Meet the neighbors: The Nielson Family

Meet the Nielson family, 

Andrew, Katelyn, and Nick have been living in the community about as long as we have. They are here while Andrew attends USC Medical school and is on the way to becoming a doctor. Their son Nick is almost exactly the same age as Enoch but is much more shy. Andrew is currently in his third year of med school, which means he is currently working in a hospital doing clinical rotations in various units doing hands on learning of the different medical fields. He is originally from Anderson, SC, but they met at college in Utah. We learned very early on that they are Mormons. We also learned from Facebook that Andrew identifies as gay. Now, the Mormon website affirms that people have same-sex attraction, but affirms that sex outside of one man and woman in a marriage is wrong. 

We have had very little interactions with Andrew because of how busy he is, but Adelaide does activities with Katelyn revolving around the children playing together. It is evident that Katelyn is lonely. She is removed from her support network back home while they are here for med school. We have also noted that they are not quick to share their faith—which goes against the Mormon stereotype. 

Trying to bring a Mormon to the true Jesus is difficult. They use all the same language and phrases that Christians use (God, Jesus, Bible, repentance, Holy Spirit, faith) and will say that they are Christians. In the military, Mormon chaplains wear the same symbol every other Christian chaplain wears—the cross. In our research on the topic, we have learned that young Mormons are under a lot of pressure to perform and to always have a picture-perfect family. There are statistics that state the average Mormon female is 5x more likely to have anxiety and/or depression and is taking medication for it. 

I think my anxiety would also be through the roof if I belonged to a works-based faith.

Especially if it demanded I have a family that modeled perfection. 

In our (mainly Adelaide’s) efforts to love on this young lady we have had to be careful. We work very had to not rejoice in things that seem to come by effort. We have done our best to simply display that our life in Christ isn’t a miserable existence of always needing to perform. Adelaide has also been intentional about being a sounding board for Katelyn when she displays dissidence from the expected norm and talks about topics that are contrary to the ‘ideal image’ that she is expected to maintain. 

We use the same approach with Katelyn that we use with several other female residents that have outlandish beliefs. We strive to be that Christian that is present and engaged in their life when others have walked away. We know we cannot debate deep theological issues, nor is that usually what wins people over to the true Christ. What wins people over is the love of Christ displayed in our persistence to stay close to this person and continue loving them through their trials. That is what we are striving for with several residents, including Katelyn. We know we may not win them over with logic and good theology, but rather with our steadfastness in their lives.

We have been working with her for about two years, which has been filled with slow intentionality. Intentionally building a friendship built around friendship, not centered around faith/religion. Intentionally not having a quick evangelism technique (which Mormons also use and may be a trigger point for her). Intentionally using the ears of Jesus to listen to her worries in life. With persistent love and presence, we know that in time we can reach this family. 

We (all Christians) cannot underestimate how powerful a long-term ministering relationship can be. Often we want a short, 2-step process that makes a person have the exact same level of faith and church involvement we ourselves have. And while there certainly is a time and place for such efforts, sometimes a person needs a Christian loving them with persistent endurance through life’s ups and downs—even if it is difficult on our part. 

Would you please join us in praying for this family that needs the peace of Christ so dearly?

Do you have any questions or prayer requests? Please feel free to reach out when the time is right for you. 

In Christ, 

Daniel Maggard