Editor’s Note: This writer approached me recently concerning her desire to spend time in the presence of seasoned Christians in order to glean their wisdom and to put these interactions into article form for Christian Ladies Fellowship. This is the seventh of several interviews that she has written with the intent to help and motivate a younger generation of Christian ladies to examine how much more of their lives can they give to God. I know each reader will be encouraged through these unique interviews by Abigail Medford.
An Interview with Linda Nelson
"Every day is a new day and a new adventure."
Every person has had that teacher in his growing up years who planted priceless seeds of inspiration that left an indelible imprint on his life forever. What are the ingredients that make up that teacher, whose influence stays in the character of his students long into their adulthoods? Perhaps, it is the passion for his field of study passed so completely to his students. It maybe is the genuine devotion to enabling his pupils to grow. Some may argue it was that unwavering drive to push his students out of their comfort zones and to make them realize their true potential. While an unending list of these could be long debated, I believe many, if not all, can be found in one lady who touched not just my life, but hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of others.
As a mainstay of Berean Christian Academy since 1985, Linda Nelson is the only teacher to have taught on all four of BCA’s locations. During that time, she has taught almost every subject and grade level while serving under six principals, even being the elementary principal herself for a time. She has played a vital role in educating future missionaries, pastors, teachers, assistant pastors, and countless faithful Christians. One of her former pupils is now her pastor, and some of those who sat under her tutelage throughout the years teach alongside her today.
Growing up in Ohio, Linda Nelson was not involved in church during her childhood years. Her first taste of the Bible came through a little portion of the book of Psalms that she and her sister found. Intrigued by the verses, the two girls tried to memorize as much of it as they could. It was not until Linda was a 19-year-old college freshman that she attended church. Her sister had joined a Baptist church and invited Linda to come with her. There, on a Sunday morning, she heard the gospel for the very first time. She was saved that night during the evening service.
In the early 80s, Linda and her family joined Clay Baptist Temple, now Immanuel Baptist Church. She knew that this was the church where she wanted to rear her daughters. Linda began teaching at Berean Christian Academy in 1985, when she was asked to teach fourth grade.
She has been teaching at BCA and attending Immanuel Baptist Church ever since. She has served in many ministries there, including Sunday school, junior church, soulwinning, nursery, choir, nursing homes, and the bus ministry. Perhaps, her most important work has been as an altar worker, where she has been able to lead a multitude of children and adults to salvation. While she served, she faithfully reared her two daughters for the Lord and can rejoice to see them serving Him with their lives today.
How has Linda Nelson been able to balance her responsibilities as a Christian, a schoolteacher, and a mother? How has she been able to remain faithful through these decades? How has she been able to retain such a positive spirit during times of change?
During our interview, I was impressed anew with three fundamental parts of her admirable character that answer these questions:
She does not rely on her own strength. Linda Nelson’s life verse is Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. There is no way that she would be able to balance all of her responsibilities without supernatural strength. She is not superhuman, but she has tapped into the power of the omnipotent God. This helped her to stay up late into the night, preparing her lessons after her children went to bed. This gave her the strength to spend her weekends serving the Lord. This energized her to travel to copious school athletic games and class field trips. The fortification from her God enabled her to do the countless other things she has accomplished, seemingly with ease, throughout her teaching career at BCA.
She has a genuine love for others. Every person who has been Mrs. Nelson’s student can attest that she cares for each individual. From the newest student to the oldest one, and from the most difficult student to the model pupil, each one has felt this genuine love. She always tries to see the best in each child. She practices this in a purposeful way by looking around her classroom while her class is taking a test, trying to see each student as his mother would see him. Her demonstration of love to her students is even more important for the fact that she notes the opportunity to witness to unsaved children and teenagers
She has an indomitable sense of adventure. Mrs. Nelson has seen her fair share of changes throughout her career, and while many people fear those changes, she has embraced them. “Every day is a new day and a new adventure,” she said, then quoted Psalm 118:24, This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Cheering at the third basketball game of the week, teaching class on a school bus, or being given a different class each year are simply new adventures to be met with a positive spirit and her characteristic bright smile.
Linda Nelson shared that the greatest blessing she receives as a teacher is seeing her students serving the Lord faithfully and knowing that she had a small part in preparing them for their place in God’s world. May her example encourage us all, whether her former students or not, to continue honoring the investment that she has made into the generations of young people for the cause of Christ.
by Abigail Medford
