Tag: Faith

She carried them with her: Autumn Nelon’s journey to Malawi

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DON HEBERT

There is a particular kind of grief that doesn’t stay still. It moves, it searches, it looks for somewhere to go. For Autumn Nelon, it found its way into a suitcase packed with toothbrushes, yo-yos, crayons, nail polish, Bibles, and baby wipes, then boarded a plane bound for Malawi.

This month, Autumn flew to Africa on a mission trip that her family had long dreamed of taking together. The Nelons, that beloved pillar of Southern Gospel music, had talked about going. They had hoped to go as a family, the way the Nelons did most things, shoulder to shoulder, in harmony. But on Friday, July 26th, 2024, that future was taken from them in an instant. Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, pilot Larry Haynie, and his wife Melissa were all killed in a tragic plane crash while en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. The Gospel music world went quiet in a way it rarely does.

And yet, here is Autumn, making the trip anyway.

She spent the past month doing what people who come from Gospel families know how to do when the world falls apart: she got to work. She fundraised. She bought supplies. She asked, and people gave. Toothbrushes and balls for the children. Coloring books and markers. Yo-yos, because joy matters. Diapers and wipes, because need is practical before it is anything else. Bibles, because that is the bedrock of everything the Nelons ever stood for.

It is hard not to see the weight of what she is carrying over there, and not just in the luggage. The mission trip The Nelons hoped to take together is now the mission trip Autumn is completing for them, and perhaps with them, in whatever way love persists after loss.

The Southern Gospel community, which rallied around the Nelon family in the devastating aftermath of the crash, is now rallying again. Prayers are going up across congregations and fan communities alike, asking that God uses Autumn in a mighty way on the red soil of Malawi, among the new friends she is only just beginning to meet.

There is a moment, somewhere in Malawi, where a child might pick up a yo-yo that a grieving young woman bought with money strangers gave her, in memory of a family that sang about heaven their whole lives. That child will not know any of this. They will just know the yo-yo, and the person who brought it, and the smile that crosses her face when they play.

Freedom in worship and faith

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JEFF TURNER

Some believers have been pressured to control how they practice their faith. They’re told when to fast or how to follow religious routines. It can also involve people trying to judge others based on their religious habits. In response to this kind of pressure, Colossians 2 gives us some direction.

Paul instructs believers not to let others decide for them about matters such as religious festivals, new moon observances, food choices, drink rules, or Sabbath practices. These instructions were meant to protect Christians from being controlled by outside judgment.

Some of the practices being discussed were part of the Jewish law. These rules once helped set the Jewish people apart, but they are not required in the same way for the church today. The ceremonial system has been set aside, and believers are no longer bound to follow those external requirements.

There is also no command in the New Testament that requires fasting as a regular rule for Christians. Even in the Old Testament, only one fast is clearly required. This shows that fasting and similar practices are not meant to be strict rules imposed on everyone.

Because of this change, the early church began meeting on the first day of the week, which is linked to the resurrection. Believers are also free to eat what is available to them. This idea is supported in the book of Acts, where a message is given that removes food restrictions and allows people to eat without those former limits.

The main shift is from external rules to inner faith. In the end, the focus is not on being controlled by outside rules, but on sincere worship that is honest and grounded in truth.

for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

Faith shared without limits

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JEFF TURNER

Some people who want to share their faith look for guidance in books and resources from the local Christian bookstore. And it is here they often find different ideas that do not always agree. Some teachings suggest a quiet approach. They say a person should prepare their heart, then wait for God to bring someone into their life who is ready to hear the message. Other teachings encourage action. They point to the words of Jesus Christ in Gospel of Matthew, where he calls his followers to go out into the world and share the good news with everyone. How are believers to speak to others about their faith? Instead of looking for a “one size fits all,” consider what the Bible says. The instruction to go into all the world does not set boundaries. It opens the door to many ways of reaching people.

Sharing the message can happen in many places and situations. It may take place from door to door, on the street, in a classroom, or between neighbours. It can happen during times of work, in moments of rest, or even in difficult settings like conflict or competition. It can grow through friendships or simple conversations. The point is that there is no limit to where or how the message can be shared. The call is to speak about it at all times and in all places.

Our faith is not limited by method, but it is guided by truth. And our focus should remain on presenting the message honestly and fully, so that those who hear it understand what it truly means.

How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Romans 10:14–15

Faith without fame

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JEFF TURNER

It is common to see a well-known person speak about faith in Christ and quickly become a major voice among believers. Within days, a celebrity who shares a testimony may be invited to speak, represent Christian causes, or be treated as a spiritual example. Christians should be glad whenever anyone comes to faith. The salvation of a person matters whether that person once lived on the street or held an important office in government. Every life changed by Christ is a reason for joy.

Yet there is a growing habit in the church that deserves careful thought. Some believers seem very eager to highlight the conversion of wealthy or famous people. Their stories are often promoted in a way that gives them a place of influence almost right away. This approach can move attention away from the message of the gospel itself.

The apostle Paul addressed something related to this in his first letter to the church in Corinth. He reminded believers that not many who follow Christ are considered wise, powerful, or noble by the standards of the world. Instead, God has chosen people who appear weak or foolish in the eyes of society. Through them, He shows that human wisdom and human pride cannot produce salvation.

One reason for this is that people who hold power, wealth, or social honour often place great value on their achievements. Their identity may be built on success, status, and reputation. Because of that, the message of the gospel can be difficult for them to accept. The gospel calls people to humility and surrender. It asks them to let go of the things they trust in and to place their hope fully in God.

The story of the rich young ruler in the Gospels gives a clear picture of this struggle. The man wanted eternal life and came to Jesus with respect. Yet when he was told to give up his riches and follow Christ, he left with sadness. His wealth and position meant too much to him. He desired life with God, but he was not ready to give up what he already had.

By contrast, many of the people who came to Jesus during His ministry were those whom society pushed aside. Tax collectors, prostitutes, and people known for crime often listened closely to His words. They knew their lives were broken. They were not pretending to be righteous. Because they understood their need, they were ready to receive mercy.

The religious leaders and respected teachers of that time often reacted very differently. Many of them opposed Jesus and rejected His message. They trusted their knowledge, their traditions, and their position in the community. Their confidence in themselves kept them from seeing their need for grace.

There is also a deeper reason behind this pattern. God often works through those who appear weak so that His power is clearly seen. When a person with little status or influence is transformed by faith, the change points directly to God’s work. No one can say the result came from human strength or talent. The grace of God becomes visible.

For this reason, believers should celebrate every true conversion without turning the spotlight toward fame or status. The gospel is not strengthened by celebrity influence. It stands on the truth of Christ and the work of God in ordinary people. When lives are changed, the glory should return to Him alone.

but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,

1 Corinthians 1:27

The power of defending your faith

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JEFF TURNER

It is common for people to miss chances to share their faith because they do not understand other religions or misleading teachings. Sometimes, an unbeliever may present arguments that leave a believer confused or unsure. Other times, a person may struggle to explain what the Bible teaches and why they believe it.

The Bible offers guidance for these moments. In 1 Peter 3, it says to always be ready to explain the reason for the hope you have. I believe this passage is not only about having an answer for difficult questions but also about showing the personal impact of the gospel in your life. It encourages believers to provide a clear defense of the gospel while sharing how it has brought hope and change to their own lives.

Being prepared means understanding the gospel fully and being able to explain it simply and truthfully. At the same time, it means being able to share personal experiences that demonstrate its power. While it is not necessary to know every false teaching or heresy in detail, knowing the truth of the gospel makes it easy to see when something is not genuine. The strength of the gospel itself is enough to show the difference between truth and error.

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:13