Jeff & Ann Nelson

Jeff serves as Director of Ponderosa Student Ministries & Ponderosa Bible Camp.

Our family journey began when we were married in September of 1987.  The Lord began blessing us with children right away and has continued to do so every couple of years!      

When J.T., our oldest, turned 4 years old, the Lord called us to become a homeschooling family.  We have just completed our 16th year of homeschooling and we have 2 in college! 

 The next adventure the Lord called us to was to become a "Quiverfull" family.  At the time we found out we were expecting our 5th child, Kristin, we were unsure if we were ready for more.  After all, Jordan was only 6-months-old at the time!  The Lord took us to His word and showed us that He opens the womb and He closes the womb and that He considers children a blessing and a reward, and that He desired to bless us more!  We believe at that point He called us to give up birth control and to trust Him to be our "family planner", and to trust Him for the size of our family.  (Update: It appears at this time the Lord has closed our womb.  In the past 2 years the Lord has given us 2 little boys but only for a short time.  Jeremiah was stillborn at 14 weeks of pregnancy (Jan 2009) and Jedidiah went home to be with the Lord at 12 weeks (Nov 2009).  We, like Job, will say, "though He slay me, yet will I trust Him".)

 About a year later, the Lord spoke to our hearts again while attending a Missions Conference at our home church, Shades Mountain Bible Church, in Birmingham, AL.  We felt the Lord calling us to become full-time missionaries.  We began to actively pursue where God would have us serve.  We enjoyed an 11-day missions trip to Kazakhstan during this time, where we helped lead a week-long Vacation Bible School.  During that year our oldest son J.T. finished second grade and was "finally" able to attend Ponderosa Bible Camp as his Dad had done for so many years growing up. 

It was through this process that the Lord confirmed our call to serve here at Ponderosa! 

Being obedient to the Lord's call on our lives meant we had to take some GIANT steps of faith...

we sold our house, paid off all our debts, cut up all our credit cards, gave up Jeff's position as Vice President and Director of Operations of one of the largest landscape companies in Birmingham (including the nice paycheck, bonuses, company truck, and health insurance!).