![]() 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
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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) 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 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) ![]() This month's GPS Life Journey Story is from Glenda Haendschke. "I moved to East Tennessee five years ago having left a very large non-denominational church in Florida where I truly found my home. The move to Florida initially was God-driven but not without some personal strife. It was at that church I was first baptized by immersion and truly felt the Holy Spirit take over my life. It was there where I began to learn about what a relationship with God really meant. I found fellowship with fellow believers and discovered the beauty of studying God’s Word. It was where I found the meaning of God’s Church outside the four walls where services were held. It was where I learned that God does really speak to me … if only I’d listen. … And then I did! I was visiting my family in Tennessee and heard the strongest message – so strong I did not think before asking my siblings what they thought about me moving to Tennessee. The rest as they say is history. I sold my house in Florida to a friend from church who had been struggling for months, trying to find the right home for herself, her mom, and her dad. I then moved to North Carolina where I also had another home to sell. God sent a family who was being displaced from their current home to buy it.
Having left a church where I was born again and planted in my spiritual journey, I began my search when I arrived in Tennessee to find the same … and was HARD! I’d go to one church then another church then and still another church before I gave up for a while. I never quite felt welcome or fulfilled. Then, four and a half years later I was led to First Baptist Church, Lenoir City (FBCLC). I sat in the front of the church and was greeted by a couple who lived near me. They introduced me to a couple of other people and then I heard and met Pastor John Hunn. I left that day feeling like I had finally found my home! My next steps were trying to figure out how to get connected and I found a display table in the foyer that spoke about this GPS Life Journey class. Fast forward a few weeks and I get an email saying new classes were starting up again and asked which timeframe worked best for mean. And thus my GPS journey began. While I was familiar with and in agreement with the findings of the assessments we took for the class, the jewel really was putting into writing my mission and vision statements. With the guidance of Paula Mills, my facilitator, I was able to focus on my spiritual gifts. I discovered how I could use them not only for the benefit of people in need but also to fill my tank with God’s love so that I could continue being the light God intended me to be. Setting specific goals and thinking about how and when I could fulfill those goals was a tremendously helpful exercise. Through those goals I identified certain mission areas that I believe will be great fits for me within FBCLC and enable me to truly become a part of this church family. I feel like I’ve finally found my home. Thank you, Nolen Rollins, for putting this study together. Thank you, Paula, for being my guiding light through this journey and encouraging me to write these thoughts down. But most of all I am so thankful to God for reminding me once again that He has a plan for me and I just need to listen and obey!" If you would like to participate in the GPS Life Journey process then please check our Events page. We offer in person and online via Zoom. You can learn more about us here. We look forward to helping you discover God's Plan for Significance in your life. ![]() Many years ago, my wife, Cheryl, and I participated in a small group study entitled Experiencing God written by Henry and Richard Blackaby. It was a turning point in our Christian lives. We realized for the first time in our lives that God was at work around us, and we were to be obedient and join Him. We did two things immediately. First, we hosted an Experiencing God small group study in our house and second, we started looking for opportunities to join God in His work. Several years later we joined another church where the lead pastor, Nolen Rollins, was influenced significantly by Henry Blackaby. Not long after joining the church we heard about a course offered by the pastor, GPS Life Journey, which, as we understood it, was an opportunity for Cheryl and me to learn about ourselves – our strengths, abilities, gifts, and passions – in a way we’ve never experienced before. We would use that information and our experiences in life to form a life mission that would guide us in determining how we would fit into the work God is doing around us.
Personal Missions Cheryl started doing bookkeeping in her grandparents’ business from the time she could hold a pencil in her hand. Today, she is a partner/owner in our accounting firm. As an accountant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor, she works with not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. What she’s discovered is that many organizations are not good stewards of their financial structure and they’re non-compliant with state and federal laws. We like to say their toes are at the edge of a cliff, but they refuse to acknowledge there is an edge. Cheryl’s mission is to be a resource in matters of finance and compliance so that organizations can avoid serious problems and make informed personal and business decisions. My mission is to tutor students in Christian-based programs so they can achieve their full potential and engage in God’s purposes for their lives. I graduated from college with a degree in psychology and education and found myself teaching applied physics. I’ve been an automotive machinist, teacher, technical trainer, manager of a documentation department, systems engineer, sales manager, and the Chief Technology Officer in our accounting firm. I love using all I’ve learned in my professional and Christian life in tutoring and mentoring students. For Cheryl and me, our GPS Life Journey clarified how we fit into God’s plan. We now know exactly how and where to join God in His work. Difficulties on Our Journey Facing challenges in the accounting firm, Cheryl and I left the firm in 2018 to focus on the work God was directing us toward. Amid the crisis we were facing, Cheryl’s mother discovered she had aggressive cancer invading her body. We cared for Cheryl’s mom and dad through a very difficult time in their lives. Within six months Cheryl’s mom passed away and soon after Cheryl’s dad also died. This put into perspective how short life is and had her asking the question once again – what am I here for? Cheryl took the opportunity to take GPS Life Journey again as a refresher to learn more about how God was working in her life. Today she continues to forge ahead in the work God has called her to. To make life more interesting, I was experiencing a significant loss of muscle strength due to the damage done to my motor neurons by the polio virus I experienced as an 18-month-old. Also, our income was affected enough during the downturn in real estate sales, that we were struggling to keep our home. It wasn’t the right time to sell. It seemed that from every side we were under attack. It was at that time that Cheryl was returning from visiting a client. As she pulled into our garage, she was thinking about trying to stay in our home when she heard God say, “You don’t know the blessings I have for you.” She knew that God was telling her that selling the house was in His plan. Today I continue in the work God has invited me to plus I’ve heard from God that he has additional work for me to do. I heard Him clearly say, “I gave you a story to write, write it.” For many years I have felt compelled to write a story about my life to leave to our grandchildren. For a decade, I wrote the story with no plans other than printing the story for them. After hearing God’s command, I knew He wanted me to tell not just my experiences from childhood but the entire story. I have just completed the third book in a five-book series detailing my experiences. Cheryl and I feel exceptionally blessed by God to have discovered the life-changing truths in Experiencing God and GPS Life Journey. Our lives are full of significance, even with experiencing the difficulties we have encountered. Cheryl Willett is an accountant/consultant with Willett Business Management, Inc. Rich Willett is an author, Whatever It takes, LLC. (Story written by Rich Willett) |
AuthorNolen Rollins, Founder & President of GPS Life Journey Archives
January 2025
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