This GPS Life Journey story is written in memory of one of my dearest friends ever. Dozens, if not hundreds, of times in GPS Life Journey Workshops I have verbally told the living-on-mission story of Jim Milby. His story is a vivid testimony of the value of participating in a GPS Life Journey Workshop. Jim Milby was promoted to heaven for his ultimate Kingdom service adventure on November 30, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. Jim and Linda Milby have not only been our dear friends for many years, but they are also family. Their youngest son, Todd, married our oldest daughter, April, in 1997. So, we have been doing family together for over 25 years and we share three tremendous grandchildren. Large Service, Small Fulfillment Jim Milby was the ultimate churchman. He served in numerous leadership capacities over his decades of church service. He was a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and said “yes” when asked to serve in his Church. He gave leadership to the church’s capital stewardship campaign. He served as Chairman of the Deacons. He often found himself in positions of out-front, spokesperson leadership. Frequently, Jim contemplated why he was most often uncomfortable in these leadership roles and why he experienced more frustration than fulfillment. After all, Jim was accustomed to holding extremely responsible positions and giving excellent leadership to teams over his illustrious career as launch director for the space program. He had overseen the launch for numerous communication satellites in his career. His retirement celebration gave evidence of his commitment to service and excellence. Then Came GPS Life Journey After Jim’s retirement and consequent relocation to Southwest Florida he became a member of our church and served as an Elder. Shortly after joining our ranks, he and Linda, his wife, participated in a GPS Life Journey Workshop. It was my privilege to facilitate that particular workshop. When I announced that the first section of the GPS Life Journey consisted of seven personal assessments to better understand how God had uniquely created and shaped each of us, I saw less than enthusiasm in Jim’s eyes. I wasn’t sure what that meant but proceeded as if “all is well” because I had seen that gaze before in the eyes of other highly successful professionals. Later “why the look” became crystal clear through Jim’s testimony. And the Light Came On After we had spent the first three sessions of our workshop compiling these seven assessments on each participant, the light bulb lit up brightly in Jim’s mind and heart. “When you indicated that we were going to do personal assessments, I thought, ‘been there, done that, so many times in my career that I not only have the T-shirt, I have worn it out.’ I was confident that I knew who I was and my giftedness.” Then I witnessed the teary-eyed confession and conclusion that Jim had reached. “I really did not know myself as I thought I did. When I took these kinds of human resource assessments in the work place, I had no thoughts of what this means and how does it apply to my service in the Kingdom of God.” Jim continued, “Now, I understand why most of my service in the church and other organizations has not been fulfilling. These positions were not what God had created me for. Because of my position in the work place, church leaders asked me to serve in roles for which I was not suited. God did not design me to be an out- front spokesperson and cheerleader. He designed me to quietly serve others behind the scenes.” You see, Jim discovered through the GPS Life Journey assessments that he was a “steadiness” and “conscientious” personality type, possessed the spiritual gifts of “service” and “exhortation,” and scored the highest in the strengths assessment for “deliberative” and “analytical” strengths. He understood for the first time the kind of leadership and service roles in which he should be engaged. The last years of Jim Milby’s service in the Kingdom of God brought fulfillment, significance, and success to him and his church. He severed in roles that let him function in his giftedness and he excelled in all he did. One day not long before his death, Jim quietly shared, “These last years of ministry and serving with you have been among the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Thanks for helping me to be who God created me to be.” Jim Milby was retired launch director for Lockheed-Martin and the NASA Space Program in Cape Canaveral, FL. (Story written by Nolen Rollins)
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In this Note from Nolen video, you'll hear from Nolen Rollins asking Are You Living on Mission with God?
"Are you living your life with a sense of purpose? Are you living on mission with God? If you participated in the GPS Life Journey, you compiled a personal mission statement for the next stage of your life. I've discovered over the years that many people with great intentions develop that mission and they're excited about it. But for some reason or reasons, they hit a roadblock. They get sidetracked and the mission gets put on the shelf. Let me encourage you, this spring, as we think about things growing and expanding, you growing in the fulfillment. Of your mission, your personal mission. If you need assistance to get back on track, let us know. We're here to help you with free coaching. Know what your purpose is. Be engaged faithfully in fulfilling that purpose. And by doing so, you will bring great glory to God. You will leave a legacy of impact and make a difference in the lives of others. God bless." Need Life Purpose Coaching? Life Mission Coaching by GPS Life Journey Founder, Nolen Rollins or Emily Miller, GPS Life Journey Director. Scheduled at your Convenience, Live or Zoom Two One Hour Sessions Cost: $0 FREE Contact Nolen Rollins at nolengpslj@gmail.com or 239-860-0096 Contact Emily Miller at emily@gpslifejourney.org or 239-771-0555 In this brief, Note from Nolen, we have an important Easter message.
"Without a doubt, one of the most important, if not the most important week of the year is Holy Week for followers of Jesus Christ. I want to wish you a happy Easter and I wish you a great year this year. As you follow the risen Christ in fulfilling his specific purpose for your life. God bless you." If you don't know what God's specific purpose is for your life then please consider participating in the GPS Life Journey process. We offer in person and online events throughout the year, check out what's happening here. You can also contact us to find out more information. This month's story is from GPS Life Journey Graduate, Don Gunther. "I had enjoyed a high level of business success that many would envy. I spent 40 years with the Bechtel Group, one of the world’s leading engineering and construction firms. We worked in 120 countries building some of the most complicated and largest structures ever attempted by an engineering and construction firm. For example, we built the tunnel under the English Channel between England and France. Our company was also responsible for extinguishing the massive oil well fires in the Gulf War. When I retired, I was Vice Chairman and was responsible for all of our business units around the world. I thoroughly enjoyed my career with Bechtel and loved living abroad and all across America. I tried retirement, but after the big house and the big boat, I was not satisfied with my life. I was glad that I had more time for my large family, but I sensed that maybe God had more for me to do. Yet, I was at a loss at how to go about discovering that purpose for the next stage of my life.
A New Friend Changed My Life That is when a friend introduced me to Nolen Rollins and GPS Life Journey. GPS Life Journey helped me focus on the skills I had and how I might use them to help others and have a greater impact in the world. It helped me evaluate my strengths and weaknesses and through it, I began to identify where God would like to use me. Coupled with my commitments to family, I felt called to become involved in a foundation that serves an impoverished migrant community in Southwest Florida, surrounded by immense wealth. I served as Chairman of The Immokalee Foundation and brought my abilities to bear for the benefit of the board, the organization, and those we serve. We are making a big difference in the lives of many young people, who with our help have a much greater chance at success in life. I also started a new chapter of Men’s Golf Fellowship at the country club where I was a member. This weekly group is designed to help men successfully deal with personal issues and to become devoted followers of Christ. It also was my privilege to serve as a leader in Legacy Church in Estero, Florida, where my new friend and mentor, Nolen Rollins, was Senior Pastor. Nolen has been the greatest spiritual influence in my long life. It was a blessed day when I met him. My life went from being prominent to being significant as I learned God’s purposes for my life and began to engage in fulfilling those purposes. There is no feeling as great as knowing that you are doing what God created you to do. And...to see how that makes a difference in the world. A much greater difference than building large structures. GPS Life Journey was very significant in my finding and fulfilling my life purpose." Don Gunther is the retired Vice Chairman, the Bechtel Group. (Story written by Don Gunther) This month, we have a great video for you to watch. Or if you prefer, then you can read the transcript here: "Hello. Another Note from Nolen. Just sitting here on the ramp, ready to get on the interstate. And I'm just thinking about the days when we went places and we had to use maps or the directions of a friend or family member to get there. Remember how difficult that was? You eventually got there. Sometimes you missed your turn several times, following the directions of a friend who would give you directions like:
Well, go down the road and you'll pass this big red bar. Don't turn there, go on down and you'll see this red wheelbarrow. It was just really difficult to get anywhere you want to go. What a great thing it is to have a GPS that takes us everywhere we want to go today. GPS Life Journey will do the same thing for your journey in the kingdom of God. It will give you specific direction as to where God wants to take you, how He wants you to get there, His purpose for your life, and a road map, a 15 step road map to help you arrive at His destination for your life. If you've not participated in GPS Life Journey, or if you have friends or family members who have not encouraged them to get the real deal GPS, it'll help you get to where you need to go in life." Find out what events are happening here, we offer GPS Life Journey in person and online via Zoom. You can also contact us and ask us questions about bringing GPS Life Journey to wherever you are in the world. Congratulations to these new GPS Life Journey graduates from SWFL. Here's what they had to say about the two day weekend workshop they attended in January 2024.
"Hello, my name is Ananias and this weekend I participated in the GPS Life Journey process. My mission is to serve my community and wherever I go so that they will know the love of Jesus Christ. I really enjoy doing GPS. It allowed me to understand my strengths and my passions and learn more about myself so that I can, through God, utilize them and go and support my community and complete my mission. Hi, my name is Germaine and I participated in the GPS Life Journey this weekend, with the great facilitator, Emily Miller. I just praise God for the opportunity. I've learned, to put my strengths and abilities all in one place. I know that my mission is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ, to as many people as I can. And help inspire people into an authentic walk with Jesus Christ. I highly recommend that you do the same. God bless." Over a Friday night and Saturday daytime, we take you through 8 sessions designed for:
Linda and I formally proclaimed our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and joined this church. The Holy Spirit filled me with a thirst for His Word. Reading and studying the scriptures and meeting with other Christian men in small groups changed my spiritual life in a powerful way.
The Story Continues with GPS Life Journey and Prison Ministry I knew that I had to share my new found faith with others. In 2018, I was introduced to prison ministry by a close friend, Roger Ciskie. Roger was already involved in prison ministry and was also familiar with GPS Life Journey through his friend, Nolen Rollins. I was immediately interested in knowing more about this prison ministry and how GPS Life Journey might help me determine if this would be God’s plan and purpose for my life. I attended a GPS Life Journey class and found that God had prepared me to “share His love by proclaiming the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while performing acts of service for those in need.” I also became certified as a GPS Life Journey Facilitator. I began to go with Roger Ciskie as he brought God’s Word to men in prison. I became convinced that prison ministry was a perfect fit for me and my mission to share God’s Love while proclaiming the Gospel. Since 2019, I have been certified in state prisons in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida, as well as Coleman Federal Prison in Florida. A Different Environment My experiences have shown me that God is already at work in all these institutions and the men are hungry for His Word and especially for hope. However, there is a big difference in the makeup of the GPS classes that are typically given in a civilian setting and in those given in a prison environment. The principal difference is that the students in prison are taken from a wide variety of faith groups or no faith at all and many sign up for a class without having the traditional Christian experiences and understanding of scripture. In prison you rarely have an opportunity to hand pick the men who will attend GPS as the opportunity to attend must be shared with all the men without discrimination. As you might imagine, this brings unique challenges to the GPS facilitator. I usually spend the first session by proclaiming God’s Love, explaining the GPS Life Journey method of discovery and proclaiming the Gospel. It’s not uncommon to lose a few men rather quickly but I also find that the men who are already “born again” and walking in the Spirit are a big help to those who are struggling with understanding and may be new to the faith. I have found that men who are in prison for life are just as interested in GPS, if not more so, than men who see themselves being released in a few months or a few years. It seems counter intuitive but men in prison for life desperately need HOPE and they find it in the promises of God to use them despite their past failures. They can live the “abundant life” that Jesus promised His followers. GPS Life Journey helps the men discover their own unique God-given abilities, skills, and spiritual gifts and how God has uniquely created them. Their imprisonment is not a detriment and serves them well in reaching other men in similar circumstances. Since the venues available for service are greatly limited in the prison environment, I stress that the men have to find an area to serve that will be permitted by the prison administration or find an area of service in a ministry that is already active within their own institution. The men understand that GPS Life Journey provides them a framework to assist them in discovering God’s plans that are unique to them. I challenge them to serve one another while sharing God’s Love with other men within their own sphere of influence. The ability to follow up with the men and their own unique mission statements is very limited. When GPS Life Journey is completed my personal contact with them is generally over, as most prisons do not allow personal contact between volunteers and inmates. However, in order to overcome this limitation, I have tried to establish “accountability partnerships” between men who have graduated from a GPS Life Journey class. I encourage the men to have weekly accountability meetings to go over their individual missions and the progress they are making in fulfilling their own action steps. This is about the only way for them to overcome obstacles and difficulties in continuing their journey to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. GPS Life Journey has shown me a clear path to proclaim the Gospel while serving men who are imprisoned. It has brought me great joy and I am growing in Christ daily as I proclaim His Word to some of “the least of these.” GPS Life Journey has also been extremely successful in helping prisoners discover that God has a plan for their lives and gives them a sense of great hope that God will use them to accomplish His purposes for their lives, even in prison. Robert Sandweg is a retired Navy Captain and a certified GPS Life Journey Facilitator. (Story written by Robert Sandweg) This month's video blog is asking the question, are you a faithful steward of your God given purpose? Below is the transcript in case you prefer to read what is said.
"Nolen Rollins here with another Note from Nolen. I'm sure you are aware that as followers of Jesus Christ, we are stewards of all that God blesses us with. We're stewards of our time, our resources, and our abilities, and we're stewards of the God given purpose that God has for each of us. 1 Corinthians 4, verse 2 says, "Moreover, It is required that as stewards, you be found faithful." Are you a faithful steward of the God given mission and purpose that God gave to you for the next stage of your life? If you don't know what that purpose is, I suggest you start being a good steward by discovering what is God's purpose for the next stage of my life. And if you do know what that purpose is, if you are a graduate of the GPS Life Journey, then you should be aware of what is God's purpose for the next stage of my life? Let me encourage you, be a faithful steward. You will have to give an account of how you are faithful in engaging in and fulfilling God's purpose for every stage of your life. If we can help you, let us know here at GPS Life Journey. God bless." This month we want to introduce you to Barbara Dunn, GPS Life Journey Facilitator in Lenoir City, Tennessee. Here's what she said: "Hi, my name is Barb Dunn and I'm a GPS Life Journey Facilitator. I wanted to share my experience with you and where I got to where I am now. I've lived in Lenoir City and I've been a member of First Baptist Lenoir City Church with my husband, Dan for three years now. It was very important after serving in a church for 28 years to find a home and to continue to serve the Lord.
I had joined many things and was interested in many programs in a very alive church, but just wasn't sure if they were the exact things that God wanted me to do when the GPS Life Journey program came along I was very interested. Through that experience, I learned that my mission is to encourage and equip others so that they may fulfill God's purpose in their life. I can't say enough good things about the GPS Life Journey program. You may not change anything when you get done with it, or you may be emblazoned to do new things, to glorify God. It's a very comprehensive and wonderful program. That really does reflect God's care and his wonderful workmanship in your life. You were built to glorify God. And I hope that when you experience the GPS Life Journey program, you will come out of it fresh, alive, and encouraged by all that God has for us. He has a plan for significance in our life, and he has a purpose specifically for you. I can't encourage you enough, and I'm excited for you. God bless. Thank you." Are you interested in finding out what God's Plan for Significance is in this season of life? Visit our website to learn more and find out what events are happening in person or online via Zoom. Website: https://www.gpslifejourney.org/ Events: https://www.gpslifejourney.org/events.html In Person workshops: https://www.gpslifejourney.org/live-workshop.html Zoom: https://www.gpslifejourney.org/gps-online-zoom.html Contact Nolen Rollins at nolengpslj@gmail.com or 239-860-0096 or send us a message via CONTACT page. Janine BateSOn's GPS Life Journey Story
I had been in my car eating a brown-bag lunch listening to the Moody Radio program “Focus on the Family”. I half-heartedly listened while munching my sandwich. I heard stories of how God had brought estranged families together, healed long-standing emotional wounds and helped strengthened parents in their walk with God.
My walk with God at this time was weak at best, or, so I thought! I did not realize that the Holy Spirit was working with me by placing people, circumstances and yes, radio programs in my life. I felt this growing spiritual hunger to know more, be more and contribute more. There just had to be more to life than this! The Moody radio program ended with a prayer thanking God for His blessings, asking Him to protect families and to awaken those who are listening so they, too, may know God’s love. I crumpled up my lunch sack, grabbed my purse and started briskly walking to the front doors. Where I worked was about a city block away and as I was walked, I started talking to God. If they could talk to God on the radio, I could do it now. “What am I supposed to be doing with my life?” “My life has no meaning and I feel lost”, “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?”. Immediately, I heard God say “KNOXVILLE”. I didn’t hear the cars passing on the street or feel the new spring breeze. I stopped and felt a warm glow of love, peace and a new found sense of purpose. The purpose wasn’t clear to me but I wasn’t about to question God. His purpose became clear within the next six months. My husband’s elderly parents lived in Knoxville. When we told them we were moving their way they were elated. The family homestead had become too much for them to manage. We moved in and helped them locate and move into a smaller home within only a few miles from our place. My father-in-law strained his lower back during the move. As the pain grew with the passing days, he could do less and we were now helping mom and dad with their daily chores, medicines and trips to doctors. The back strain proved to be pancreatic cancer. Within a few months hospice moved into their new little home. Dad had weeks to live. He asked us to take care of his funeral arrangements and to move mom in with us. We realized that God started working His plan six months earlier. In His pristine wisdom He was prepping us for work He needed done. That was twenty-five years ago. Today we have a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our faith is strong and we understand now why God said “Knoxville!” A NEW STAGE IN LIFE I’m Janine Bateson and my husband is Ken. God’s message for us back twenty-five years ago was absolutely perfect for the work He wanted done in that stage of our life. The glory is all His! Completing GPS Life Journey twenty-five years later, God has given me a new message and GPS turned that message into a Personal Life Mission Statement, which perfectly fits this new stage of life. What a beautiful gift. The ultimate purpose for each of us is to live our life glorifying God. We are to make a difference in the world by sharing our gifts to influence others to know and love Him! And now understanding my purpose, I am so grateful that God once said “Knoxville!” God has me working! My mission is to glorify God by working to save babies from abortion and sharing God’s word with women who have had an abortion. God has given me a pregnancy clinic in Maryville to work with. Good is Good! Janine Bateman is a recent graduate of GPS Life Journey at First Baptist Church, Lenoir City, Tennessee. |
AuthorNolen Rollins, Founder & President of GPS Life Journey Archives
April 2024
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