Author: Shannon Elder

Inspiration and Information from the
National Association of Wesleyan Evangelicals

Your NAWE Companion

‘N AWE
A Firm Place to Stand
Larry Shreiner, Marietta, GA

August—September 2014

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
Have you noticed that whenever there is TV coverage of a hurricane there is always a reporter wearing a rain slicker struggling to remain standing against gale-force winds? Have there been times in your life when the bad things of this world seem to be doing everything possible to blow you off your feet? It is sad, but true, that you can become so familiar with verses like Romans 8:28 that you fail to recognize the power of God available for your use. Just as a storm shelter protects you from the worst Mother Nature can throw against you, living within the massive promise of Romans 8:28, you will find God's protection more solid and stable than Mount Everest.
You, as a believer, should never faint or fear when trouble comes your way. Why? Because God has a plan. A perfect plan that accomplishes two purposes: your good and His glory. For the promise within Romans 8:28 to be applicable in your life, you must love God. And, how do you demonstrate your love for God? "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:30-31). In Deuteronomy 30:16 are the orders and promises God spoke to Moses prior to His people entering the promised land. "For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy." These words are found in the Old Testament, but they apply to you today just as they applied to God's people then.
Sounds simple enough. When you find yourself in overwhelming troubles, all you have to do is declare your love for God and His Son. But wait a minute. Have you read and understood the last ten words of Romans 8:28? Do you know the part of God's plan that He has called you to fulfill? Or are you still clinging to the plans you have for your life? When your life turns upside-down could it be because you are in the wrong place doing the wrong thing? God loves you enough to disrupt your life so you will return to Him and walk in His ways.
I love the old hymn "Standing on the Promises". It reminds me that if I am to receive the benefits of God's promises, then I must stand solidly upon them. How about you? Is your life blown around by the troubles and trials of this world? Then you may be living outside of God's plan for your life and not securely standing on His promises that keep you safe within His will.

Praise & Prayer

Praise the Lord for a blessed Annual Meeting.
Thank the Lord for several new members received into the association.
Lance Snipes (Carrollton, GA) had a safe and fruitful trip to Poland.
Pray for John McCulley (Conyers, GA) having brain surgery on August 19.

Support and Opportunities
Reflections on Life, Ministry, & Relationships
Lauren Helveston, Tallapoosa, GA

Who listens to the pastor or the pastor’s wife? With whom do they share their story? A story that will encompass joys and hurts, the mundane and the extraordinary, success and failure, disappointments and fulfillment, peaks and valleys, peace and turmoil, the best of times and the worst of times, precious relationships and strained relationships….. Where is the safe venue for them to do this? We all have a story to tell and we really want to share it! We desire someone to listen with an understanding heart!
For several years the Helvestons have been providing a safe and confidential venue for missionaries to tell their story after returning from their place of service. We call it a debriefing, a time of review and reflection about their most recent mission term. It really is a time of reflecting about their life, their ministry and their relationships. The focus of the time is the missionaries and their story. It is a time where we listen. It is a time where they listen to themselves. If a couple, it is a time to listen to each other. And very importantly, it is a time to listen to the Lord. As someone has said, “To be heard, really heard, is to be healed. To be understood, really understood, is to be freed.”
Lauren and Jo Ann, who have served a total of seventeen years in the local pastorate, several years as missionaries, and have used their pastoral gifts for over 35 years in ministry to others, feel strongly that providing a safe place and extended time for pastors and pastoral couples to tell their story and reflect on their life, ministry and relationships with those who have listening ears and understanding hearts, would be a very helpful and healthy ministry to their fellow ministers. So we offer ourselves to our fellow brothers and sisters in the NAWE fellowship.
The venue for this time of reflection is the Helveston’s home. We would host you for two days. We would provide you with reflection forms to complete prior to our gathering. The forms provide content and structure for our time together. We would provide all the meals. Over the last few years we have conducted these times of reflection with over a hundred people. Most of them missionaries, but a few pastoral couples. The feedback we received from them has been extremely positive!
We would love to talk personally with you if you are interested in our offer. We could give more information and answer any questions.
Lauren and Jo Ann Helveston - 404-775-6989 - lhelveston@gmail.com

ASSOCIATION NEWS
Annual Meeting
Tony Elder, Conyers, GA

What a great time we had at this year’s Annual Meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee! There was such a warm spirit of fellowship among the people. We were inspired as God spoke to us through the timely messages of our new friend, Rev. Mike Murrell. And there was much optimism about what is taking place in the association, as well as what God has in store for us in the days ahead. We were also able to enjoy some of the activities around Chattanooga, including one group which made a “big splash” on the Duck Tour. Plans are already being made for next year’s meeting. Ask anyone who attended this year’s gathering and I believe they’ll tell you that you’ll want to be there.
The delegation from Covington, Tennessee.

Calendar

The 2015 NAWE Annual Meeting will be held sometime during the week of July 13. Keep this in mind as you schedule vacations and other activities for next summer.
October 10-11—National Christian Apologetics Conference in Charlotte, NC
Visit us at www.theNAWE.com