Nelson Newsletter - April 2024

 

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”   Philippians 1:3-5

Dear Saints,

For the same reason that Paul was thankful for the Christians in Philippi, we thank God with joy for you – our fellow participants in the gospel! Following Christ, fishing for men, and making disciples is a team activity! We are all essential parts of the body of Christ! God wants each of us to grow and mature in our faith so that we can build up the other members. Nobody should sit on the sidelines and watch the rest of us participate because we need your wholehearted participation in the gospel of Christ!

   We Need YOU!

Atlanta House Church Our church has been participating in the gospel by praying for family, friends, and co-workers to come to Christ. We engage them in gospel conversations as well. Here is a recent opportunity that will encourage you.

Ricky is a local carpenter who is doing some work for us. Yesterday, after we had spoken for a while, He said to me, “I have two young girls, eight and ten, but now I am divorced.” I responded, “I wrote a book about how to have a good marriage. There is even a chapter about how to heal after divorce. Would you like a copy?” He responded enthusiastically, “I would! I really like to read.” I went to my truck and gave him the Spanish version of my book, Secure In An Insecure World. Seguro en un mundo inseguro: cómo encontrar el amor de su vida. He was surprised to receive it and to have it in his own language. Please pray for Ricky and his crew to come to Christ.

You may want to order several copies to have on hand to give away to Hispanics you meet or already know. It is a great tool as it has a clear presentation of the gospel, as well as practical, Biblical help for singles, or single again folks. Here is a link for the Spanish translation: https://tinyurl.com/vaw5yzd8 The English version can also be found on Amazon. Be ready to give an account for the hope that is within you by your participation in the gospel!

Prayer & Praise

Ricky Ask God to speak to him as he reads my book, to save him, his daughters, and to restore his marriage. Pray for his crew to come to Jesus as well.

Ukraine. Please ask God to give the soldiers, their families, the citizens, and the leaders fresh courage and resolve as they fight for freedom against the Russian invaders.  Pray for victory.

Illinois & Virginia Churches David and Stephanie asked that we pray for these two churches:

Portsmouth Pray for health needs that interfere with gathering. More participation (ownership) by meeting in different homes. Pray they would read God’s Word regularly. Finally, ask God to motivate them to look for ways   with their community.

Carbondale Pray they would: 1. stay focused in conversations, 2. think about, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Phil 4:4 & 3. Be humble.

Church in Richmond   Pray for the families to make close friends. Bryan Rock and Nick Scott and their wives are seeking God for encouraging fellowship and direction for their lives.

Jasper. Our oldest granddaughter, Jasper, will be attending the University of Georgia this fall! God has answered our many prayers!

Merry’s Baby Our youngest daughter, Merry, is due May 12^th. She and Nathan have two sons, Elijah and Caleb, so having a little girl around will be awesome! This little girl was breech, up until yesterday, when she was turned head down in the doctor’s office. Please pray she would stay this way so they can go to the birthing center and have a natural birth. Pray they would have peace through trusting God. Thank you!  

Yours in Jesus,

  Steve & Danelle  

   

                                 Corabelle’s Play     

   

                     Jasper’s visit to UGA campus  

       

              Wilhelmina & Matt - Easter   

      

 

                              

                                                                                                                                     

wwww.reliant.org 

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

   

Our Blog: www.gcmnelson.com

Nelson Newsletter - March 2024

 

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB

 

Dear Fellow Believers,

Following Jesus Christ should be a simple and enjoyable experience. But, like so many things in our lives, we tend to complicate them. This will rob us of the enjoyment of our relationship.

 

Atlanta House Church As a church in Atlanta, we are learning how to improve our simple and pure devotion to Christ. During the week we seek to worship the Lord personally and with our families and to bring the knowledge of Christ to our communities. This devotion to God and His word overflows in our love for others. Here are two recent examples of this overflow.

This week we had a load of mulch delivered to our house by Shabazz (in the photo). Yes, that really is his name. 😉 When I offered him a copy of Secure In An Insecure World, “Finding The Love Of Your Life,” he responded with, “That’s perfect. I will read it! I have been dating a lady for four months now. Maybe we will read it together.” I replied, “Excellent! I think you will enjoy it. I think it can help your relationship.” He went on to tell me that he was 50 years old and was not interested in typical dating like when he was young. He said he was more serious and looking for a more meaningful relationship. When he drove off, I asked God to use my book to help him find “The Love Of His Life” – Jesus!

Three days later I met Rasheed at L A Fitness as he was riding the stationary bike. For the next thirty minutes we had a heart- to- heart conversation. We both shared our stories. He graduated from Vanderbilt where he had a scholarship to play football. Now he is working as a pharmaceutical salesperson in the Atlanta area. I thoroughly shared the gospel with him. Rasheed listened intently and responded sincerely. I’m not sure if he is a believer or not, but he heard the truth and was appreciative of our time. He said he too would read, Secure In An Insecure World.

                                              Prayer & Praise

Shabazz & Rashad Ask God to open their hearts and bring them to Christ! Pray for God to speak to them through my book. Pray for more opportunities for interaction with these two. Ask God to motivate our church with His love to share Christ with those around us and save them.   

Ukraine. The war is now into the third year with no end of the killing and destruction in sight. Please remember these courageous people, both the soldiers and the families, in your prayers to God. Pray for God to bring spiritual awakening in Ukraine and Russia as well.                                                                    

Illinois & Virginia Churches David and Stephanie will be meeting Josh and Sarah, from the church in Virginia, at the Ark in Kentucky. Their families will enjoy their time there and then thew will all return to Carbondale for more fellowship. Mariella and Will, another couple from the church in Virginia, will come visit April 9-15. Please pray for quality fellowship for all!

Church in Richmond The leaders of this young church, Bryan Rock and Nick Scott, are persevering in following the Lord Jesus with their young families and a small group of other believers. Recently, illness and health problems have prevented them from getting together and tested their faith. The need one another to grow their simple and pure devotion to Christ!

Nelson Family Needs Mother fell a few weeks ago and cut her leg. The caregiver called us at 2am to come over. Mom and was taken by ambulance to the ER where she received 20 stiches to repair the torn skin on her shin. We thank God that she didn’t break anything!

Alice Marie Turnage Happy 98th birthday mother! God has blessed her with a long and healthy life and a large and growing tribe who love the Lord Jesus! We love you!

 Yours devoted to Jesus,

Steve & Danelle  

                                                                                                                                                                                             

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

Nelson Newsletter - February 2024

 (The spies speaking to Moses) “They reported to him and said, “We came into the land where you sent us, and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And indeed, we saw the descendants of Anak (giants) there!” Numbers 13:27-28

Dear Fellow Believers,

Don’t leave God out of your reality! Give Him a chance to show up! The men that Moses sent into the promise land correctly assessed the situation. There were giants and fortified cities! But that is where their reality ended. They forgot God. They forgot the God who miraculously liberated them from cruel slavery to Pharoah in Egypt. Joshua and Calab did not forget God and His promise. They entered the land. The other spies died in the wilderness, along with all the men under 20, for their unbelief.  The rest of the Jews who did not die had to wander in the wilderness for forty years as well. 

A Lesson To Learn: Always remember God, who He is and what He has done for you. Then you will trust Him with your giants. HE is your reality!

 Atlanta House Church We are asking God to help us know Him better - to be our reality and we will trust Him more. We are focusing on our devotional times and how to strengthen our relationship with the Lord. This vital relationship with God  is the key to every human relationship we have - our family, church, people at work, and in our communities. Discipling others begins with us! Mark 1:35 is a verse we are all memorizing, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” NIV Did you know that Spiderman attends our church? That is our reality! And yes, even Spiderman needs to rest sometime!        

Barrie & Spiderman (Will)

                                               

Illinois & Virginia Churches David and Stephanie continue to bring the reality of Jesus to people in Carbondale. Stephanie has a weekly Bible study in person with Kerianna, while David continues to share the gospel with Jeremy, her husband. Stephanie also studies the Bible with Sarah in Portsmouth by phone. She asked that we pray for both Sara (pancreatitis) and Mariella (foot injury) as well as the growth and spiritual health of their church in Virginia.

Nelson Family Needs Danelle and I seek to make God a reality to our families daily. We often support our grandchildren by attending their events, of which there are many, even though two families live out of town! Here is Ian Nelson, with the ball, during a recent game. Scott coached both Ian and Sophie’s teams.

Taking care of my mother is a way to bring God into her reality. This week she fell and could not get up. Fortunately, she did not break anything. She has had shingles, so that may have weakened her. She is still recovering from both and would appreciate your prayers. She will turn 98 in March. God has been a kind reality to her!

Merry and Nathan are expecting a baby girl in May! Please pray for all 5 of them to bring God into their reality – to raise godly children, for a healthy mother and baby girl, and to effectively disciple other young couples in their church.

 

 Prayer & Praise

1. Atlanta House Church Pray for us to imitate Paul’s passion to know Christ, “that I may know Him and to power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Pray that we would seek Him in His word! Pray for our church to be more effective in building one another’s faith and our love for lost people.

2. Virginia and Illinois Churches Pray for Jeremy to repent and trust Christ, for Kerianna and Sarah to apply truth they learn from studying the Bible, and for Sarah and Mariella’s healing.

3. Family Needs Ask God to comfort Mother as she recovers from shingles and ages. Ask God to help us care for her and her changing needs. Pray for Merry and her baby (due in May) to both be healthy. Finally, praise God that He just gave Nathan a new job! He was out of work only for the weekend! See, God shows up when He is our reality – when we choose to believe in Him!

 May God be your greatest Reality!

Steve & Danelle   

 

                                         

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

 

Nelson Newsletter - January 2024

 

“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”  John 15:5

 

Dear Friends,

Lasting Friendships These lyrics about friendships from the song, Friends Are Friends Forever, by Michael W. Smith. “That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends … And friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them…That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.”

 It is true, that “friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.” We are grateful for your lasting friendship! We may not be with you, but we feel the effect of your love through your prayers and financial support of our work. Thank you!

 God has given us life-long friends like these couples pictured below. They responded to God’s love in Christ and have laid down their lives for the Great Commandment - to love God supremely and for the Great Commission - to disciple the nations. They are the real deal! Danelle and I have benefited immeasurably because of their love, prayers, and support! “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Timmy & Kenyon Powers

Pat & Brenda Batchelor and Joy & Glenn Page

 Prayer & Praise

1. Faithful Friends Danelle and I thank God for all our precious friends (including you!) that He has given us over the past 50+ years of knowing Him! Please pray for these saints  (including us) to be faithful and fruitful until they the see the Lord face to face! “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” John 9:3

2. House Churches Pray for the churches we serve in Atlanta, Illinois, Portsmouth, and Richmond, to develop Christ-centered friendships that result in sinners coming to Christ. “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” Luke 7:34

3. Support Thank you friends for standing with us in this ministry! Many of you have been on our team for years, while others have joined more recently. We appreciate each of you and each gift given. We also recognize the love for God, sacrifice for others, and the faith that is behind your generosity. Your hearts greatly encourage our faith in God and His love and mission!

 

We are your friends forever,

Steve & Danelle 

  

Merry & Nathan’s Recent Gender Reveal! (Grandchild #22!)

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

 

 

Nelson Newsletter - December 2023

 

“God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.” Eph. 1:5 NLT

To God’s Adopted Children,

Here is a beautiful truth - You were adopted into God’s family!  Three of our grandchildren were adopted. It is a special way of saying, “We chose you to be in our family. We wanted you to be our child and you will always be a member of our family!”

That is what God did with us. He chose us before the foundation of the world. If you are His child, it is because He wanted you! There are many others out there waiting to be adopted, but they do not know about God’s offer or how to respond to His love. That is where you and I come in. We are taking this Good News to those in darkness who are lost, broken, and unloved. 

Nelson Thanksgiving Almost all our family was able to come for Thanksgiving. We had 35 in all! The day was filled with feasting, fellowship, playing wiffle ball, ultimate Frisbee, watching football, and going on walks. I was encouraged by the love I saw among our family. Danelle and I give God all the credit! Before the evening meal, I asked, “Who would like to thank the Lord for us?” Immediately our 10-year-old granddaughter, Corabelle, responded,  “I would!” She prayed a heartfelt prayer that touched all our hearts. That was indicative of our day. God is good!

Christmas 2023 It has been God’s plan from eternity past that we would be adopted into His family through His Son, Jesus Christ. Joy to the world! What a wonderful season of the year Christmas is. We celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ! We are praying that during your Christmas season God would calm your heart and give you His peace so that you can hear His Spirit speak to your heart of His deep love for you!

  Merry Christmas!

Prayer & Praise

1. Nelson Family – Christ Followers Danelle and I praise God that He has adopted our children, their spouses, and most of our grandchildren into His family - the church of Jesus Christ! We continually pray for their parents to be filled with wisdom, love, patience, and the truth of God’s word so they can model Christ-centered lives and marriages before their kids. We ask God to adopt all our grandchildren into His family! After they have repented and trusted Christ, we help them grow as His disciples. All these parents and children need the grace of God. Would you please join us in praying for them? Thank you!

2. House Churches Please pray for the churches we serve in Atlanta, Illinois, Portsmouth, and our new friends in Richmond, to grow in their devotion to Christ, their love for each other, and their desire to see new people adopted into their spiritual families in 2024. Thank you!

3. Support Prayerfully consider sending in a year-end gift for our work in the gospel. You can become one of our monthly partners, if you aren’t already. Either way, please visit: https://reliant.org/steve.nelson to find out how. Your gifts will enable us to be used by God to adopt many 2024. Thank you very much to each of you who supported us this past year!

 

Working with you in God’s adoption service,

Steve & Danelle  

  

                 

                                                                                                                                                                            

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

 

Nelson Newsletter - November 2023

 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”  1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Dear Friends,

In the verse above, Peter was instructing fellow believers to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope they had. What did he mean? How do we follow this instruction today? First and foremost, Christ was to be their hope – their source of life! When this is true, the believer stands out among those whose hope is in other things or other people. When we chose to allow Jesus to run our lives, to be our Lord, then we will care about others and want them to come to know Him as well. We will be prepared to explain why we have peace, joy, and contentment.

It's never about the _______... tire repair, groceries, or the dentist. You fill in the blanks for your life. It’s always about the people! Don’t miss the people!!!

                                                 Jose', Tork, & Eugene reading my testimony tract

This week for me, it was not about the light fixture. I went to Lowes to purchase a $5 light fixture for our basement. I was checking out and there were three employees there and no other customers. A few weeks ago, I edited and reprinted my testimony tract to pass out. Doing this helps me have lost people on my mind (to be prepared) and stay active in sharing the Good News with them. I offered Jose’ my tract in English or Spanish and explained what it was. He enthusiastically asked for the English version. I only had a Spanish version left to give Tork, who could not read Spanish. So, I asked Jose’ if he would mind if we switched, since he could read the Spanish version. He was fine with that. As I was walking out to my truck, I remembered that I had more English copies in the console. I returned with an English copy for Jose’ to see all three of them huddled around reading it! I was excited that God was speaking to them! I was thankful that I was prepared for this opportunity. Please join me in praying for God to prepare their hearts to come to Christ, and for me to meet them again. I encourage you to be ready to give an account for the hope you have in Christ! I would be happy to help you write your testimony and get it printed.

Maggie and Ivan Our Ukrainian friends brought their son to go to school in Georgia. They stayed with us for a few days while they were here. It was a time of mixed emotions. Hearing about the war in Ukraine, from people living in the middle of the trauma, was heartbreaking. They continue to hear the air raid sirens and flee to bomb shelters, sometimes hearing explosions in Kiev where they live. Their faith in God is real! It was also encouraging to hear about the hunger for the gospel in Ukraine. God works amid hardship, maybe even more when He has our attention!

 

 

Nelson Thanksgiving We are happy that almost all of our family will be here for Thanksgiving – 35 in all! At every table, each person will share what they are thankful for. Thanking God for what He has done, prepares us to trust Him what He wants to do in the future. Please pray that all of our hearts would be prepared to love and serve one another!

   Pastors & Church Leaders Praying

Pastors & Leaders Conference. Thank you for praying for our leadership meeting in Charlotte a few weeks ago. We always enjoy catching up with one another personally, hearing news from each church (both the positive and the challenging), praying together (photo), doing church business for our region, and hearing seminars on helpful subjects. My seminar, “Finish the Race,” went well. (Please send me an email if you want to listen to the audio and watch the Power Point as well.) The questions at the end of the teaching always let me know that hearts and minds were touched. We seek to encourage each other in the work of making disciples in our cities and around the world. Collaborating in the mission with others of like heart is a blessing!  

 Prayer & Praise

1. Atlanta Church Ask God to motivate us with His love to build relationships with unbelievers and to be prepared to share the gospel of Christ with them. Pray for the Lowes’ employees too.

2. Illinois Church David and Stephanie asked us to pray for Kofi and his family and Kerianna and Jeffery’s family. Both families participate in the gatherings, and both need the Lord Jesus.

3. Virginia Church There has been some turnover among the believers in Portsmouth, but there seems to be new life – fresh faith because of the newcomers. Please pray for love and unity.

4. Pastors & Leaders Conference Pray for all the people in the Southeast who are leading the churches we are associated with. They need protection, encouragement, courage, compassion, wisdom, and faith in God to equip the saints to do the work of disciple making for God’s glory. Your prayers prepare them to face the challenges with faith in God! 

5. Please consider a special year-end gift for our work in the gospel. You may want to become a monthly partner. Either way, please visit: reliant.org/steve.nelson to help us be prepared to make disciples in 2024. Thank you!!

Yours to be prepared,

Steve & Danelle

 

               

                                                                                          

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

 www.gcmnelson.com