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In this month's Note from Nolen - meet Grayson Mosley, a college senior with a new direction thanks to GPS Life Journey!
Here's what he shared in the video: " Hey, my name is Grayson Mosley, and I wanted to talk about my GPS Life Journey. So, beforehand I was kind of lost. I didn't really know what I was gonna do. I was just going to college for computer science, cybersecurity, getting a degree. Didn't know what I was gonna do with it, didn't know what life had planned for me. I definitely didn't have the relationship with God that I needed to beforehand. And, through going through the GPS Life Journey, it has revealed a lot to me. It has revealed purposes to me. It has revealed what fulfills me, what fulfills my soul, what fulfills who I am, and what God has for me to become. As a man of God and to who I am supposed to be. One of the many ways in this is it has given me a purpose of what my job is supposed to be. I'm wanting to go into child trafficking, human trafficking, for my job after I graduate from Tennessee Tech. Then some of the smaller things. Is I kind of found myself again in that I am a servant and that I have a servant spirit. And beforehand through middle school all the way up to high school, I was in community service organizations, but then Covid hit and then I wasn't. And this has helped reconnect with me with that. So I'm doing many things now and volunteer. I'm willing to potentially become a Christian lay counselor. I have things in the work for that, and I want to just help people in any way, shape and form that I can. And GPS has helped me to provide that groundwork and showing me what my purposes truly are and the man God has for me to be." If you're interested in experiencing GPS Life Journey, then check out our EVENTS page to find out what is happening in person and online. There are many GPS Life Journey facilitators around the world and we'd love to connect you with them.
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 GPS Life Journey Participants in Nigeria Nigeria is a country in turmoil. Boko Haram, a severe jihadist terror organization, is headquartered and active in North Nigeria. Just south of this region of strong persecution and killings is the State of Jos, Nigeria.  Bishop Ken Eze, Right GPS Life Journey is impacting thousands of lives of followers of Christ in this northern state of Jos, Nigeria under the leadership of Nigerian GPS Life Journey Director, the Reverend Ken Eze. Bishop Eze and his other volunteers consistently conduct GPS Life Journey classes all over Nigeria. Hundreds of people have gone through GPS under the leadership of GPS Facilitator, Dr. Yemi Alfred.  Please pray for Reverend Ken Eze, Dr. Yemi Alfred, and others on the GPS Life Journey Team in Nigeria. Pray for open doors and safety for these faithful warriors for Christ.
 This month's story is by Marianne Bailey.
I have been praying for God to show me what is next. He used GPS Life Journey to clarify that for me! I was a pharmacist for 25 years when God led me in another direction. For the last five years I have been in children’s ministry full time at my church, First Baptist Church, Concord, Tennessee. This past year, God again led me to pursue a Biblical Counseling degree online. With this new direction, I have been praying for God to show me what is next. That is when several of the staff of our church were invited to participate in the GPS Life Journey process. God used my participation in this course to clarify my mission statement and the direction I need to be moving forward for the next stage of my life. It was also neat to see how God is working in the lives of my co-workers that I don’t always have a lot of interaction with. GPS Life Journey is not simply a class to take. It is a resource and effective tool I can continue to use for the rest of my life really. In fact, there are many others whom I know who would benefit greatly from participating in a GPS course as well. I plan to encourage them to discover God’s purposes for the next stages of their lives. I want my husband and kids to do this too! GPS Life Journey is such a blessing! Marianne D. Bailey Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Director First Baptist Concord Knoxville, Tennessee In this video you will hear Jackie Da Hora's testimony as a GPS Life Journey Graduate.
"Hi, my name is Jackie Da Hora, and I'm a licensed mental health therapist. My husband and I are the owners and counselors at Therapies Counseling. We are passionate about helping equip others with tools to improve their mental health, either through individual sessions, marital sessions, or group presentations. Through GPS Life Journey, I learned more about God, my spiritual gifts, and formulated a mission statement to help me stay focused. I can now say that I exist to testify how Jesus freed me, healed me emotionally, and gave me a new identity in Him. God has increased my boldness in order to evangelize to others, including sharing my testimony, sharing His word, or offering to pray for them. And if they accept Jesus, I then give them a study Bible, connect them to a local church, and continue discipling them if they're already attending one on one sessions. I also share with others the book that my husband and I wrote that are filled with practical mental health tools and biblical principles to help them embrace their God given identity as either a woman of God or a man of God. And they can be found on our website at https://www.therapeacecounseling.org/jacquelin-da-hora-christian-therapist. I am thankful for GPS Life Journey that helped me understand how God created me, how he speaks to me, and helped challenge fear that was preventing me from fully living out my purpose here on earth. To be able to bring emotional healing and point people back to Jesus, who is our wonderful counselor."  This month's story is by Marianne Bailey.
I have been praying for God to show me what is next. He used GPS Life Journey to clarify that for me! I was a pharmacist for 25 years when God led me in another direction. For the last five years I have been in children’s ministry full time at my church, First Baptist Church, Concord, Tennessee. This past year, God again led me to pursue a Biblical Counseling degree online. With this new direction, I have been praying for God to show me what is next. That is when several of the staff of our church were invited to participate in the GPS Life Journey process. God used my participation in this course to clarify my mission statement and the direction I need to be moving forward for the next stage of my life. It was also neat to see how God is working in the lives of my co-workers that I don’t always have a lot of interaction with. GPS Life Journey is not simply a class to take. It is a resource and effective tool I can continue to use for the rest of my life really. In fact, there are many others whom I know who would benefit greatly from participating in a GPS course as well. I plan to encourage them to discover God’s purposes for the next stages of their lives. I want my husband and kids to do this too! GPS Life Journey is such a blessing! Marianne D. Bailey Kindergarten – 3rd Grade Director First Baptist Concord Knoxville, Tennessee
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. 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 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.  Ronnie Rollins had been in a transition stage of his life for well over a year when he became aware of the GPS Life Journey course.
Ronnie shared, “I had struggled significantly seeking to find direction and purpose for my life. I had been forcibly retired from my profession by new management. It did not take long for me to discover that retirement was not for me.” Ronnie enrolled in a GPS Life Journey Small Group with seven other individuals. “GPS Life Journey was the answer to my dilemma. I immediately came to an understanding of myself better than ever before in my life. I saw clearly how God had uniquely shaped me with gifts, passions, experiences, personality, abilities, and strengths. I knew what direction in life was best suited for me,” Ronnie explained. For the first time in his life, he knew his purpose in life. He now has a personal mission statement that he is passionate about. He sees clearly how fulfilling his mission can bring a sense of significance to his life and be a blessing to others he serves. Perfect Fit “Now I am pursuing a new profession after retirement that perfectly fits who I am.” Ronnie became a part-time maintenance man for his local church. His supervisor at his new job declared, “Ronnie is a God-sent blessing to me and the entire church. We have benefitted tremendously from his skills and his desire to serve others.” “I am also fulfilling my God-given life purpose of serving others through the gifts and abilities that God has given to me. It is so rewarding to know that God has shaped me to make a difference in the lives of other people by simply doing what I do best.” Recently the Pastor of Ronnie’s church asked the congregation, “How many of you has Ronnie Rollins helped build or repair something around your house?” Over twenty hands went up of grateful friends whom Ronnie had helped. Most of them were widows and needy members. Ronnie highly recommends the GPS Life Journey for everyone who wants to know and fulfill his or her God-given purpose in life. Each of us can and should make a difference in life. Each of us can and should leave a legacy that impacts the lives of others. Ronnie Rollins was a retired Property Manager in Kingsport, Tennessee and a retired Church Maintenance Man in Estero, Florida. (Story written by Nolen Rollins) |
AuthorNolen Rollins, Founder & President of GPS Life Journey Archives
March 2025
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