Steve’s Testimony

                                 Great Expectations

Have you ever gone down a path only to find out later on it was not what you expected?                                                                                                      

I lived to play soccer! It was an exciting, non-stop, action sport that I was good at! I followed several of my high school teammates from Atlanta, Georgia to play at Clemson University back in the 70’s. My best friends were on the team. I was living my dream, but something was missing in my life, and I couldn’t identify it.

I began the year with high expectations. It didn’t take long before my expectations crashed and burned as I sat on the bench, week after week, and watched my friends play. Little did I know God was using this to get my attention. I was surprised at how angry I was at the coach and jealous of my teammates. Conversely, when I got to play, which only happened once in my freshman year, I was happy. Why were my emotions tossed up and down by my circumstances? Because I was my own god! When I got what I wanted, when I wanted it, and how I wanted it, then I was happy. If I didn’t get my way, then I was angry, depressed, or jealous. This self-centeredness is what the Bible calls sin. This sin separated me from God and real life. I discovered that freedom from this selfishness and resulting guilt only came through Jesus Christ.

Some students explained to me that God loved me so much that Jesus died on a cross for all of my sins, which were many. Then to prove He was God, he miraculously rose from the dead, and now lives in heaven. The Bible says, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, that no man should boast.” I received the free gift and gave Him complete control of my life when I was nineteen years old.

Jesus Christ has far exceeded my expectations for over 40 years! He has given me the strength to love others more than myself, and I know I am going to heaven when I die!

Would you like to know God personally and know you are going to heaven? Please contact me if you have any questions.

Steve S. Nelson steve.nelson@gcmweb.org

Nelson Newsletter - January 2014

Faithwalkers December 27-31 Danelle & I went to Asheville, NC to participate in the annual Great Commission conference with 800 students (photo below). Our marriage seminar went well, with many deep questions at the end. Brian Bridgeman had asked Steve to assist him with teaching, “How To Avoid The Comparison Trap.” At the last minute, Brian’s little girl got sick, and he and his wife had to take her home. God gave Steve much grace to teach the entire seminar to an enthusiastic overflow crowd. Praise God! Thank you for praying!

A Personal Testimony Have you ever noticed how personal testimonies are constantly used on the radio and television to sell products from dog food to diets, from cars to dating services? People testify as to the effectiveness of a product or service. Hard to beat that! We listen. We remember. Often, we buy!

The Apostle Paul shared his personal testimony of his conversion with everyone who would listen. It was often the starting point for preaching the good news of the gospel to Jews, Gentiles, prisoners, Kings, and everyone he met. “But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.” Acts 18:5

We are going to include a testimony tract in each newsletter for the next few months, for your edification and inspiration. Maybe you want to write yours? Let us know if we can help.

Secure In An Insecure World Do you know any Hispanic folks that need to find a personal relationship with Jesus, or any that could benefit from understanding Biblical principles for marriage and relationships? The Spanish edition of Steve’s book fits that bill, and it is now available on Amazon! It is a great tool to give to your unbelieving friends, as it contains Steve’s testimony and a clear presentation of the gospel. The book is useful to those who are dating or considering getting married.

Clemson Danelle and I will teach a seminar for students at Clemson and   Southern Wesleyan over Valentines weekend, February 14-15. Pray for God to change lives!

Prayer Requests

1. Valentines Conference. Pray for many college students to come and invite their unbelieving friends. Pray for Danelle and I to be empowered by the Spirit, for needs to be met, and relationships transformed.

2. Secure In An Insecure World. Ask God to use the new Spanish and English versions to change lives around the world!

3. House Church Ask God to use our house church to lead many to Jesus in Atlanta, including internationals – Hispanic, Russian, etc. Pray for our faith to be strengthened. Hebrews 11:6.

4. Ukraine. You may have heard about the ongoing political upheaval in Ukraine and the protests in the streets. Timmy Powers is presently in Ukraine until February 12^th. Pray for his ministry to be effective and for his safety and health. Our friends there tell us that God is using this bad situation to bring people to Him. Pray for true peace through people turning to Christ.

5. Summer Plans. Please pray for clear direction, the finances, and God’s grace for us as we plan to go to Spain and Orlando this summer to teach students at LINC (Labors Impacting Nations for Christ) in both of these locations.

Yours in Christ’s love,

Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter December 2013

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Dear Friends,

We pray that you are doing well and that your soul prospers because of our Lord Jesus. He came to rescue us! Aren’t you eternally grateful for His love? “We love, because He first loved us.” He loved us beginning with His humble birth and ending with laying down His life on the cross to save us from our sins. Hallelujah! We pray that you and your family will enjoy our Savior, each other, and your friends during this holiday season and all year long. Here are some of our family highlights from this year

Our Family

Scott and Maria were blessed with the birth of their daughter Sophie this year. Her two older brothers, James (5) and Seth (2) adore her. The boys were active in soccer and gymnastics, as much as their attention spans would allow. God prospered Scott’s business, now called Nelson Exteriors, this year. Maria enjoys the fellowship of the women in her book club, and she is an avid novice gardener. Recently they have been attending Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.    

Whitney and Micah thank God for their sweet red haired daughter Corabelle who was born last December. Ezra (3) loves to read, play golf, and baseball, just like his daddy. This year Micah has exhibited work in New York, Atlanta, and Miami and continues to expand his company with an aerial photography helicopter. Whitney loves teaching art at a Christian school.  Micah and Whitney also recently competed in a national art competition creating a zoetrope and were awarded first prize!    

Julie and Matthew live in New York City where Matthew works for an art gallery and continues to paint his own pieces. Julie has grown her sewing business, Curtains for You, this year. She does quality work with a cheerful attitude which places her in demand all over the city. Jasper (7) is an excellent student known for her kindness. She dearly loves her little sister Dewey (1). Dewey climbs on everything, is very bright and interactive, and she is finally getting some hair! We are looking forward to their visit.                                                                                                                                                                              

Matt and Amanda Matt’s business, Crux Retail, has expanded into a new office with a large warehouse. He and his partner thank God for helping their business grow. Matt and Amanda lead a home group and Matt leads a men’s group. Amanda continues to work for Jack Cooper where she is able to be with both of their children, Briscoe (4) and Wilhelmina (1). Briscoe can really smack a baseball and loves superheroes. Whereas, his sister can hold her own around someone who is 100% boy!                                                                                                                                                                        

Stephanie and David are both very active in their church and lead a home group. David works for Georgia Southern while pursuing his doctorate in higher education administration. Stephanie loves staying at home with active and cheerful Nathaniel (1), leads a mom’s group, and mentors a teenage girl.                                                                                                     

Grace and Ward love being married and just celebrated their 3^rd anniversary! Ward now works for Scott, along with Grace. Ward is learning how to manage a crew of workers and communicate with home owners. Both of them are an integral part of our house church. They continue to reach out to their neighbors as well as to Hispanics in some local apartments with the gospel.                                                                                                                                                                          

Merry continues to work for Habitat for Humanity in Youth Programs. She leads a women’s Bible study and volunteers to tutor at-risk teenagers. Merry gets her “animal fix” by visiting cats at the local shelter, since they don’t allow pets in her apartment. She has enjoyed performing in the local theater with roles in The Crucible, Hairspray and White Christmas.                     

Danelle is working for Scott part time.  She stays very busy with a women’s Bible study, prayer group, and frequently using her gift of serving. This coming year she is going to begin to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing the piano by taking lessons from Grace! More than anything, it has been a year of growing more deeply in love with Jesus Christ and learning what it really means to have a heart full of joy.                                                                                                                                            

Steve’s God-given passion for the lost opened many conversations this past year from the pool to Pizza Hut. He constantly looked for ways to share Christ using his testimony tract or his book, which was recently translated into Spanish! He relished weekly discipleship meetings with Scott and Matthew, praying with Grace three days a week - using running as an excuse, and loves doing ministry side by side with his bride of 38 years! He enjoys keeping bees and was surprised when his honey won first place in the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association honey competition this fall.

                                                                                    Ministry

Clemson. The outreach to the students last month was fantastic! Timmy Powers and I joined campus staffer Brian Bridgeman. We teamed up with students in his ministry to share Christ on the campus. Brian and his wife appreciated our coming up, and we were so thankful we did!

Faithwalkers Conference. December 27-31 Danelle and I will again travel to Asheville, NC to participate in the annual Great Commission conference. We will be teaching a seminar on marriage, and Steve will also be co-teaching another seminar with Brian Bridgeman on, “Avoid the Comparison Trap.” Please pray for us and all who attend to meet with God and come down off the mountain changed!

2014 Plans Danelle and I are planning to travel to Pamplona, Spain for several weeks this summer to teach college students with the LINC program. We also plan go to Ukraine and Mexico next year. Our desire is to also serve various churches in the Southeast. Steve will attend the annual pastor’s conference in St. Louis in June. Your gifts now will make it possible for us to make these plans.

Ministry Support First of all a great big “Thank you!” to all of you who have supported us, making it possible for us to proclaim the gospel to many here in Atlanta and all over the world. Please consider a special year end gift. Or, consider starting to support us at $10, $25, or $50 a month. Go to www.gcmweb.org to give and use #5951 to help us this next year. You can always make a check out to Great Commission Ministries and mail it to us using the envelope enclosed, and then we will send it in for you. We are deeply grateful for your gifts. God bless you for your generosity & passion for those in need!                       

Praise and Prayer                             

1. Rocio. She is at home in Mexico! It has been difficult. Pray for her encouragement, and for her family’s salvation. Pray for us to know how to minister to her long distance. 

2. Secure In An Insecure World. Praise God, the Spanish and English versions are now on Amazon! I also have English and Spanish copies here at our house if you need any. Great gifts for all occasions!   

3. Faithwalkers About 800 students will gather Dec. 27-31 for this conference in Asheville, NC. Pray for Danelle and I as we teach a seminar, and for all to have an enhanced knowledge of Jesus and His will.

Yours in Christ’s love,

Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter–November 2013

“Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25

Rocio You may remember our friend Rocio. We recently celebrated her new birth at her baptism in the Chattahoochee River! Her infectious joy overflowed to all of us who were there, including the three Jewish families who paddled by in canoes at the exact moment! Rocio was supposed to return to her family in Mexico 10 days ago. We know she did not make her flight, and we are not sure where she is, since we have not heard from her. Pray for her safety and encouragement, and for us to hear from her soon.

 

A Story of Hope My longtime friend Doug Keefe called me one evening last week and enthusiastically said, “I have great news for you!” He went on to tell me how he had gathered some employees at a dealership, where he details cars, to share the gospel with them. Doug has a passion to help the lost find new life in Jesus. He bought these men lunch and shared the good news with them. A few days later one of the men, Antonio, asked Doug if he would marry him. Antonio had been in prison, where he came to know Christ. He told Doug that he was living with his girlfriend, Doreen, and they had a child out of wedlock. After praying about it, Doug agreed to do the ceremony, but he wanted to find out if Doreen was a believer. He decided to give Antonio a copy of my book, Secure In An Insecure World, for her to read. Then, last Thursday, Doug met with both of them, went through the gospel again, and asked Doreen if she had ever given her life to Christ. She told him that when she finished reading my book she asked Christ to save her, right there on the couch. That was indeed great news! Please pray for Doug as he helps these new believers grow spiritually, and to share the good news with their friends.

Prayer Requests

1. Rocio. Please pray for Rocio’s safety, encouragement, and her family’s salvation.

 2. Secure In An Insecure World. Both the Spanish and English versions will be available on Amazon, hopefully about the time you receive this letter. Pray for God to use this book to bring many to Christ, and to help Christians have secure lives and marriages. Consider ordering some copies to give as Christmas presents to students. It is also available on-line as an e-book.

3. House Church. Pray for a young man named Ben to grow and find fellowship. He recently asked Jesus to be his Lord and Savior, and will be on a ship for 4 months! Pray too for newlyweds Robert and Tershel to start off well, learning to live for Christ and others together.

4. Apartment Outreach. Pray for Grace and Ward and the three families with whom they are having a discovery Bible stud. Pray for many to come to Christ.

5. Reaching Russians. Pray for opportunities to reach Russian speaking people here in Atlanta.

6. Clemson. Finally, pray for the students at Clemson Timmy Powers, Brian Bridgeman and I shared Christ with this week to be saved. We had a fantastic time working with Christian students who are involved with Brian at Clemson. They worked with us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Steve and Danelle

Deep Sorrow

“I have deep sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart for my brethren according to the flesh.” Romans 9:1-4

“Do you see? Do you see… all the people sinking down? Don’t you care? Don’t you care? Are you gona let them drown? How can you be so numb not to care if they come? You close your eyes and pretend the job’s done. “Bless me Lord, bless me Lord” you know it’s all I ever hear. No one aches. No one hurts. No one even sheds one tear. But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs.” Keith Green-Pianist, Songwriter, Singer (1953-1982)

Why did Paul have “deep sorrow and unceasing grief?” Because God weeps over people who are lost! Paul had the love of God in his life to such a degree that it caused this deep sorrow over their lost condition. What did Paul do with this grief? He prayed! “My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” Romans 10:1

He preached! “And Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am,

except for these chains. Acts 26:28,29 He paid. It cost Paul to preach the gospel to lost people. Paul was stoned, beaten, and imprisoned, laughed at and homeless. It will cost you too, but it is worth it!

When was the last time you cried in prayer for a lost person’s soul? Have you ever had deep sorrow over someone’s eternal separation from God? I can tell you of only a few times in my life where I was moved to tears over someone’s need for Christ. I find it hard to relate to Paul’s great emotion and radical commitment to his fellow Jews over their salvation. He was a radical extremist for Christ! Are you? How can you become so filled with self-sacrificial love? I ask God to show me anything that hinders His love. Is there sin to confess and turn from? Then I ask Him to fill me with His Spirit and love through me. I challenge you to ask God to put His love in your heart for lost people. He will.

Nelson Newsletter October 2013

Dear Praying Friends,

“Faith is this extraordinary principle which links man to God; faith is this thing that keeps a man from hell and puts him in heaven; it is the connection between this world and the world to come; faith is this mystic astounding thing that can take a man dead in trespasses and sins and make him live as a new being, a new man in Christ Jesus.” – Martyn Lloyd Jones. We trust that you are living with faith (an expectation of God working) in God doing new things in you, no matter how long you have known Him! This is how we should live isn’t it – not by sight, but by faith? Here are some recent steps of faith we have taken and how your prayers offered in faith brought God’s blessings to others. Thank you!

House Church Retreat Six people from our house church had a faith-building time with Ray Vaughn and other Christians from Columbia, SC at a fall retreat. The house churches gathered to study the book of Philippians together, worship God, relax, and enjoy the fellowship. Thank you for interceding for them!

Florida State Beach Retreat Danelle and I had the privilege of speaking with college students at the Florida State Beach Retreat the last weekend in September. About 40 people gathered to hear Steve speak on salvation, assurance, baptism, and the local church. The students brought a number of unsaved friends to hear the good news of new life in Jesus. Three students were baptized (see photo) on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on the beach. Finally, Danelle and I shared Saturday night with the men and women separately. All in all God did many beautiful things in everyone’s life! Thank you for praying!

      

FSU Students Luke Gordon & Conner Moon

Rocio's Story We are happy to tell you that Rocio is headed back to Mexico to be a mother to her two daughters, ten and fourteen years old, which she has not seen in nine years! We are also sad to tell you that Rocio is going back to Mexico because we will miss her so much! We have developed a deep fondness for our new sister and have enjoyed her enthusiasm for God and His word. Please pray for Rocio, as it will be difficult for her children to overcome the hurt feelings of abandonment after nine years of absence. Pray for her to win their love as well as lead her whole family to Christ. 

Thank you to all who have faithfully supported us through the years. We are planning trips in 2014 to Mexico to help Rocio, to Ukraine, and to help with LINC again this summer for a longer time. If God puts it on your heart to start supporting us monthly, or with a special gift, it would help make these possible. You can go to the GCM website below to give, or use their mailing address. The account for which we are responsible is #5951. We greatly appreciate it!

 

Prayer Requests

1. Rocio. Pray for Rocio’s return to Mexico-that there would be real healing in her relationship with her girls. Pray that she will be safe, and that she would be able to get a job. Most importantly, pray for her continued spiritual growth, and that her family would to come to Christ. Finally, pray we would have God’s wisdom about going to help her find a healthy church family, and/or potentially starting a church there.

2. Secure In An Insecure World. The Spanish translation is finished! The English is almost ready to print. Pray for the money to print both books. Pray for us to get the Spanish on Amazon.

3. Financial Support Please ask God to provide for our financial needs, as He has done so faithfully through many of you for years.

4. Clemson vs. Georgia (38-35) for the college football National Championship? Our children would like to see a rematch. GO TIGERS!

Thank you for your love, prayers, and gifts!

Steve and Danelle

Nelson Newsletter August 2013

“We are fit for the work of God only when we have wept over it, prayed about it, and then we are enabled by Him to tackle the job that needs to be done.” Alan Redpath (1907-1989)

Dear Ministry Partners, ­­­­­­­­­­­

House Church Outreach Our outreach last month to people in a local apartment complex was very productive. Thank you for praying! Timmy Powers and our daughter Grace met a family that invited them back to their home to read the Bible. They have gone a few times to share the good news with them. The first person that Danelle and I met was a Mexican lady named Rocio. We told her we were out speaking with people about spiritual things like God and the Bible. We asked her if she thought about these things very much. She said, “All the time!” We then said we were telling people how to know God personally. She said, “I want to know God, but I need someone to show me the way.” We discovered that Rocio’s boyfriend, the father of her two daughters, was going to leave her for another woman. She was hurting and afraid. God had prepared her heart through these terrible circumstances to receive Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. She prayed with us that morning and God brought her peace, hope, and forgiveness through her spiritual birth! Jesus promised, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Celebrate Rocio’s salvation with us and the angels of God! We are meeting with her several times a week to discuss God’s word and pray. She is reading the Bible daily, and sharing her testimony with others. We have never seen anyone so eager to know God!

House Church Retreat Five members of our house church are going this weekend to join Christians from Columbia, SC for a retreat. Believers from the house churches in Columbia are having a retreat for the purpose of seeking God together, fellowship, and relaxation. They will discuss what the Bible says about the family and how to rest in, and rely on, God. Please pray for a life-transforming weekend.

“We need, men so possessed by the Spirit of God that God can think His thoughts through our minds, that He can plan His will through our actions, that He can direct His strategy of world evangelization through His Church.” Alan Redpath

Prayer Requests

1. New Contacts. Pray for Rocio’s growth, and for all those we have met in the local apartments.                        

2. House Church Retreat. Pray for Ward, Grace, Merry, Robert, Tershel & all to grow this weekend!

3. Secure In An Insecure World. Pray for the editing & printing in Spanish and English to be excellent.

4. FSU Conference. (September 27-29) Pray for Danelle and I as we teach these Florida State students.

5. Clemson vs. Georgia Pray for us to avoid any family conflict over the big college football game this weekend. Five of our children graduated from UGA! GO TIGERS!

Thank you for your prayers and gifts!

Steve and Danelle