- Missionary Orientation. A class of 119 missionaries gathered at
Assemblies of God Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, October 18-27th
for Missionary Orientation. Chris and Angela were humbled to be a part of
a wonderful group of energetic missionaries going to every continent. They
spent 10 days in classes learning about AGWM procedures for Itineration,
setting up various information systems, learning about the infamous
Missionary Kids program, and finanally...interviewing! There were two
main interviews they completed. One was with Dick Nicholson, the Latin
America/Caribbean Region. The second was with the AGWM interviewing
Executive Committee. John Bueno was chairing their committee. Chris
says that when they were in their interview, he and Angela were never once
really nervous, it was as if they were among family. After a successful
interview, the Executive Committee said they would recommend the Nelson
family for a Missionary Appointment to Venezuela on November 9th!
- Chris visits Venezuela. September 1-9 Chris and his brother-in-law,
Phillip Boswell, visited Caracas, Venezuela. June 20th during a period of
fasting and prayer, Chris sensed the Lord confirming in his heart a burden
for the country of Venezuela that had began to stir weeks earlier. With the
current A/G missionaries, Gary & Patty Heiney, Chris and Phillip had a 9 day
adventure of exploring, meeting people, tasting the local flavor and getting
lots of good pictures and video for this website and Itineration. They got to
attend the Destiny Church International,(church plant), there in Caracas.
They also visited a 14 acre orphanage that is under construction, a German
colony, Simon Bolivar's House, see the Venezuelan Declaration of
Independence and see the Congress building. Chris absolutely fell in love
with the people, their culture and found out he is in desperate need of a
recipe for bagels because they do not exist there!
- Chris helps to plant a church. Rev. James and Susan Dodd had
- returned to Belize City just weeks before the 41 member-strong team of NC
Aim'ers flew in to assist with an English- speaking church plant in Corozal
Town 14 miles south of the Mexican Border. Lead by Rev. Ashley Penly,
Youth Pastor of First Assembly Raleigh, and equipped with spirit-filled
teens, a full worship band, 6 youth pastors and various youth leaders they
came prepared to see success in Jesus' name for New Beginnings Church of
Corozal. Under the leadership of an A/G Short-Term Minister Abroad, the
church took off as the city was blanketed by day with clowns, dramas,
community service projects, prayer and 4,000 flyers. At night the services
rocked the towns with the sounds of praise and worship 50 feet off of the
side of the Caribbean. At the end of the AIM trip, Glory be to God, Chris
got to be a part of a team that observed a mighty move of Holy Spirit
through first time salvations, Holy Spirit Baptisms, drug and alcoholic
bondages broken, and hope preached in a town of hopelessness.
