Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Nelson Newsletter – October 2012

Dear ­­Fellow Missionaries,

Ukraine Mission Trip Thank you for praying for Danelle’s mission trip to Ukraine. She said, “I was delighted to have the opportunity to travel to Ukraine for a women's conference in early October. We were together for 4 days at a retreat center outside of Kiev. It was a special blessing for me because most of the women I was close to when we lived there were at this conference. Our speaker, Audrey Jose, used the stories of Rahab (a prostitute), and Esther (an orphan), as the basis of her teaching. Her messages obviously spoke to the ladi­­­es from the rehab centers and the young women who had been orphans.  This led to many deep conversations during our small groups sessions and free time, especially since I already knew the personal needs of so many of the women.  It truly was a gift of God for me to be able to be there and minister to some women that I dearly love.”

Danelle (center, 2nd row from top) with the ladies

 

Atlanta Drug Rehab Center Steve was invited again by our Russian friend, Maxim Bagdon, to speak at the drug rehab center in Canton where he works. It is always a pleasure to teach these young men the Bible and explain how God can change their lives, give them hope, and empower them with His love. They are eager to listen and interact with me, even speaking in Russian at times.

 

 

 

Clemson University Outreach Brian Bridgeman and I had a fruitful two days evangelizing on the Clemson campus together. I did some public preaching which led to some in-depth personal conversations, and even one student dumping water on my head. ☺ Two young ladies we met attended the church service the following Sunday. Thank you for interceding!

 

 

 

 

Prayer Requests

  1. Oct 25-26 Southeast Leadership Meeting in Columbia, SC.
  2. November 2-3 Conference. Teach students about marriage and relationships at NC State, using Secure In An Insecure World.
  3. Nov 4th Raleigh Marathon. On Sunday my daughter Grace & I will run the 26.2 miles. Her first marathon!

 

Yours in Christ’s love,

 

Steve and Danelle

Monday, October 1, 2012

Nelson Newsletter - September 2012

Dear Ministry Partners,

­­­Ukraine Mission Trip Danelle leaves Monday, October 1st to help with a women’s conference in Kiev. She will assist Kenyon Powers in serving women from the rehab centers, post orphans from Kiev, and others from the churches in Odessa and Kiev. Danelle will also spend time with numerous women she discipled while we lived there. She will ret­­­urn October 9th. Pray for a safe trip and a fruitful time!

Atlanta House Church God has been answering your prayers for the ministry at Emory University. A few weeks ago a student named Abe gave his life to Christ! It is curious how God works when the circumstances aren’t what we expect. This young man was the only new person to show up to our first meeting, when we thought there would be four or five. Somewhat disappointed, I decided to begin by sharing my testimony. Forty years ago some Clemson students asked me, “Steve, if you died today, would you go to heaven?” I told them I was unsure, and I really didn’t know how. Then I explained to Abe how I turned from my selfish life to Christ, surrendered control to Him, and from then on I knew that I was going to heaven. The Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 God says we can be sure of going to heaven, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

I asked Abe how he would answer that question. He didn’t think he had eternal life, and thought he had to earn his place in heaven. He revealed to us that he had been very upset over his failure to obey God, and it became obvious to us that this was a Divine appointment and God had prepared his heart. We explained to him the gospel of grace, and he responded by asking God to forgive him for his sins and for Jesus to save him! My son in law, Ward, has joined us in this outreach too. Please pray for Abe to grow and for many other students to be saved.

Clemson University Outreach I was invited by GCM staff Brian Bridgeman to join him in evangelizing on the Clemson campus October 4th and 5th. I will do some public preaching too. It has been many years since I have spoken on the college campus, so your prayers for Brian and me, and for those we meet, are coveted! Thanks.

 

Yours in Christ’s love,

 

Steve and Danelle