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In this month's Note from Nolen video, you'll hear from Nolen, as he wishes GPS Life Journey graduates a Merry Christmas.
"Merry Christmas. I want to wish all of the GPS graduates all around the world in 30 different countries a very Merry Christmas during this holiday season. This has been a great year for GPS Life Journey. I personally have been involved in leading 151 people through the GPS Life Journey process during 2024. We look forward to hundreds more experiencing God's purpose for their life in 2025. I hope you have a great holiday season. I hope you will take time to reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas season and that Jesus will be the central focus of all that you do during this Christmas time. God bless you. I appreciate you. I love you. And I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year in 2025." Check out what events we have upcoming here! Got a question contact us here!
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In this Note from Nolen, you will meet GPS Life Journey Partner, Barb Dunn. Here is what she had to share in the video. "Hi. My name is Barb Dunn, and I'm a GPS Life Journey Graduate and a GPS Life Journey Facilitator. My husband, who's also a graduate, and I have decided to become GPS Life Journey Partners. What is a GPS Partner, you might ask? Well, a GPS Partner is an individual or couples, like Dan and myself, who felt led of God to become a GPS Life Journey financial supporter. The operating budget of the global GPS ministry is supported by a small number of people who believe in the mission of the ministry and donate at least a hundred dollars per month. Or $1,200 per year to help people discover and engage in their life purpose. Serving as a GPS Facilitator allows me to observe firsthand how excited individuals are when they discover God's purpose for the next stage of their lives. GPS does not do fundraising activities or solicit donations as other organizations do. GPS Life Journey depends totally on people who believe in the ministry and feel led of God to become a partner. So would you pray and ask God if he wants you to become a GPS Partner like Dan and I have? It's a great way to leverage your giving as thousands of people in over 30 countries around the world are now engaged in kingdom service because of their participation in GPS. Thank you and God bless and I really hope if you haven't done it yet, you go through the GPS Life Journey program and you live on purpose as well." The mission of GPS Life Journey is to help individuals discover and fulfill their God-given purposes for the next stages of their lives. GPS Life Journey answers three important life questions…
Over 21,000 people in over 30 countries of the world have successfully discovered and are engaged in fulfilling their God-given purposes through participating in the GPS Life Journey Process. GPS Graduates are engaged in sharing the Gospel, planting churches, training church leaders, providing humanitarian services including food, clean water, clothing, personal hygiene and shelter, rescuing human trafficking victims, building orphanages, churches and schools, providing free medical clinics, helping widows, training leaders in Christian businesses, and numerous other ministries. People put their money where their missions are… Once people discover their God-given passions and purposes, they eagerly invest their financial resources in Christian ministries around the world. Research has proven that every dollar donated to GPS Life Journey results in fourteen dollars being invested in a Christian ministry or cause by GPS Life Journey Graduates. That is financial leverage and wise investing. GPS Life Journey is a faith-based ministry. GPS Life Journey trusts God for the provision of funds for the operating budget. GPS does not do fund raising activities or events or charge for the services of helping others. We rely totally on God leading individuals/couples/churches to support the global ministry of GPS Life Journey. The total operating budget for the ministry world-wide is less than $100,000. The ministry is led by volunteers around the world. GPS Life Journey Partners Those individuals/couples/churches who feel led to support GPS Life Journey with tax-deductible donations of at least $100 per month or $1,200 per year are GPS Life Journey Partners. They make possible this ministry of helping individuals discover and fulfill their God-given purposes. GPS Life Journey has always, in its 20 plus years of ministry, relied on less that 25 partners to support its operating budget. GPS Life Journey does not ask people to give. We ask people to pray to see if God is leading them to become a partner. God has always provided the operational funding needs through this small number of people. If you feel that God is leading you to become a GPS Life Journey Partner, please contact us at [email protected] or 239-860-0096. May God richly bless you as you continue to bless others,
I have always had a desire to serve God and to be a faithful steward of the gifts and resources He has entrusted to me. Then I decided to participate in a GPS Life Journey small group that actually met in the law office where I work. I was amazed at the clarity I received from the GPS process. I had a clearer understanding of how God had gifted and shaped me and wanted to use me in His Kingdom. Along with that clarity came an increased passion to be used by Him.
I discovered God’s mission for my life. I realized that I could carry out that mission within my normal professional responsibilities. I was able to create both financial and time margin to serve others within my profession. I realized that I had a God-given responsibility, as part of my total life stewardship, to use my experiences and knowledge to serve God by serving others, doing what I best knew how to do. I can make a difference in the lives of others that will have eternal Kingdom impact. How about you? Do you understand the amazing potential God has given you to make a difference in the world? William H. Myers is a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts and Estates Attorney. He practices estate planning, wealth preservation law and charitable gift planning with the Naples office of Porter Wright Morris and Arthur LLP where he is a partner. In this month's Note from Nolen, you'll learn about what Nolen Rollins is thankful for this year.
"Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving and coming close to the end of another year? Well, I am especially thankful this November As we enter the Thanksgiving season for what God is doing through the GPS Life Journey ministry, almost 300 individuals just here in the home office of GPS have gone through the GPS Life Journey in the past couple of years since relocating to Tennessee. If you're one of those individuals who has participated in the GPS Life Journey, I hope you will take time to thank God for having a specific purpose for the next stage of your life and giving you the privilege of being engaged in fulfilling his purpose for your life and making a difference in the lives of others. I am especially grateful that God is continuing to use me here at my old age to help other people discover God's purpose for their life and really leave a legacy. Of helping others and serving God in his kingdom and bringing great glory to him. I trust you will have a great Thanksgiving season and that you will not forget to be thankful to God for how he has blessed your life." As we sit down with our loved ones this Thanksgiving, let's take a moment to reflect on the blessings we've received and the purposes we've discovered. The GPS Life Journey ministry is just one of the many avenues through which we can uncover our unique calling and become agents of change in the world. Consider the story of Cheryl, a woman who had heard great things about GPS Life Journey and wanted her two teenage step daughters to experience it with her. They joined the GPS Life Journey program via Zoom, seeking clarity and direction. Through the process, they discovered their passions for helping others experience the love of God. Today, each of them are using opportunities God has placed in their path to lead as examples of their faith in Jesus. She found her purpose, and in doing so, transformed not only her life but the lives of those around her. Cheryl's story is a powerful reminder that God has a plan for each of us, and that it's never too late to make a difference. No matter our age or stage in life, we all have the potential to leave a lasting legacy by serving others and drawing attention to the glory of God. There's a Chinese proverb that goes, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now." This sentiment holds true for our life's purpose. If you feel unsure of your path or yearn for a more profound sense of fulfillment, consider embarking on the GPS Life Journey yourself. We still have opportunities to participate in the GPS Life Journey process online via Zoom. You can also contact us to find out when events are being planned to start again in person from January 2025! As we express gratitude for our blessings this Thanksgiving, let's also remember that we are called to use our gifts and talents to uplift others. By actively seeking and embracing God's purpose for our lives, we can create ripples of change that will impact future generations. This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for the opportunity to serve and transform the lives of those around us. In doing so, we not only honor the Lord but also leave a legacy that will last for generations to come. Meet Larry Griffin, a recent GPS Life Journey Graduate.
He shares, "I think this whole program that they have here for that has stirred up things that was inside me that I've used in other programs at other churches I've been at. But it confirmed what I've always wanted to do and that's be with the elderly, help those in nursing homes and hospitals that are, that need our help, frankly. But one thing that's happened since I've been there is I've been able to give him a little booklet here and all this is it's just got a few poems in it that helps them and I didn't know what kind of response I would get out of that. Martha Payne who's got me started doing this as well said that she has passed those out to other people and they really love it. Morning Point Ministries or a rest home is, another place where people have read it and they pass it on to other people and it's helped out a little bit. It's given a little extra to help them while they're there. So I'm so glad and happy to be there. I'm so glad and happy to be a part of this church and a part of, the GPS ministries. So thank you again and have yourself a great day." Picking up on what Larry Griffin shared, I'd like to delve deeper into the impact of sharing simple gestures, like a booklet of poems, with those in need. It's incredible how something so small and seemingly insignificant can make a substantial difference in someone's day or even their life. In my experience, people in nursing homes and hospitals often appreciate even the smallest acts of kindness, as they might feel overlooked or isolated during their stay. In fact, research supports this anecdotal evidence. A study published in the Journal of gerontological nursing found that simple activities, like reading or discussing poetry, can help improve the mental well-being of older adults in long-term care facilities. These activities not only promote social interaction but also stimulate cognitive functioning, ultimately enhancing their quality of life. Now, you may be wondering how to create such a booklet of poems or other similar gestures to share with those in need. The answer is simpler than you might think. First, consider the audience and their potential interests. For example, if you're creating a booklet for older adults, choose poems that resonate with their life experiences or evoke nostalgia. Next, keep it brief and visually appealing, using a larger font size for easy reading and ample white space for a clean, uncluttered appearance. You might also include a personal note or an invitation for the recipient to share their thoughts or feelings about the poems. This can open up opportunities for deeper connections and meaningful conversations. Remember, the goal is to create something that brings joy, comfort, or distraction from their daily routines in a positive way. In conclusion, participating in GPS Life Journey has allowed others to reaffirm their passion for helping the elderly and those in nursing homes and hospitals. You might also enjoy meeting Jim Robertson, who has a similar mission. The simple act of sharing a booklet of poems has not only brought happiness to others but also highlighted the importance of small gestures in making a difference in someone's life. By incorporating activities like this into our daily lives, we can create a ripple effect of kindness and compassion that can positively impact those around us. Don't forget to explore different ways to give back and make a difference in your community. By staying attuned to the needs of those around us and actively seeking opportunities to help, we can enrich not only their lives but our own as well. If you're not certain of God's Plan for Significance (GPS) in your life then consider joining one of our classes listed on the EVENTS page or CONTACT us to let us know your questions or interest. We look forward to helping you get started and living on mission for God's glory!  Turns out I like to learn.
Using that knowledge is a different story. A lot has happened in the 11 months since I participated in the GPS Life Journey Course at my church. I have to admit I was skeptical about GPS Life Journey, but our pastor asked everyone to take this class so I signed up. I’ve been practicing this little thing called obedience - feels weird. Do it anyway! The point of the GPS Course is to help individuals determine their strengths and giftedness so they can get to work on God's plan for their lives. It was humbling and encouraging to learn from Nolen Rollins, our facilitator, and to be with other brothers and sisters eager to make a difference in this world. It amazes me how resilient humans can be. It doesn’t matter where you are now. You can be somewhere completely different in a matter of no time. It doesn’t matter how you feel or what you think you should be doing. God has a plan for each of us. He doesn’t need us to do any of this work. But we receive immense blessing when we submit to his will. We get to spend more time with our Lord. We get to understand Him better. We get to learn and grow AND help others grow. We get to be salt & light. by Whitney Johnson In this month's Note from Nolen, you'll hear from Nolen about the importance of not missing the will of God!
"Most Christians are so busy doing the work of the church that they miss the will of God". That is a quote by famous author and scholar, Dr. Henry Blackaby, author of Experiencing God. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily activities, especially when they're related to church work. However, it's crucial to remember that our ultimate goal should be to fulfill God's purpose and plan for our lives, rather than merely staying busy. This requires us to take a step back and truly seek His will for us. One way to discover God's plan for our lives is through prayer and meditation. Spending quiet time with God allows us to hear His voice and gain clarity on the path He has laid out for us. It's during these moments that we can truly experience God and understand His desires for us. If you haven't learned how to hear from God, then you'll be delighted to discover this in Session 4, of the GPS Life Journey process. This is where you'll understand how to hear from God and get directions for their lives. Another way is by surrounding ourselves with wise and mature Christian mentors who can provide guidance and insight. These individuals can offer valuable perspective and help us navigate the challenges and decisions that come our way. Proverbs 15:22 says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Seeking counsel from others can help us stay on track and fulfill God's purpose for our lives. Again, the GPS Life Journey process is an excellent opportunity to experience mentorship and guidance in a facilitated small group. There is plenty of time for discussion and receiving input from others as you discover God's mission for your life. Additionally, it's important to remember that God's plan for our lives is often revealed through our gifts, talents, and passions. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we were created for good works, which He prepared beforehand. When we use our unique abilities to serve others and glorify God, we are fulfilling the plan He has for us. This is why we spend the first three sessions of GPS Life Journey looking at how God shaped you! You'll discover more about yourself using seven assessments. This includes: your personality, your strengths, your passions, your values, your experiences, your spiritual gifts and your abilities. In conclusion, while staying busy with church work is important, it's even more vital that we discover and commit to fulfilling God's specific purpose and plan for our lives. By seeking His will through prayer, surrounding ourselves with wise counsel, and utilizing our gifts and talents, we can experience God and walk in the path He has laid out for us. GPS Life Journey helps you discover your God-given purpose for the next stage of your life and engage in fulfilling that purpose. Be committed to fulfilling that rather than just simply being busy! Check our Events page to register for in person and online via Zoom GPS Life Journey. We are here to help you get started or unstuck if you're already a GPS Life Journey graduate through our free 1:1 coaching. Simply Contact us with your questions and we will be in touch. In this Note from Nolen, you'll meet the youngest GPS Life Journey graduate! Below is the video transcript.
Nolen - "I'm here with Alex Purdue. He is one of the youngest persons ever to go through the GPS Life Journey here at First Baptist Center City with his brother and his mom. Alex, tell us how did you feel about the GPS Life Journey? Did you like it? And if so, why did you like it?" Alex - "Yes, I liked it because it taught me, um, like how I can inspire other people and help them when they're feeling let down or something." Nolen - "Okay. What did you learn about yourself? You know, we do personal assessments that kind of tell us this is who we are. What did you learn about yourself?" Alex - "I learned that, I need to like let stuff, other stuff that's keeping me away from God to cut those things down. Focus on God more in the Bible and listening to God." Nolen - "Good. And do you remember what your personality type was? Are you an influencer, I think? Alex - "Yes." Nolen - "An I - Personality?" Alex - "Yes." Nolen - "All right. Well, may God bless you as you influence and encourage others to follow Jesus Christ. And we encourage you too, don't we, Alex, to participate in a GPS Life Journey." Visit our EVENTS page to find out what classes are happening or us the CONTACT page to start a conversation. In this month's Note from Nolen, we are sharing about our new classes starting soon! Visit our EVENTS page for more details.
"Who do you know that you can recommend to participate in the GPS Life Journey process? This fall, we begin a new series of live classes, and of course, GPS Life Journey is always available by Zoom format to anyone, anywhere in the world. Participating in this process will help an individual better understand how God uniquely created and shaped them for service in His kingdom and to discover the truth. His special purpose for the next stage of their lives and develop a strategy for fulfilling that purpose. Why don't you think about who you might recommend participate in one of the upcoming GPS courses or to participate in the online GPS format. By doing so, you will help them discover God's purpose and help them make a difference in the kingdom of God and bring him glory in doing so. Contact us and we'll tell you when the new classes are coming up or where you can participate. We hope that you'll recommend someone to be a part of the GPS Life Journey process." This month's story was written by Haven of Hope International back in November, 2020. It showcases how volunteers helped to make a difference in the lives of three young women and used the Spanish translation of GPS Life Journey. "Haven of Hope International’s vision is to change the destiny of orphans around the world. We are doing this through strategic partners, like GPS Life Journey who provides programs that equip young people to succeed and find purpose. GPS stands for God’s Plan for Success and the program helps participants write a personal mission statement for their life, taking into consideration: personality, strengths, life experiences, skills and passions. We believe God created each of us with unique gifts and abilities and has a plan for our lives to make a difference. Its a beautiful process watching the children discover how they are uniquely created, realize they are fearfully and wonderfully made and to begin to dream about how they can positively impact their world. HOHI’s founder, Alice Skaff, sat on the steering committee for the development of GPS Journey curriculum many years ago. The process and coaching from Pastor Nolen Rollins, was instrumental in helping her take next steps in founding HOHI. Why Orphans Need GPS Life Journey Training We know that 99.5% of orphaned children never get adopted and without life skills education and vocational training 70% of girls in adulthood will turn to prostitution. Human trafficking is a serious problem in Bolivia where our flagship home is located. An investigation has found that human trafficking goes largely unchecked and 71% of the victims that are rescued do not receive attention or protection from the government. Sadly this makes Bolivia a source country for human trafficking. We are making sure our children have what they need and in less than 90 days, we equipped three university students from Haven of Hope Bolivia with resources that will help guide them using GPS Life Journey. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ( Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  From left to right: Luz Marina, Carlota and Fernanda with their GPS Life Journey workbooks. Meet 3 Young Women & Their Mission to Serve and Fulfill their God Given Purpose. Luz Marina was nine years old when she had a dream of children being trafficked for their organs. She shared this horrifying vision with “Mama” Gladys. So powerful was the dream that it has stuck with her ten years later. She’s determined to use her God given gifts and strengths to instruct young girls to see that the Lord is using them towards better plans and purposes. Her mission: To teach young people, using media and communication, to worship and serve our Lord. Her vision: Young people would put their faith firmly in the Lord and not fall into the wicked plans of the enemy such as: pornography, violent games, etc. Carlota had tuberculosis when she was a child and didn’t want to live. She believes that God healed her lungs and a pastor from Mexico encouraged her to share her faith. Now aged nineteen she loves to worship God through dance and gives God the glory for her strength. Her mission: To help children and adolescents that need support in creating a change in their lives so that they never give up on their dreams. Her vision: To see young people motivated, hundreds of children developing their talents, hundreds of young people and children in intimate relationships with God. Fernanda shared how it took a bus she was taking to a neighboring city for her studies breaking down to appreciate where she lives today. Seeing that others have worse living conditions made her grateful for all she has. She’s excited to make a difference in the lives of the younger girls. Her mission: To develop projects that bring restoration and expand the word of God in their lives and the lives of others. Creatively decorate bibles for the children at church. Her vision: To see children motivated; to see families united; to see groups of people / teams well equipped to go out and share the word in different places. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 NIV  From top left to right: Beth Webley; Fernanda, Carlota and Luz Marina. Bottom center: Alice Skaff, founder of Haven of Hope International on the last GPS Life Journey session. Volunteers Made GPS Life Journey Possible
Two volunteers from the United States helped these three young women learn more about strengths and weaknesses and gain a better understanding of others. Emily Miller provided facilitation using a program developed by Pastor Nolen Rollins. Beth Webley donated her time and resources towards the cost of printed workbooks in Spanish. Cathy Trentini de Guevera, HOHI’s onsite program coordinator, translated. Importantly, we helped to equip Luz, Carlota and Fernanda to:
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4 NIV) Our role remains – setting a new standard in orphan care." If you would like to learn more about GPS Life Journey in Spanish then please contact us for more information. |
AuthorNolen Rollins, Founder & President of GPS Life Journey Archives
November 2024
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