We are Sent 2 Serve
- Building Relationships
- Coaching Leadership
- Caring for God's Servants
We are Sent 2 Serve
- Building Relationships
- Coaching Leadership
- Caring for God's Servants
International Pastor Care
Pastors minister to their congregations but who ministers to Pastors?
To whom does a Pastor turn for friendship, a confidant, a mentor, or a listening ear?
With whom can a Pastor pray when the weight of his flock is on his shoulders?
With whom can a Pastor share his heart when he needs a friend?
The purpose of Sent 2 Serve is to build and encourage Pastors, their wives, and Christian Leaders so they in turn can lead their ministries.
Van and Ressie travel to these Servants at their place of ministry, walking with them, listening, caring, and praying.
The Nelsons are Missionaries. They go, but it is the partners who pray, give, and encourage them as they go.
Details of the Ministry
International Pastor Care
Sent 2 Serve exists to provide encouragement and friendship to Pastors and Christian Leaders. The theme of the ministry is - "Build the Man and He Will Build the Ministry." This theme becomes action through offering friendship, coaching, and fellowship to Pastors and Christian Leaders.
Confidentiality
Most people give one shot at confidentiality. Anything shared with me is strictly between that individual, me, and God. This is where it stays.
Coaching
We may or may not offer direction. We do not travel with a box of tools to fix problems or situations. If coaching is needed we ask questions before offering suggestions to build the Pastor and his ministry. He in turn is equipped for more effective service.
Friendship
Having served as a Pastor, Van offers an understanding heart that is understanding, sympathetic, and watchful as the Pastors share their goals, burdens, and desires.
Listening Ears
It is my desire in getting to know a pastor to learn about his family, ministry, and walk with the Lord. If he chooses to share ministry issues I am there to listen.
Prayer Partner
Regardless of the level of friendship that grows with a Pastor, I want to be able to add the Pastor to my prayer list, praying for specific areas of his life that may or may not be ministry related.
Details of the Ministry
Prayer Partners
As we connect with Pastors and Christian Leaders there is something we want them to know. This is not our ministry. We represent a team of Partners who stand with us in prayer, praying for people they will never meet, most of whom they will never know about, but holding us up in prayer, daily, as we are Sent 2 Serve.
Serving With Energize Ministries
Van and Ressie are missionaries serving with Energize Ministries. Energize Ministries' Purpose is to provide proactive, preventive care to pastors, ministry leaders, and their families; and to continually engage the body of Christ to do the same.
Partners with Word of Life
The Nelsons served for over 17 years with Word of Life as missionaries in the USA, Sweden, and Norway. These years included ministry in Hungary, Argentina, and Canada.
Today they serve with Word of Life in Europe and the Caribbean.
Our goal continues to be seeing a thriving ministry of Word of Life in Scandinavia.
What Do You Do?
One question we are often asked is, "What do you do?" We mimic the Apostle Paul who obeyed the commands of Jesus Christ. People talk about the Great Commission, but how many practice it like the Apostle Paul? No, we do not plant churches. We grow churches by caring for pastors as an Encourager, Confidant, Consultant, and Friend.
A major amount of confidentiality is expected in this type of ministry. At times the information and pictures from trips look like a travelogue. Though we see breathtaking sights and want to share them with everyone, we never want to divulge confidences when someone shares their hearts. Know that your prayers and financial contributions are for the express intent of “equipping the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12).
In Acts chapters 14, 15, and 21, Paul speaks about strengthening the churches, most of which he started. How did he strengthen churches? By evangelism and discipleship, by encouraging, building up, preaching, teaching - fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus set the example and gave the command. It is our responsibility to obey by going into all the world, preaching the gospel, and while we are going, make disciples. We are Sent 2 Serve our Lord and His servants while reaching those who need to hear about Jesus Christ.
About Van & Ressie
Van & Ressie Nelson
Being reared in a Christian family, Van had loving role models. While his father was a Pastor, both his parents were integral in teaching him how to love by God's example.
Van's interest in ministry began at an early age. When he was just 16, listening to God's leading, he began serving as the Music Director of the church his dad pastored.
Being reared in a Christian family, Van had loving role models. While his father was a Pastor, both his parents were integral in teaching him how to love by God's example.
Van's interest in ministry began at an early age. When he was just 16, listening to God's leading, he began serving as the Music Director of the church his dad pastored. Feeling the Lord's push toward the pulpit, he eventually joined his father as the Associate Pastor.
While in college God brought a young lady by the name of Ressie into Van's life. Today they have four grown children, and seven grandchildren.
In addition to being an Associate Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Missionary, Van has served five churches as an Interim Pastor. He and Ressie enjoy loving congregations who need someone to walk with them through times of transition, embodying Paul's example in Philippians 3:14: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Van has extensive training and experience in curriculum compilation, devotional writing, and training for various ages and church leadership. As a passionate believer in the practice of discipleship, he meets with several men on a regular basis, offering his hands in prayer, further providing proof of his love for leading people, and the organization and mobilization of each and every individual toward their God-given purpose in life. Along with theological training, both Van and Ressie have degrees in Sacred Music. Van is currently pursuing a Master's in Christian Life Coaching.
Seeing their marriage as not only a blessed union, but a partnership in God's will, Van and Ressie use their collective heart for missions and helping others.
Serving over 17 years with an international mission organization, Word of Life Fellowship, they have ministered to a large portion of the United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as South America and the Caribbean. Today they partner with Energize Ministries and Word of Life.
Though Van and Ressie were not allowed to stay in Sweden or Norway because of Visas, God never changed their hearts. They travel to Scandinavia as often as possible ministering to pastors and Christian leaders.
Their hearts have always been open to the people around them, making their mission: to serve God and His servants.
We are Sent 2 Serve.