Nelson Newsletter - December 2018

Merry Christmas!

It is with deepest gratitude that Danelle and I write to you today for your loyal friendship, effective prayers, and faithful financial support of our work in the gospel. You all have made this year one to celebrate and praise God for! Here are a few highlights from 2018…

Atlanta House Church God blessed our church family tremendously in 2018. We had babies – physical and spiritual! For a parent, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing your own children follow the Lord Jesus. "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." (3 John 1:4)

Eric & Sarah Morris saw all three of their children come to know Jesus as their Savior in 2018! Our church celebrated their new birth with a baptism & picnic in September.

Alex & Oksana welcomed Amy into their family in June. Her two brothers are excited to have a sister! This year dozens of other friends and family members also heard the good news of Jesus from us, and a number of them began a relationship with Him! To God be the glory!

                                                                                             

                                                     Southeast Region

Clemson Ministry Danelle & I continue to work with Brian Bridgeman at Clemson University. In February we led a retreat (photo left) for students about God’s purpose for our lives. God showed up and hearts were touched!

We returned in June to spend several days with Berk and Barbara Wilson and the LINK team sharing the gospel with students. Steve went to Clemson again in November to meet Brian & share the good news and then lead a discussion with the young men Brian is training. Here is a photo of Brian with Shaw, one of the young men he mentors.

David Henson Our dear friend and fellow missionary went to be with the Lord in March after a battle with pneumonia. David was a compassionate servant to everyone he met! He was a good friend of ours for many years, especially when Danelle, Grace, Merry, and I lived in Ukraine. Please keep praying for his wife, Mindy, who continues to serve God in Ukraine.

Florida Churches Danelle and I were invited by the pastors to minister to the church in Gainesville in April and St. Petersburg just last weekend. In both situations they faced challenges that come with change and needed encouragement to trust God with their future. We were able to sit with a number of folks and listen to their concerns, encourage then with God’s faithfulness & His promises, and to pray with them. Ask God to lead, comfort, encourage, and help them take steps of faith to follow Him in 2019.

Nelson Family Our family continues to grow. Stephanie and David just found out the exciting news that they will have their first girl in May, 2019 to go along with their three sons. Danelle and I praise God for all our children, their spouses, and the 15 grandchildren. We must exercise so we can keep up with them!

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                             Prayer Requests

1. Regional House Church Conference Please pray for our January 25-27, 2019 House Church Conference. We are excited that Wayne Jacobsen is coming to speak to the churches from Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina who will attend. Ask God to give us hearts to learn and grow, and to strengthen the relationships among our churches in the region.

2. Faithwalkers Conference On December 27-30 Danelle and I will again travel to Asheville to teach a seminar on Enjoying Evangelism - how we can build relationships with those who don’t know our Savior and enjoy it!  Ask the Lord to give everyone a heart to learn and for the speaker to be Spirit-led. ;-) Pray for all those speaking and the 600+ attendees to encounter the Living Christ and lives to be transformed.

3. Florida Churches Please ask the Lord to encourage and lead our fellow believers in Gainesville and St. Petersburg. May they listen to His voice and follow Him in 2019, knowing His love and grace is enough.

4. Our Support Thank you to each of you who have supported us in 2018! God has provided for our needs through many of you. If you wish to give a special gift in December, or become a monthly partner in 2019, simply follow this link: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson?newGift.  Of course you can always mail your gift to the address below. Every gift is greatly appreciated!

Thank you for being our friends in ministry,        

Steve & Danelle   

                                  

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - November 2018

“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Acts 26:17-18

Dear fellow sojourners,

Who do you know who needs to be rescued by the Lord Jesus, like Paul was, and receive the forgiveness of their sins? What are their names? The Lord has sent us (all of us) to help open their eyes to the beautiful new life in Christ! Bringing people to faith in Christ, starts with sincerely caring for others. Let’s ask the Lord to give us His compassion for those in darkness as we used to be. Remember where you came from!

Atlanta House Church

Our church has been reading Ephesians together. Paul reminded them, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”  (2:1-3) Remembering our past life helps us be humble, thankful, and empathize with unbelievers. Our church is remembering so that we care for others!

Regional Leadership Meeting I went to Columbia, SC a few weeks ago to join my fellow church leaders. We shared what God is doing in our churches, families, and personal challenges. Then we prayed for one another’s specific needs. We also discussed “The Disciple Making Process” we use in our respective churches. Pictured here with me is our long-time friend and fellow pastor, Robbie McAlister from South Carolina.

                                                                                                 

                                       

                                        Prayer Requests

1. Atlanta Church Pray for Ace, our lifeguard, to come to know Christ. He is reading Secure In An Insecure World and is coming over for dinner this Friday. Pray for our church members to remember our past so that Christ’s compassion will motivate us to build relationships & rescue unbelievers here in Atlanta.

2. Regional Need Pray for God’s wisdom and grace for Danelle and I to help a church in our region that is having some problems. We have been asked to come alongside to meet the needs.

3. Alice Nelson Pray for my mother’s eye to heal. She has lost sight in one eye and is receiving injections to promote the healing.

Thank you for being our partners in the rescue,        

Steve & Danelle   

                                    

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com     

Start With The End In Mind

Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations....” - Matthew 28:18-19

If any project, business, or mission is to succeed, it must be started with the end in mind. There will need to be constant reminders of what the goal (or purpose) is throughout the process if it is to stay on target and finish well. Finally, there will also need to be course corrections as we stray from the mark we aim for, or find better ways of reaching the goal.

In the same way, we must start with God’s end in mind for us. What is His ultimate purpose for you and every person on the planet? God’s purpose is to save us and then transform our lives to be like Christ. He wants to use every circumstance, hardship, difficult person, unexpected financial challenge, and responsibility to make us like Jesus Christ. Know this! His plan is for you to be a mature disciple and to make other disciples.

If every child of God is to be a mature disciple and to make disciples, how does one make a mature disciple? Have a discipleship class? Begin a discipleship program? God chose the church as His method of discipleship, “that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church” (Ephesians 3:10). A healthy body has healthy parts. God has chosen to equip and build His body, the church, by “the proper working of each part.” How do Christians grow and mature? “The whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:16).

Keep the end of making mature disciples in mind, and then every decision you make will reflect that purpose.

Nelson Newsletter - September 2018

                             

“Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too.” (Acts 14:27)

Dear Friends,    

Paul and Barnabas reported to the church everything God had done on their recent mission trip. It was God who saved lives and made disciples, not these apostles, and they knew it.

God is doing things in and through all of us today! “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Phil 2:13) Here are some ways God has been working through us recently.

Eric baptizing Natalie, Clara, & Luke

Atlanta House Church Our church celebrated the new birth of Natalie, Clara, and Luke Morris with their baptism on a beautiful September morning! Their father, Eric, baptized his children as we all rejoiced. Then we gathered under a shelter to read the Scriptures, pray, and worship the Lord together. While we were under the shelter, a peaceful summer shower appeared as an added blessing. It was also a blessing to have our friends, Alla and Alek, come up from Warner Robins, Georgia to celebrate with us that morning.

You may remember that we baptized Eric a few years ago in the frigid Chattahoochee River. Apropos for the occasion: “The jailer brought them into his house and set food before them, and he rejoiced greatly that he had come to believe in God, together with his entire household.” Acts 16:34

 Granddaughters. Danelle and I had a delightful visit with our daughter, Julie, and her family in NYC. We took our granddaughters, Jasper and Emilia Dewey, to Massachusetts where Emilia learned how to ride a bike! We went swimming in a few magnificent lakes, ate lots of tasty local ice cream, read Count Zinzendorf’s inspiring biography (we highly recommend it), went to a local auction for fun, had discussions about baptism and salvation, and ate more ice cream - just because we are the grandparents! God gave us many sweet memories. J

                                                                                                  

                                       

                                     Prayer Requests

1. Atlanta Church Pray the parents in our church to love and train their young children well. As you know, it is becoming more difficult to raise godly children in our society. They need God’s grace.

Sveta is one of our church members and long-time friend. Her father died last week after being sick for many years. He and his wife have been living in the war zone of eastern Ukraine. Her mother plans to continue living there. Please pray for Sveta’s mother’s relationship with God, as well as for God’s comfort for Sveta and her entire family.

Pray for my friend, Elmer to come to know Christ. He is a father with three young children, whose wife left recently left them. Pray for her salvation and the restoration of their marriage. Elmer is currently reading Secure In An Insecure World in Spanish. Here is the link if you know someone who needs a good book about marriage: http://tinyurl.com/yb4dc2wy

2. NYC Family Please pray for our 2 granddaughters, as they start new schools, to find Christian friends. Pray for our daughter, Julie, as she makes some important business decisions and looks for a new church. 

In front of Jasper's new school

Thank you for being a vital part of what GOD is doing!         

Steve & Danelle  

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - August 2018

“But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” (Acts 8:3-4)

Dear Fellow Ambassadors,     

Saul persecuted the early church – binding them and hauling them off to prison. How did they respond? Did they give up? Did they run away in fear? No! They continued to preach the good news about Jesus as He had commanded them. Everyone, not just the leaders, were active in spreading the word. They were all ambassadors! Their love for God and for lost souls drove them on, even in the face of death.

What effect does Christ’s love have on your relationships with unbelievers? How can you be more effective in evangelism? Here are some ways we have spread the gospel through our church and ministry…

Tworek Wedding Thank you for praying for the wedding of Danelle’s niece two weeks ago.  Kelsey and Eddie’s ceremony glorified Christ and the gospel was clearly presented. We also had many gospel conversations at the reception.  Please pray for this new couple to continue to seek God. Pray for them to follow up people who had spiritual interest sparked from their wedding.

Atlanta House Church We are excited to report that all three of Eric and Sarah Morris’s children (in photo below) have made professions of faith in Christ and want to be baptized. September 9^th we are going to lake for the baptism and a picnic to celebrate their new lives in Christ! “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Trip to NYC & Massachusetts. Danelle and I leave this Saturday for New York to visit our daughter, Julie, and her family. We will take our granddaughters, Jasper and Emilia, to my brother’s cabin in Massachusetts for 5 days. Ask God to give us grace to show them Christ’s love.

                                                                                                                                        

                                     Prayer Requests

1. Eddie & Kelsey Ask God to help this new couple to find good fellowship, to grow in their faith, to strengthen their love for each other, and to have wisdom for raising Eddie’s two young sons.

2. Atlanta Pray for our church to be captivated with the Lord and His love for us. Pray that we would sincerely love unbelievers, build relationships with them, and boldly share Christ as often as possible. Pray too for the baptism, September 9^th, to be especially meaningful to the three Morris children.

3. NYC Family Pray for Danelle and I to have quality time with our daughter Julie and her family from August 25-September 1^st. We are taking our 2 granddaughters up to Massachusetts for 5 days during this time.  

Thank you for faithful support!         

Steve & Danelle   

  

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com     

God Is Never Surprised

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people.” Luke 22:1-2

Surprises can be good or bad, wanted or unwanted, painful or pleasant. We are surprised by an unexpected check in the mail, meeting a kind client, or a cheerful server on a rainy day. On the other hand, a change in the weather that ruins our plans, or an unexpected illness or bill, are surprises we wish we could avoid.  How can we prepare for surprises and not become discouraged by the bad news or feeling prideful that our abilities made something good happen when things were unexpectedly positive?

Jesus was going to be betrayed, beaten beyond recognition, and then crucified. He was not surprised. He was never surprised because He was God and knew the future. He also knew there would be a victorious resurrection and the purchase of a bride made from sinful people! Knowing the future gave Him courage to face the present trials, as well as the future betrayals, and abandonment by His best friends.

You do not know the future. But then again, you actually do! If you are a Christian, you know that you will be raised to eternal life with Christ! You also know the One who knows everything about the future! You can live with consistent hope, courage, and optimism when difficult surprises come by trusting God who knows your future and loves His children. You don’t have to be caught off guard or discouraged when nasty surprises come. Your God was not! 

Remember, He has you in the palm of His hands. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28

Nelson Newsletter - July 2018

'Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.' Prov. 31:10-12

Dear Friends,     

Marriage was ordained by our Creator for our edification and pleasure, as well as for proliferation and the joy of raising children to know and love Him! Marriage is sacred and holy. Godly marriages and families are the foundation of the church and our society. No wonder Satan is constantly attempting to destroy them. Enjoy reading how Danelle and I were privileged to participate in a Ukrainian wedding, family activities, and a future marriage.

Alla and Alexandyr, and his son, Daniel

Wedding In Georgia We met Alexandyr 20 years ago when he and his sister came to our house in Canton to bring us some gifts to take to Ukraine on one of our mission trips. A few years ago we found out he was going through a painful divorce. I was able to travel to central Georgia to meet with him, comfort and encourage him, and help him commit his life to Christ. Last year Danelle and I met Alla in Kiev during a mission trip. She wanted our counsel about a young man named Alexandyr who lived in Georgia – yes, the same Alexandyr! They got to know one another through Skype as well as Alexandyr went to Kiev to meet her. They grew closer and decided it was God’s will for them to marry. They called and asked me to do the ceremony. It was beautiful service. It was also the first marriage I had translated into Russian! Please pray for them to grow in Christ and have a strong marriage. Alla doesn’t speak English and has never lived in America, to go along with the challenge of just getting married! We hope our Ukrainian friends in our church, Alex and Oksana, will be able to reach out to them and help them adjust.  

Wedding In Pennsylvania Danelle’s niece is getting married August 11^th and asked if I would perform their ceremony. We were honored and heartily agreed! We also explained to them how we want every couple to have a good marriage that will last a lifetime. Therefore, we always have premarital counseling with the couple to help them start well. So, for several months we have enjoyed encouraging sessions on Skype with Kelsey and Eddie. Their desire to honor God and put Him first in their relationship has been refreshing. Please pray for this new couple to continue to seek God first and His purpose for their marriage. They need God’s grace as well as our prayers and support. 

Grandchildren Summer provides more opportunities to spend time with our grandchildren, and this month has been fantastic! We have been to the Botanical Gardens, Fernbank Science Center, swimming numerous times, and had many cookouts and walks together. Our granddaughters from NYC, Jasper and Emilia Dewey, were able to spend an entire week with us. We had great discussions about spiritual birth, God’s character, and read a biography of Lillian Trasher. (We had never heard of this woman before. It made us realize that there are thousands of fruitful Christian heroes whom we have never heard of that we will meet in heaven. May that be us as well!!!) The girls were so captivated by her life that they didn’t want to stop reading! They were eager to learn to pray out loud, as well as to read the word of God! Our times praying together were so rich that they reminded us why God gave us children! 

 Steve, Danelle, Jasper, & Dewey

                                                                                                                                         

       Prayer Requests

1. Alexandyr & Alla Ask God to help this new couple to find good fellowship, and to grow in their devotion to one another.

2. Atlanta Pray for our friends pictured here, Abel Israel, Abel, and his wife Francesca. We enjoyed dinner together at a Mexican restaurant recently. The parents are believers, but Abel Israel isn’t yet. We have shared Christ with him numerous times over the years. We continue to meet weekly with his parents to read the Bible and pray together. Pray for our lifeguard, Ace, who is reading Steve’s book, to trust Christ as his Savior. Pray too for our church to continue to become a close family that reflects Christ’s love to our community.

3. Family Pray for the upcoming opportunities this summer to build our children and grandchildren’s faith in God. Ask God to save the grandchildren who don’t know Him yet, and to help the kids who know Him to grow stronger in faith. Pray for their parents to disciple them and be good examples to them. Pray  too for Eddie and Kelsey who will be married August 11^th in Pittsburgh. Pray for their love for others to grow as a result of their growing relationship with Jesus.

Thank you for your love and prayers!         

Steve & Danelle    

wwww.reliant.org 11002 Lake Hart Dr, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32832    www.gcmnelson.com