The Best Christmas Ever: Lessons from Simeon

As we finish our Advents series, we’ve drawn deep spiritual lessons from the wise men, Mary and Joseph, and the shepherds. Each character has taught us valuable truths:

the wise men showed us the importance of seeking the Lord
Mary reminded us of our need for a Savior
Joseph revealed the beauty of trusting God’s plan
and the shepherds demonstrated that joy comes from listening and acting on God’s message.

Now we turn our attention to someone often overlooked in the nativity story—Simeon. His life offers us timely lessons about patience, faith, and the true meaning of Christmas.

Simeon was a devout and righteous man who had been eagerly waiting for the “consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah. One day, led by the Spirit, Simeon encountered Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus at the temple. Holding the child, Simeon declared powerful words that left Mary and Joseph in awe. From Simeon’s story, we glean three significant lessons for this Christmas season.

Simeon was expectant and full of hope. He diligently studied the Scriptures and prayed, longing for the Messiah. His life of anticipation teaches us the value of waiting on the Lord.

During the holiday rush, patience can run thin. Long lines and hectic schedules test us, but waiting is part of the season. Just as Simeon waited for the first coming of Christ, we too wait for His second coming. Let this Christmas be a reminder to embrace hope and anticipation.

Reflect on what you’re waiting for this season. Is it material gifts, or are you longing for spiritual renewal? Simeon wasn’t focused on worldly desires but on the coming of Christ. As we wait, let’s live holy lives, stay in prayer, and share the gospel. Christ’s return is the greatest gift we anticipate.

Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit, allowing him to recognize Jesus as the Messiah instantly. His communion with God enabled him to see beyond the surface.

This Christmas, let the Holy Spirit fill your heart. When we’re filled with the Spirit, we see Jesus as the salvation and light of the world. The Spirit reveals truth and brings peace, even amidst chaos.

Imagine holding the Savior in your arms as Simeon did. The joy he felt was overwhelming, and his life felt complete. This Christmas, seek the same fulfillment by drawing closer to Christ. Let His light shine through you, pushing back the darkness.

After seeing Jesus, Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph. His words spoke of Christ’s destiny and the impact He would have on the world.

Christmas is a time to bless others. Just as Simeon blessed the Holy Family, we are called to speak life and encouragement to those around us. Generosity, love, and kindness are reflections of God’s love.

Think of ways to be a blessing this season. Can you offer your time, resources, or even a kind word? The more we bless others, the more we experience God’s abundant blessings in return.

Simeon’s story reminds us of the deeper meaning of Christmas. It’s not about the rush of shopping or the glitter of decorations—it’s about Christ, the light of the world. As we celebrate, let’s be expectant, filled with the Spirit, and ready to bless others.

May this Christmas be the best one ever because we remember the true reason for the season. Recommit your heart to God, live in holiness, and share His love with the world. Amen.

Get out and vote 2024!!

As a pastor and a preacher, I want to urge all Christians this election season: Get out and vote. I believe it is our duty as citizens of our state and country, but I also believe it’s especially important given the issues represented in this election. Many of these are not strictly “political.” They are moral and spiritual.

According to some studies, there are 90 million Christians who are eligible to vote in this country yet around 40 million of us do not vote and 15 million are not even registered. Over the last few weeks we have made clear that both candidates and political parties do not reflect the Kingdom of God, that is not a reason to neglect voting.

To that in we have decided to provide a voting guide that you can print off and take to the polls with you. This guide has the full ballot for our area including all the issues that we will be voting on. One mistake that I see over and over is that we think we are just voting on president when there is so much more that we will be deciding. Please download this resource and use it for the glory of God.

Be reminded, on Wednesday morning when we all wake up Christ will still be king regardless of who is elected to the White House. Though it’s important that every Christian votes, I believe America’s only hope is not found in whom we elect as president but in a spiritual awakening.

Before culture can experience an awakening, our church needs to experience revival. The future of our country will not be decided by the ballot box, but in the prayer closet. When God sees a problem in a nation, He doesn’t point His finger at the White House, He points it at His house.

Download your 2024 Election guide here!

Doing Church Together

Starting a new church can seem like a blank canvas, where anything is possible, but that reality is far from the truth. The church isn’t a fully customizable “iChurch” catering to personal preferences; it’s a community of believers—messy people, coming together to worship and follow Jesus. This idea is rooted in the early church, as seen in Acts 2:42-47, where the first church plant emerged.

In this passage, the early Christians gathered around God’s Word, shared life together, took communion, and prayed as a community. This was not about individual preferences but about unity in Christ—what I call “WeChurch.”

Gathering around God’s Word unites us despite our differences, centering us on Christ and the gospel. Doing life together means embracing both the joys and the messiness of our fellowship. Sharing meals and taking communion deepen our bonds, reminding us of Christ’s sacrifice and praying together strengthens our communal ties, keeping us aligned with God’s will.

What is the result? The church grows. As we live out God’s Word, share our lives in fellowship, and worship joyfully, we create a witness that draws others to Christ. In WeChurch, we grow together, in faith and in numbers, as we live out the calling of the early church.

Soul Tattoo: The church grows when we live out God’s Word, share our lives in fellowship, and are joyful in worship.

Malachi: A Call to Renew Our Relationship with God

Sunday, we finished finish up the Summer in the Minor Prophets and I hope that you’ve grown to know and love these books of the Bible and spend time in them — finding Jesus — and the joy that’s found only in him.

The Book of Malachi, the last of the Minor Prophets, serves as a crucial bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Delivered around 400 years before Christ, Malachi’s message addressed a spiritual rut that had taken hold of the people of Israel. Though the Temple had been rebuilt and life had returned to some semblance of normalcy, the people—and even the priests—had lost the joy of truly worshiping God.

Malachi’s prophetic words highlight the people’s decline in faithfulness. He condemns the priests for their corrupt practices, the people for their mixed marriages with foreigners, and their neglect in paying tithes and caring for the poor. The book is structured around a series of debates where God makes statements of truth, only for the people to respond with defensive questions, revealing their hardened hearts.

Despite their spiritual backsliding, Malachi emphasizes that God continues to speak, calling His people back to a genuine relationship with Him. This is not merely about religious routine but about restoring the reality of a close, heartfelt connection with God.

Malachi’s message is timeless: God speaks to us, not to condemn, but to correct and guide us back to Him. Our challenge is to listen, to remove the distractions that drown out His voice, and to cultivate a relationship that goes beyond mere religious formality. As Malachi reminds us, God will tell us what we need to hear, but we must be willing to listen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Pastor Jon Nelson

A Letter to Soma on recent Political Violence

Saturday evening (7/13) we witnessed an assassination attempt on a former President of the United States. Those words are written with significant weight and sadness but I am thankful to say the attempt was unsuccessful.

Over the coming days there will be lingering questions that will need to be answered but we can each agree that this was an act of pure evil that is not and cannot be justified. Violence is not the answer to political disagreements and murder, even attempted, and is called a sin unequivocally in Scripture.

We live in a deeply divided time where people from different political parties have true hatred in their hearts for others. I pray this incident will be a wakeup call that lowers the temperature of our political climate rather than raising it further-that their might be actual dialogue and decency and some starting place of mutual respect for each other’s humanity. The Lord Jesus came into this world and by His life, death, and resurrection, has overcome sin, death, and hell. His resurrection from the dead assures us that, in Him, we also will be raised and never die again.

Our hope and confidence can remain strong because the foundation on which they rest remains unmoved by the wickedness of this world. Now, more than ever, our world needs the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are that light (Matthew 5:14-16) and must stand firm in this evil day by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), which means that we must “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14)-we must let our faith in Him and all that He is for us be strengthened.

My prayer is that we will see this as an opportunity for the Church, as Christ’s Body in the world to lead by example in our faith and our speech and our conduct. Here are some ways we can lead as Christ-followers in this broken world

Faith

We continually hear language coming from both sides that “if the other guys wins, all is lost.” As believers, we know better than to put our faith in an election or any human leader. Jesus Christ is still on the throne and has never left, He is Lord, and He is grieved for the lostness in this world and as believers we have a job to do to reach out with the only hope we have, the Gospel.

Speech:

We must be careful in what we say, in what we post and in what we share. We must be aware of our voices on Social media and in real life. Also, parents this is a good time to talk to your children about the events they likely witnessed us watching in the last few days. Our post, voices, and focus will be seen by the watching world and in many respects are true reflects of our hearts (Luke 6:45, Matt.12-34 – 35)

Conduct:

Are we people whose lives reflect the transformational work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we seek to become more like Him every day? Conduct “worthy of the gospel” includes standing firm together in one spirit, striving for the faith of the gospel with one mind (1:27). Such conduct entails mutual love and concord, humility, and unselfishness (2:2–4). Rivalry, conceit, and self-interest are to be avoided, as well as grumbling and complaining (2:3–4, 14).

SCRIPTURE:

As I prayed about what Scripture to best use to begin our prayer time, I felt led to the words of Our Lord Jesus Himself in the Sermon on the Mount that we often call “The Beatitudes.”

“And He opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

– Matthew 5:2-12 (ESV)

GUIDED PRAYER

We should all stop to pray for President Trump and that those responsible will be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. We should pray for anyone else injured by this despicable incident.
For Donald Trump and the families who were harmed and most personally affected by the shooting
For leaders, those who are willing to serve in public office
For the Church
Commit to praying for our leaders, those who are willing to serve in public office, and appeal to our Lord that His reconciling work would be poured out on this nation to overcome the hatred that is so prevalent in our culture.”
For the Lord’s reconciling work to be poured out on this nation to overcome the hatred that is so prevalent in our culture.

Rooted Mission trip to São Paulo

Cristoländia drug addict recovery center.

Three years ago I received a call from the IMB about an opportunity to go to São Paulo, Brazil for a missions trip specifically for HBCU students. This has been a dream since we planted Soma and I and my wife gladly went to learn more about this opportunity. After our initial trip we were excited of all what this could mean but it took until this year before we could get our students on the trip. It has been our commitment as a church to call out the called while sending out our best and this trip was a prime example of that investment.

We took 8 students, 7 of which had never left the country before and what an adventure it was. If you have ever been on a missions trip with Soma then you know that we go to bless the missionaries and there ministries as much as we can. This was not, in any way, a vacation, we went to work and work we did. The students were placed in many very hard situations and instead of shying away the leaned in and let the Holy Spirit use them in mighty ways. I could spend time telling you all about the trip but we think it would be much better to here from the students themselves. Below are some of the students reflections about the trip.

Hello, my name is Lillian Bower and I’m a junior at Missouri Western University. This summer, I was given an opportunity to go to São Paulo Brazil for a missions trip. I’ve done mission trips within The States, but this experience changed my life. For a week we got to evangelize in the streets to the homeless and those struggling with addiction. Partnering with Cristo Lândia; we offered breakfast, lunch, showers, clean clothes, and a chance to accept Jesus Christ. It was an honor to sit, eat, pray, and serve with those who usually go unseen. I felt filled with purpose being on the ground, doing the work that many don’t want to do. My favorite part was going to the favelas, doing home evangelizing and loving on the kids. It’s amazing how you don’t have to speak the same language to connect with someone. Kindness is a universal language. I loved hearing other testimonies and getting to share mine. Being able to bond over shared experiences of how God has changed our lives, it was humbling. Whether you’re in The States or across the world, every Christian has a story. I believe sharing our stories can encourage others and bring others to Christ.

– Lilliy

The visit to São Paulo, Brazil, provided a valuable and immersive cultural experience. Engaging with local communities outside of typical tourist areas provided me with a meaningful exchange of perspectives. The opportunity to positively impact individuals ranging in age, and making them feel acknowledged was particularly fulfilling. Being able to observing the diverse journeys and circumstances of the people we encountered was very insightful. Interacting with the children and being able to connect with them on a playful level was an enriching experience. Reflecting on the trip, it became evident that it was an important pivotal moment for me in my spiritual growth, and deeper understanding of faith.

– Courtney

My experience from the Brazil mission trip was truly rewarding. It was my first international mission trip and such a memorable one! It was a blessing being able to serve the people of São Paulo along with the churches, translators, leaders, my team, and other believers. Even though there were challenges and hardships going on in people’s lives, they were still open to talking to us and open for prayer. The people, culture, and delicious foods is something I’ll never forget!My favorite part of the trip was interacting with the children in the favela. They were so happy and excited to play! Another favorite part was listening to testimonies at one of the house visits we did. I woke up every morning in awe that I was in another country, let alone another continent! I thank the Lord for being able to use me in any way, shape, and form and for working in the lives of the people of São Paulo!

– Chyler

On May 14th I took my first ever trip overseas with the Rooted college ministry. It was life changing. The people were very welcoming. So many were excited to have us and excited to get to know us. Everywhere we went, we were met with good food, smiling faces, and eagerness to work together and worship. God moved mightily. Two days in particular stand out in my mind.

The first was our second working day. We partnered with a ministry that held two worship services and gave out a free sandwich and drink at the end. First, after having orientation and going on a prayer walk at the park, we went out to eat for lunch. However, we had some complications and ended up about an hour behind. But God. After we finished, we went back to the park and began to invite people to the services. After inviting and evangelizing, we went back to the place of worship, where we proceeded to have three fully packed out services. Afterwards, many people stayed to chat with us as they ate. It was an amazing day.

The second day that stood out to me, was our last working day. We partnered with a ministry that works with children in different favelas, or neighborhoods as they are called in America. The children were wonderful to work with. They were very open and affectionate. Many wanted hugs, to hold someone’s hand or to simply just talk to us. They were also very playful and loved futball. It was another amazing day I will not forget.

My experience in Brazil was exciting, challenging, and it strengthened my faith. I want to go back next year. I will be learning Portuguese so I can speak more with the people and understand them. I also hope that I can share the gospel with others here in America more often. I don’t want to only share when I’m not in a familiar place. I want everyone to hear about Jesus, understand who He is, and understand what He’s done for the entire world.

– Gloria

We assisted the local churches of Saõ Paulo, Brazil with their daily work such as feeding the homeless, letting them take showers, and playing with children from the favelas. My favorite part was worshipping with the churches and trying the locals’ food which were really tasty. I saw God moving in places where no hope and broken souls lived. He was breathing life in people where others would let them continue on their path of death. It truly was a amazing experience.

– Whitney

My first time out the country was my mission trip to Brazil. This Mission trip allowed me to understand the Lord’s patience and his grace. Being a part of a collegiate team of people that are strong in their faith and walk and able to help spread his word is a huge blessing. I kept reminding myself it’s bigger than me, everything I do for the Lord is bigger than all of us. Being able to spread his word no matter the language barrier or the difficulties allowed me to see the spiritual gifts he put into my life. I love brazil, the culture the food and more. I would love to go there again. Over the trip it allowed me to wonder if the Lord is calling me to missions. Vai Palmeries 💪🏽

– Brian

My time in Brazil was fun, but also challenging. Seeing the culture and hearing the language It was lovely. What I love most though was the love that was everywhere. It was beautiful while also being there though the thing I struggled with most was my focus and even though I struggled with that, I remember the mission at hand which was to extend the hand of ministry. Also growing closer to God and getting better at sharing my testimony. Now that’s I’m back I feel that I did that but I know I still have room to grow.

– Renayjah

Stepping Forward with God’s Divine GPS: Breaking Free from Past Shackles

Have you ever questioned the direction of your life’s journey? Perhaps it’s time to hit pause, connect with God’s GPS, and explore the series “God’s Divine Directions.” Drawing an analogy from my car’s GPS revelation, where the destination appears only when I’m near, we unravel a profound truth about God’s GPS system. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) sets the foundation, emphasizing that while we plan our course, it is the Lord who determines our steps.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

– Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The journey unfolds step by step, and today, we delve into the importance of forward steps on this divine path.

Begin with recognizing the similarity between earthly GPS and God’s divine guidance. Proverbs 16:9 serves as our guiding scripture, illuminating the concept that, with God’s GPS, the destination remains a mystery until we faithfully follow each step. Much like the screen of my car’s GPS, which reveals short distances before the final destination, God leads us through incremental steps.

In Philippians 3:12-13 and Exodus 14:12, 15-16, we confront a pivotal question: Are we actively taking forward steps spiritually in our lives? Stagnation or regression may indicate a need to align ourselves with the insights from these scriptures.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,”

-Philippians 3:12–13 (ESV)

“Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness… The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. [16] Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

– Exodus 14:12, 15-16 (ESV)

A critical impediment to forward steps is being anchored in the past. Paul’s wisdom in Philippians urges us to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. While reminiscing is natural, true liberation lies in embracing the present and taking that essential step forward. There is a reason that the rear-view mirror is smaller than your windshield.

Diving into the transformative power of forgiveness as a key to breaking free from the past. Matthew 18:21-22 emphasizes forgiveness, challenging us to break the chains holding us back. Whether it’s forgiving others or ourselves, this section encourages us to recognize that forgiveness is the key to stepping forward into a brighter future.

Standing still won’t reveal the full extent of God’s greatness. The Israelites had to continue to move forward to witness the extraordinary wonders God has in store and reveals God’s greatness in unexpected ways.

Acknowledging that not all steps are equal, especially in the spiritual realm, we explore the strain and effort required. Every step towards God demands leaving comfort zones and straining to move forward. Paul’s experiences echo in our understanding that spiritual steps forward often require everything we have.

Are you willing to do that today?

2023 YEAR END LETTER

Dear Soma Family,

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

– Proverbs 19:21

No one really knows how a journey will end as they take the first step. Life is full of unexpected roadblocks, detours, and hidden blessings—and this year has seen all three in abundance. Honestly, how many of your plans made it to the finish line this year? The end of the year is a good time to pull over and consider the road behind us as we prepare to navigate the road ahead. 2023 is ending, and how different this year turned out to be from what we expected when it began.

Though these past months have been tough, I am thankful to God for how he has worked in and through our congregation. We have seen church members work valiantly to keep us connected through worship gatherings services and Gospel Community meals/ study. We have ministered to our community through Affordable Christmas project, serving Lincoln University students, staff and administration while also serving our local elementary school Moreau Heights and in favelas in Brazil. We have also learned to pray together better than ever.

Many people are struggling financially this year, so I do not want to pressure you to give if you are unable — in fact, if you need help, we invite you to contact our Elders to explore ways we might assist you — but if you are in a position to give right now, I encourage you to consider Soma in your year-end giving plans. You can give in-person or online at somajc.org.

These last few years has been hard for our church financially. Many people have given faithfully, and we have been helped by fundraising efforts from our Elders, but we are still running behind our budget. So, any extra amount you might give at this time will be a big help.

More than anything, please continue to uphold our church in your prayers. Post-Covid we have had members of the congregation in a multitude of life stages and as they come to mind, please mention them in prayer to the Lord. These have been difficult times for all of us, and we all need each other’s support. Continue to be expectant and patient as we move into the new year. Join me in seeking God’s face in prayer (more on that in the coming days).

I’m not sure how many of your plans crashed and burned this year. Many of my friends feel like 2023 was a hard year—a year that lacked momentum, even so, plans are different from purpose. Plans involve getting to a desired destination in life—purpose is about destiny. The beautiful thing about God’s providence is that it unites our plans (even the bad ones) to His purpose for us and we know His purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son as He prepares us for an eternity of solid, unending joy (Romans 8:28-30).

While there are many worthwhile ministries to which many of us give, we encourage you to make your local church, the bride of Christ, a priority in your giving. This might be a chance to renew your monthly tithe, or to give a special year-end gift. Those in our church who give generously would all tell you that there is great joy in giving. May you experience his joy and contentment as you give back to God the first fruits of what he has given you!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Jon C. Nelson, on behalf of the elders

How should Christians approach Halloween (or any other holiday)?

Halloween can be a polarizing time of year for Christians. Some Christians believe that Halloween is inherently evil while others believe that it is harmless. Some churches prohibit their members from celebrating Halloween, some churches offer fun Halloween night alternatives (Reformation Nights, Fall Festivals, etc.), some churches encourage their members to “redeem” Halloween.

[Read more…]

on the untimely passing of Don Hinkle

As many of you know Don Hinkle, founding editor of the Missouri Baptist Conventions “Pathway”, stepped into the presence of Jesus yesterday. Recently, he had planned to transition away from the Pathway at the end of the year, yet his transition came early and to a much better position. The day his transition was announced I had the opportunity to say “Thank you” for his years of service and express my excitement of his next venture. If you knew Don you knew that he cared deeply about serving churches and consistently helped Baptist across the nation to to articulate a biblical worldview in all aspects of life.

Whenever we would visit would talk about everything from Jesus, politics, sports, bowties and the state of journalism amongst other things. Under his leadership Missouri Baptist experienced many years of Kingdom service. While I am sad to see him pass, I know he is in heaven reunited with his sweet Bernadette and walking the Streets of Gold! Nevertheless, I have hope that I will see them both again in glory as we worship at the Throne of the Lamb, but for now we grieve, knowing that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away.

Thank you, Don Hinkle, for your friendship, leadership, love for the Kingdom of God
, and commitment to Southern Baptists.