 6 months over a minor offense. When he is hurt, he REALLY hurts back. When embarrassed, it’s like the world hates him. 

It’s been incredibly lonely. Very few people want to be around children like mine/ours. At times, the struggle with parenting has completely shaken any confidence I used to have in Christ. Why me? Why these kids? How dare I even think that.

Fred was diagnosed with high functioning autism recently. I didn’t think that would shake me the way it did. I felt ALL the feelings (emotions?): Will was diagnosed as level 1 Autism and ADHD. Due to the number of prayers and support we have received; this news was only affirming. Affirmed (I’m not crazy!), scared (what does this mean?), a little offended (how dare they label my child), guilt (could I have done more?). We have signed the boys up for ABA and are hopeful they will get the help they need.

I’ve been praying for confidence and here is what God says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Heb. 4:16

“So, we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Heb. 13:6 

 

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Heb. 10:35-36 

That’s why, when I read “Take heart” means to be encouraged and confident I knew it was for me. 

Jesus saw the paralytic and called him son, saw the bleeding woman and called her daughter. He gave them a new title and told them to be encouraged and confident. 

I want to reclaim my title, to be restored, and reclaim my confidence in the Lord. 

I also found myself wanting to sing it over my boys. I want them to have that confidence. I want them to know they are not mistakenly made because they are different, but precious, beautiful and wonderfully made.

We hope this letter encourages you to pray for the Beardens to be confident in Christ  and to have compassion for others in similar situations.

Yours in Christ’s love,

  Steve & Danelle                

  

                                                                                                           

wwww.reliant.org 

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

 www.gcmnelson.com

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                 

Nelson Newsletter - October 2024

 

  “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19

Dear People of God,

God’s passion is people! Jesus came to seek and to save people. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 Jesus Christ died on the cross to save people because He loves sinners. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 People are precious to God. Therefore, people should be precious to us! All people! “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 Danelle and I are in the people business - because God is!

Carbondale Church Jesus equates loving Him with loving people. He asked, “Do you love Me Peter?” Peter answered, “Yes Lord, you know that I love You.” Jesus replied, “Then feed My sheep.” He also said, “If you do it unto the least of these, you do it for Me.” The church in Carbondale is currently loving Jesus by helping meet the needs of people who are hurting financially. Stephanie continues to disciple the women in her church and the church in Portsmouth, VA. Christianity is all about people!

Atlanta House Church Danelle and I have been friends with David and Mylinda Lyons (photo below) since I was their pastor in Woodstock, GA many years ago. We met for dinner a few weeks ago to catch up and encourage one another in the Lord. They have been faithful to love people, share Christ, and make disciples. They have also been loyal partners of our ministry for many years.  We are blessed to have so many close friends, like the Lyons, who share God’s passion for people! Thank you for your passion for people! May God continue to grow our love for those in darkness by the power of His Spirit!

 

 

 Prayer & Praise

Atlanta Church Pray for God to save John (I met him at Lowes recently. He is now reading Secure In An Insecure World), Steve, Didi, Ward’s brothers, and others we have shared Christ with recently. Pray for Grace and Ward (Bearden) to reach their lost neighbors. They are having “Beardenfest” for their neighbors this weekend with that goal. The song by Steve Green said it so succinctly, “People Need the Lord!” You may want to pull it up on YouTube and listen to it!

Carbondale Church Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead Stephanie and David and the church to know how to help those in need and that God would use their gifts to bring people to Jesus. Pray too for Kerianna and Jeffrey’s health, as well as Jeffrey’s salvation.

Portsmouth Church Ask God to comfort those who have lost loved ones recently. Praise God for one man, Tim, who gave his life to Christ right before he passed away!

Pastors Conference Please pray for our conference, October 24-26, in Jacksonville to be led by the Spirit so that needs would be met, everyone would be edified, and our relationships strengthened. Pray for us to know Him better so that we will discern His plans for our people.    

Thank you for being prayer warriors!

Bringing People to Jesus with you,

  Steve & Danelle                

 

 

 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100

Orlando, FL 32832  

wwww.reliant.org  

www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - September 2024

 

“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13  

Dear Ministry Partners, 

I hope you are doing well and encouraged by our Father’s love! Last month I wrote about being prepared to share Christ with unbelievers. This month I focused on plans.  God has awesome plans for each of us! He says we must pray and seek Him to know His plans. Notice that the goal is to find Him! Find God and your find His plan!

God’s plan is to: 1. Save us through repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 17:20-21). 2. He begins to transform us after the new birth and receiving the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2) We grow our relationship through faith and obedience.  His plan is to transform our character to be like His Son (Ephesians 4:11-16). Our transformation is part of His plan to use us to bring more people to faith Christ. All of this brings Him glory.

Carbondale Church I get excited when I see God’s plan of transforming lives taking place! Last month we wrote about Keianna’s baptism. This week she volunteered to host their gathering!  Stephanie and David asked that we continue praying for her husband Jeffrey to come to Christ. He lost his new job with the city police department, but David helped him find a position with the campus police! God is revealing Himself to this young man!

Atlanta House Church Danelle and I attended our annual neighborhood Chili Cookoff last week. While we were walking over, we asked God to open opportunities to share Christ with receptive people. He did! Here is how His plan unfolded…

Steve is a neighbor we have known casually for a few years. He came over to talk with me at the food table and shared about his recent search for God. I could sense that something was deeply troubling him, which had fueled his recent desire to find God. He was seriously searching.

Steve was raised Catholic, so he asked his priest what he should do. He told him to read the Gospels. But I sensed that he had not found a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus yet, so I said, "Do you know that God is also searching for you? Yes, He is! He loves you and wants you to find Him. I wrote a book about God searching for us called, Granddad's Animal Adventures. It has 24 short stories about God revealing Himself to us through His creation. You may want to purchase a copy." Steve quickly responded, "That sounds perfect! My six-year-old daughter and I are finishing up a book now. I will order a copy so we can read it together."

A few days later, God put it on my heart to take Steve a copy. He was not at home, so I wrote him a note in the book and left it by his back door. Here is his text, “Got your book yesterday! Thank you so much. I’m excited to share it with Didi. I was just reading your lovely note to her which you wrote on the flyleaf. Almost out of nowhere, she started asking me all kinds of questions about God on Saturday. We are wrapping up our current book, so this is right on time. We are looking forward to enjoying it!”

 (Danelle and I captured this double rainbow recently. It reminded us that God keeps all of His promises to fulfill His plans! Genesis 9:8-17, Numbers 23:19)

 

 Prayer and Praise

Steve & Didi Ask God to use my book, which contains a clear presentation of the gospel, to save them. Pray for more interaction with them soon. Ask God to use you to share Christ. He will!

Atlanta Church Pray for God to equip us for ministry as we read and discuss Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. Pray that we would all have unbelievers on our hearts.

Portsmouth Church Stephanie and David need God’s grace to raise their four children and love one another. They want to be good examples for the church to follow. Ask God to save Jeffrey!    

Pastors Conference Please pray for our conference October 24-26 in Jacksonville to be led by the Spirit so that needs would be met, everyone would be edified, and our relationships strengthened. Pray for us to know Him better so that we will discern His plans for our churches. Thank you!

Planning to see Jesus,

  Steve & Danelle               

 

 

                                                                                                             

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

  wwww.reliant.org /  www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - August 2024

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil… and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:10-11,15

Dear Saints, 

I have heard these statements hundreds of times, “It must be spiritual warfare!” Or “It seems like a spiritual attack!” My reply has been, “When is it not? We are constantly in a war.” There are no time outs. We have no peace treaty with our enemy. Therefore, we must prepare each day by putting on the full armor of God. We can not leave off one part of the armor and expect to survive, just as a soldier would not leave his helmet or gun back at camp. Preparation means being ready for anything and everything that we sincerely expect to happen.

Part of our preparation for spiritual warfare is to have the gospel on our minds and in our hearts ready to share with unbelievers. Always and in every situation – prepared! How? Preparation begins in our hearts. It comes from experiencing God’s love each day. His love for us was demonstrated at the cross. When we live loved by God, we will want to love lost people because He does! The best way to love lost people is to tell them about God’s forgiveness and the new life Christ offers them! “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:23 Are you prepared to proclaim the gospel of peace? Here are some people who are active in spreading the gospel…

“My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long.” Psalm 71:15

 Carbondale Church David and Stephanie befriended Kerianna and her husband Jeffrey last year. Kerianna chose to make Jesus her Lord and Savior several months ago! Last week she decided to get baptized, even though the thought of going under the water scared her! 

Pray for Kerianna to continue growing in Christ.  They think Jeffrey may also be saved now. Please keep praying for their marriage and family!

Atlanta House Church God has been opening our eyes to the opportunities to share Christ every day with those we meet. We have asked Him to prepare our hearts to sincerely care about others. This has often led to sharing our testimonies and the gospel. 

A few days ago I asked Miguel (he is about 50) “What do you plan to do for the holidays? Will you stay here or go home (to Mexico)?” His reply saddened me, “I don’t have any family here. I have not seen my family in Mexico in 12 years. I am going home in November to get some dental work done.” I went on to share the entire gospel with him as he listened intently and responded to my questions. Ask God to save this lonely man! He too has Secure In An Insecure World in Spanish, which contains the gospel.

My prayer for you is to share Christ by 1. Asking God for a heart for others. 2. To boldly share the gospel. Write your testimony tract, take it with you and give it to everyone you can. Carry gospel literature (New testament, Gospel of John, and Christian books) to give to open people. Share your testimony. Build friendships, serve them, and share Christ with them. God has divine appointments for you!  Pray for lost people by name and expect God to use you!! He will!!!

Prayer & Praise

Our Family. Jasper is at Tulane in New Orleans! After months of visiting numerous colleges, sending out dozens of applications, and much prayer, she chose Tulane. They have a very good engineering school, and she is on the track team with a significant athletic scholarship. Her classes started today! Please pray for her as she wants to find serious Christians to fellowship, and that she would   be a strong witness to her 3 suitemates and her teammates on the track team. God has prepared her for such a time as this! Now she needs our continued intercession. Pray too for Julie and her sister, Emilia, to grow in Christ as they adjust to life without Jasper around.

Portsmouth Church The saints in this church are growing in their commitment to God and one another! Stephanie continues to have a rich time studying the Bible virtually with some of the wives. Your prayers are effective!         

Preparing to see Jesus,

  Steve & Danelle               

  

 

 

 wwww.reliant.org 

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

www.gcmnelson.com