Kevin’s Testimony

(Kevin is a new member of our church who gave his life to Christ this past spring.)

Angry, Lost, and Lonely

My parents were Christians who instilled many wholesome values in me as a child, but I didn’t have a real relationship with God.  I questioned my faith and God early in life, but instead of embracing the Bible, or calling out for help, I ended up wandering aimlessly.

I was in middle school when I began a confirmation class at our church. I sat in class with my peers but still didn’t absorb the spiritual truth that I would soon need. Shortly after our class ended, my grandmother passed away. Heartbroken and lost, I began to spiral out of control.  Not too long after my grandfather followed her. My anger and bitterness drove me away from the idea of a loving God. I believed that everything that went wrong or caused suffering in the world was the result of a God who didn't care.

I met people with different beliefs, others with no belief at all. I tried to understand the reasoning behind their beliefs in attempt to validate my own. I was too wrapped up in giving my own reasons and explanations for how things were to even realize what was happening to me. I was becoming increasingly sad, lonely, and empty. At times I would find myself washed by waves of depression. I could smile and laugh around friends and family, but when I was alone I felt empty.

I found a new job as a lifeguard. God had His hand on me, even though I was unaware at the time! Shortly after starting my new position, I became friends with a number of the participants. One couple in particular reached out to me and helped me seriously think about my faith. One day Steve asked, "If you died today, where would you go, heaven or hell?" At first I was defensive and not receptive to what these two were trying to do for me. I found myself repeating the same old platitudes when I saw pain and suffering in the world. The difference was that I was beginning to experience guilt for the way I thought.

A year later they asked: "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" I still hadn't, but not because I didn't want to, but because I believed I couldn't. I was ashamed of everything I had said and done to belittle the works of God. "I'm just a tiny man" I thought. What place did I have to question or even try to explain all that He had done with mankind? I spent a year thinking about it, but I still didn't know how to go about saving my soul. I truly thank God for my mentor and his wife who never gave up on me! I was asked again if I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I said "I really want to." Three days later I asked God to forgive me and surrendered my live to Christ. From that day on my life was changed. I finally stopped running and made the choice to be born again (the spiritual birth). “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) Like a breath of fresh air I feel as though my life has been renewed! I'm able to appreciate God's love and guiding hand that brought me this far and that will continue to guide me as I grow and move forward on my new spiritual journey.

If you would like to know more, please contact me. Thank you!

Kevin Ware Shinuyami2@hotmail.com

Nelson Newsletter–November 2014

“Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” Ephesians 3:20

The Rock Miami God did abundantly beyond what we expected with almost 200 attending our “Finding the Love of Your Life” seminar in Miami. Danelle and I were encouraged by their sincere desire to know God’s plan for relationships and marriage. We used Secure In An Insecure World as the basis for our two days of teaching. The church members, like Fernando and Lily pictured here, were most hospitable. We felt the love of Jesus through Alfred, Jerry, Freddy and all the saints! God is alive in Miami! They just celebrated 40 years of ministry this week. Pray for God to make many more followers of Jesus Christ and strong marriages throughout that city.

Pittsburgh Danelle visited her family the following weekend. God gave all of them some rich times of fellowship, lots of laughs (not a surprise if you know anything about the O’Tooles!), and much love. Thank you all for praying. Your prayers make a difference in eternity!

House Church Conference On Nov 21-23^rd (this weekend!!!), our house church will join Larry and Corey Messer and their house church from Gainesville, Florida for a retreat near Savannah, GA. Matt and Jan Gordon from Gainesville, as well as Andrew Hendricks from South Carolina, will also attend. Please ask God to lead us together as we seek to know Him better and make Him known more effectively in our communities. We will spend time alone with God, enjoy our families, make new friends, and study His word together.

Grandson Isaac I finally got to meet our 9 week old grandson Isaac (his name means “he laughs”). He is beautiful! Here’s  a recent photo of the growing Shirley family.

Prayer Requests House Church Conference. (Nov. 21-23) Ask God to lead our time by His Spirit, to meet pressing needs, to transform lives and marriages, and for more laborers for the harvest in Atlanta and Gainesville. Please pray we would be encouraged and envisioned.

Thanksgiving with the Newtons. Danelle, Merry, and I will be in NYC with the Julie, Matthew, Jasper, & Dewey over Thanksgiving. Please pray that we would have a rich time, make some good memories, and all give sincere thanks to our great God and King for all His gifts!

Yours on His mission,

Steve and Danelle

Are You Ready For Jesus?

For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Matthew 24:44

Several times today I realized that I had not been paying attention and missed my opportunity. If we are not ready, we can miss out on what we want, what we worked hard for, and dreamed about. In my case, I missed catching a few trout because I was either daydreaming or preoccupied with the calm beauty of the river this early April morning. I told myself, "Pay attention! Be ready next time!" I did not know which cast would produce a strike where I would have to instantly set the hook.

 

In the same way, Jesus is telling us to be ready for His return, because we don't know when it will occur. But we know He is coming! Therefore, remind your fellow Christians to be ready for Christ's imminent return. If we help one another stay vigilant, we will live soberly, make wise choices with our time and resources, and live for the eternal welfare of others. We won't let the opportunities to share Christ with the lost, or to serve the saints, catch us off guard.

Secondly, pray every day for the Lord Jesus to come back. "He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20 Be ready for your Lord to return every moment of every day! "The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer." 1 Peter 4:7 If we constantly remind others to expect Jesus's return and we pray for it, this will profoundly impact our lives, and make us ready - whenever He should appear.

September Newsletter

Dear Friends, Jesus Christ has been building His church here in Atlanta! We have seen each part (member) doing their own special work to help the other parts grow. Kevin and Victoria have both been attending our gatherings, infusing new life with their sincerity and eagerness to learn. This is an answer to your prayers. Praise God!

                                                                                                                    Ward, Victoria, & Kevin

The Rock Atlanta This Sunday (9/21) Danelle and I will speak at the English and Spanish services of the new Rock Church in Atlanta. Pastor Mandy Fernandez will interview us about marriage. Please pray.

Miami Danelle and I have been invited by the Rock Miami Church to teach our seminar on Relationships using Steve’s book, Secure In An Insecure World. We will be there October 31-November 2^nd Steve will also speak to the church on Sunday morning in their new facility.

     

Pittsburgh Danelle will be visiting her family November 7-10. Please pray for her time to be relaxing, fun, and to build many good memories. They don’t get to see each other often.

House Church Conference November 21-23 Our house church will join the Gainesville, Florida house church for a retreat near Savannah, GA. It will be time to relax and be alone with God, enjoy family, make new friends, seek God together in prayer, and learn from the teachings.

Growing Family Stephanie and David welcomed Isaac Stephen Shirley into the world on September 7^th! Isaac and I will now share the same birthday. He and his mother are doing well. Danelle was able to drive down to help them for the first week. Isaac is our 11^th grandchild! We had better keep exercising so we can keep up with them!

                     

Pastor’s Conference I will join fellow pastors in the Southeast in Clemson, SC for our regional meeting October 17-18. It’s always a pleasure to be with men of like heart to follow Christ!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

1. Kevin and Victoria. We rejoice that they have been attending regularly. Pray they would keep growing in faithfulness, and they come to our house church conference in November.

2. Danelle. Please pray for her to have an excellent time with her family in Pittsburgh from November 7-10.

3. The Shirleys. Praise for baby Isaac! Pray for God’s grace for their family to make adjustments and get sleep. Pray for David’s job situation too.

4. Timmy Powers. Please pray for him as he is in Ukraine now until October 15^th training leaders. Pray for his wife Kenyon to stay encouraged while he is away, and for her health.

5. Our Finances. Thank you to those who have given special gifts recently! We are not out of the woods yet, but on our way! Thank you to each of you who give so faithfully. We love you all, and could not do this without your partnership!

6. SE Pastors Conference Pray we would encourage & build one another (Oct. 17-18).

7. House Church Conference. Ask God to lead our time by His Spirit, to meet pressing needs, to transform lives and marriages, and for more laborers for the harvest in Atlanta and Gainesville. Pray that all would leave encouraged and with fresh vision from God.

Yours on His mission,

Steve and Danelle (GO TIGERS!)

Worship Services or Worshippers?

Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. John 4:20

I receive much of my inspiration while praying and worshipping God when I am running with my daughter Grace. Early one Saturday morning while running along the river, we discussed how we sometimes equate worship to a limited period of time, a specific place, or an event that must be led by a specific person. Do you ever wonder why these are conspicuously absent in the New Testament?

The Samaritan woman embraced this view of worship: "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." But Jesus gently corrected her: "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father" (John 4:20-21).

You are a worshipper-always, everywhere you go. Don't be fooled into thinking that your relationship with God must be limited to a few hours a week at a certain place, led by a special group of people. It is who you are!

Nelson Newsletter August 2014

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
    Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalm 107:2

Greetings Dear Saints! We pray that you are telling others Christ has redeemed you! Danelle and I have had many opportunities to “speak out” to believers and unbelievers alike this summer. Thank you for making this possible through your support and prayers. Some of the highlights…

LINC Danelle and I taught the students in the Atlanta LINC program, our third LINC this year. Their enthusiasm for our Lord, and their desire to bring others to Him was contagious. Steve enjoyed teaching the Orlando staff and interns (photo above)) about the church, one of his passions. Not sure what Mark Groff was smiling/laughing about in the photo below. –

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

1. Praise God with us for Kevin’s spiritual growth! We meet weekly to read the word and pray. He told me last week while we studied Paul the apostle, that he was so thankful for God sending me as an apostle to him. I am too! Thanks to you all for making this possible. Please continue to pray for Kevin to develop a heart for others.

2. Danelle and I had a delightful time this summer with our daughter Julie, and granddaughters, Jasper and Dewey from New York (photo right). Danelle was able to help Julie continue her sewing business, while we all had times to go for walks, swimming, and even a trip to the beach with Scott and Maria’s family. We miss them already.

 

3. Our daughter, Meredith, has a new job starting next month! It is only a temporary job with her current employer Habitat for Humanity, she will have more income, and it could lead to permanent employment. Merry thanks God for His provision!

4. Danelle and I have been able to Skype weekly with Katia in Spain and Rocio in Mexico! As many of you know, we lost touch with Rocio (photo below) for months after she returned home to her daughters. Both of these women are young believers and need your prayers for growth and to lead their families to Christ. Please pray for God to give us wisdom to build into them, and for local fellowship.

Yours on mission,

Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter–July 2014

Orlando LINC Danelle and I had a delightful time with the students in Orlando last week. It refreshes our hearts to see young people who are serious about following Jesus and sharing their faith with others. We joined them several times to meet UCF students, and tell them how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God gave us many quality conversations with students open to the gospel. I also taught several seminars. Please pray for those we met, and others they will contact this summer, to experience God’s love from a new birth.

Kevin. Danelle and I left Orlando left Orlando on Saturday morning in time to join our house church for a special evening event. Our new brother in Christ, Kevin Ware, was baptized June 14^th in the Chattahoochee! He obeyed the Lord while our house church, and his girlfriend Victoria, gathered to support and celebrate. We praised & thanked our risen Savior, who continues to forgive sinners and give them new life - eternal life! Then we enjoyed sweet fellowship during a cookout at Grace and Ward’s place on the river.

   

GCC Pastors Conference I joined several hundred pastors in Kansas City for our annual pastor’s conference. Josh McDowell (on left) came to speak to us about communication. Josh was instrumental in my becoming a Christian in Clemson 41 years ago. Danelle and I heard him speak about the family in Ukraine (right) about 6 years ago when we served there as missionaries.

                             

Prayer Requests

1. Please continue to pray for Kevin’s spiritual growth, and for his desire to share Christ with his friends and family.  Pray for Kevin and Victoria to serve God and others together.        

2. Pray for our time with our daughter, Julie, and granddaughters, Jasper and Dewey. They will be visiting in Georgia for 6 weeks.                                                            

3. Pray for our house church to grow deeper in our devotion to Christ, one another, and the lost.

Yours on mission,

Steve and Danelle