“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”  Philippians 3:20 NLT

 

Dear Children of God,

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Did you know that Patrick was actually British? He was 17 when he was kidnaped by Irish raiders and held captive for seven years. During that time, he had an encounter with God while working out in fields. Patrick escaped and returned to England. But God had different plans for him. God sent him back to Ireland where he spread the gospel of Christ for 40 years. He died in Ireland on March 17, 461. What can we learn from how God used the trauma in Patrick’s life? Here are two more examples of God’s wake-up calls. Romans 8:28

Trauma, isolation, illness, death, as well as birthdays, weddings, and other major events can cause us to stop, listen to God, and evaluate our lives in light of eternity. God got my attention recently as I had vertigo and my blood pressure was 193/89 one night! I was not sure if I would make it. God used that trauma to remind me of my mortality and to refocus on His purpose. One more event…

God uses birthdays to get our attention. We will celebrate my Mother’s 100^th birthday on March 13^th! We are deeply grateful for her influence on our lives! We don’t want her to leave us, but we know there will be a day when she departs. She is a citizen of heaven! We want her to eagerly wait for Jesus to return and take her home. Are you eagerly waiting for Him to return for you? It is soul-cleansing to do so! Come Lord Jesus!

GA Outreach Last week I went to Athens to join my good friend, Rich Suplita, to share Christ with students on the UGA campus. We had several in-depth gospel conversations, especially with a coed named Morgan. She was very excited to get a copy of Secure In An Insecure World to read! We also passed out my testimony tract on and off campus. I always enjoy my fellowship with Rich! His heart for people is refreshing to observe. We enjoy our own a non-stop conversation for hours about sharing Christ, building the church, and making disciples.

 

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale Church They have twenty-five people meeting with them now, including two new families. Pray for them to come to know Christ. Pray too for the youth to take ownership of their faith and to help one another grow during their gatherings.

Springfield Church Praise - Mike’s father is better! Pray for people to get saved and join them.

Virginia Church Pray for them to grow in their devotion to Christ and love for one another.

Atlanta Church Pray for more opportunities for me to meet with Nick. He is sharing the gospel with Eric, a co-worker. Eric was raised Catholic, and is sincerely seeking to understand that salvation is by grace and not by his own efforts. It’s exciting to watch God work in their lives!

UGA Students Pray for Morgan & the other students we met to turn to Christ for eternal life!

Looking for Jesus’ return,

Steve and Danelle    

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Several of the students we met

 

 

 

 

        

www.reliant.org

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

Nelson blog: www.gcmnelson.com      

Nelson Newsletter - February 2026

 “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

 

Dear Followers of Christ,

Valentines is a popular event in February. The average amount spent on cards, gifts and meals is about $200. Wow! Is the love we receive proportional to the amount of money we spend on others? The lyrics in an old Beatles song seems apropos. “Money can’t buy me love,” One would think we must have figured it out what works by now! Unfortunately, our relationships show the opposite.  So what can bring us love? What is love and how do we find it? What can we learn from God about love. After all, “God is love.”

As followers of Christ, we realized that we were selfish and not able to love sacrificially as God loves. It was not within our nature. We asked God to save us from our selfishness in response to His loving us first in our helpless condition. See 1 John 4:19 above. God loved all sinners, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Now that we are His children, we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to deny ourselves and put needs of others ahead of our own. “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 We can now practice this kind of love, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 This is real love! The kind of love that people are longing for! 

Atlanta House Church We continue to pray for God to give each of us a personal goal and how to live it out in practical ways. We are also sharing Christ with people in our community. It is the most loving thing we can do for others! Recently, I met DJ at LA Fitness. He was preparing to teach swimming lessons to his class. We had an open and honest discussion about how to be saved by grace and not by our good deeds. I expressed my desire to meet up soon for further discussion. He gave me his number, and I hope to see him soon to follow up!

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale Church Stephanie met a young woman who wants to visit their church. There is also a homeschool family who wants to come one Sunday. None of them are Christians yet.  

Springfield Church Mike’s father has health problems. Pray too for people to come to Christ.

Virginia Church Pray for Josh’s high blood pressure. A friend of Sarah’s, Ellie, just had a miscarriage. Pray for God’s comfort and care to be real to her and her husband.

Atlanta Church Pray for more opportunities to get with DJ, and that God would save him. Pray too for Grace and Ward’s two six-year-old son’s, Will and Fred, to come to know Jesus. Pray for some of our members’ adult children to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and follow Him.  Finally, several of our members have elderly parents with significant health needs. Pray for God’s wisdom and grace to love and serve them well.

Nick – He finished his testimony tract. Most importantly, his love for the lost has grown, and he has shared the gospel on his own initiative! Pray for Nick and his wife to keep fishing for men!

Yours in Christ’s sacrificial love,

Steve and Danelle    

  

  

        

www.reliant.org

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

Nelson blog: www.gcmnelson.com      

Nelson Newsletter - January 2026

 

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Dear Friends,

Each New Year is a new opportunity to seek first God and His Kingdom. Matthew 6:33-34. It is a time to evaluate what we are doing, why, and in what ways He wants to mature us. “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 Pray for God to motivate Danelle and I with the love of Christ to seek first His Kingdom in 2026 and help others to do the same. May God grow your faith as you too seek Him first!

Atlanta House Church We are taking this month to evaluate our lives and ask God to help us follow Matthew 6:33. We are asking God for a specific goal for each of us and how to live it out in practical ways. Here is a recent illustration of seeking His Kingdom first.

A few months ago, I went to see our dermatologist, Ann, for a checkup.  I had been going to her practice for several years and we had developed a friendship. She is single, so I had suggested she read my book, Secure In An Insecure World. During the exam she found a suspicious area on my ear and did a biopsy. She said they would call me immediately if there was anything serious. I left praying for her to come to know Jesus. 

After a few weeks without a call from the office, God put it on my heart to take a copy of my book to Ann. She was excited and thankful to receive the book. I said, “I guess I am okay since I never heard from you all?” She stopped, stared at me for a moment, and said, “No. I want you to see something.” She showed me on her iPad that I had cancer and needed Mohs surgery. Apparently, someone forgot to call me. I think, since I was seeking God and His kingdom, He was watching out for me. I had the surgery and all is good.  Lesson to learn: Always seek first God and His Kingdom and He will take care of you!

                                                                           After My Ear Surgery

Prayer & Praise

Carbondale Church They have been unable to meet due to illness. They are studying Thessalonians remotely until they get well. Ask God for their healing and for spiritual growth.  “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.” Psalm 119:145

Springfield Church Pray for people to get saved and to help them multiply disciples.

Virginia Church Pray for Sarah and Josh. She has started homeschooling their oldest twin boys. Pray too for Jeff. He has a new job that is physically challenging for his poor health.

Atlanta Church Pray for Daniel Moore. He is a young man I met a few weeks ago who made a profession of faith last year. Pray for his passion for God and His word to grow so he can overcome sinful habits. I met his mother, Mary, last week. She was excited to hear about my involvement in her son’s life.  Pray for me to be an effective mentor.                                                              

Nick – We have met a few times to discuss evangelism and how to write his testimony tract. Pray his love for the lost to grow so that he will boldly share Christ. Pray for his new marriage.                                              

Dr. Ann - Ask God to use my book to bring her to faith in Christ. I will see her in March.     

Finally, pray for our church to seek God in 2026 - to know His will and follow Him fully. Ask God to use us to bring many others to know Christ and to make faithful disciples.

Thanks for your support and prayers! We begin the year in a healthy financial place! Praise God!

Yours in Christ’s love,

Steve and Danelle    

        

www.reliant.org

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

Nelson blog: www.gcmnelson.com   

   

                                                                              Nelson  Christmas