On my recent time on the road with Third Day, God again proved to me that if I'm willing to stick my neck out and spark up conversation with the person sitting next to me on a plane flight it will be worthwhile. On one occasion I opened up a conversation with a guy in the US army on compassionate leave from Iraq. His mother-in-law had passed away and he'd arrived at Baghdad airport at 7.30 am Monday morning for a flight which eventually left at midnight. We were on a flight on Wednesday afternoon and the funeral had started just before he boarded the plane in Chicago. I was able to share some of my experience with Third Day in Iraq earlier in the year, and had an honest and open conversation with him. I was on my way to meet the band ready to play at the Nebraska state fair, and on the plane back to Atlanta the next day I spotted a big guy carrying a snare drum case in the departure lounge. He ended up next to me, and despite him looking daunting with his shaved head and tattoos, I started to chat. He turned out to be the drummer for the classic rock band Starship and had met Ringo Starr and Keith Moon ( from The Who) over the years. Even better from my point of view, he knew the drummers from Supertramp and Huey Lewis & the News- two of my favourite bands. We talked classic rock, politics, faith, life in general, exchanged emails, and I introduced him to the guys in Third Day when we got off the plane. We've sent him a copy of the Revelation album and my new book. I'm constantly learning to shrug off my natural indifference, come out of my own cosy little world and risk talking to people- it's a thrill to see what God does with it.
God's words
- 1Chr. 16:31Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
CITY CHURCH CARDIFF, ELIM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH>
- CITY TEMPLE CHURCH CARDIFF
I'm on the pastoral team of this thriving multi-cultural Elim Pentecostal Church in the heart of Cardiff- the capital city of Wales.
THIRD DAY
- THIRD DAY
From 2001-2016 I spent part of my year on the road as pastor to the Christian rock band Third Day.
WALESWIDE
- WALESWIDE
I am part of the church planting and strengthening ministry Waleswide, alongside leaders from across the evangelical spectrum and geographical spread of the nation.
ELIM WALES
- ELIM INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS
Both personally and in my local church role I am pleased to stand with our Elim Missions Dept. - ELIM WALES
I spend part of my time as the regional co-ordinator for Elim in Wales-working with churches and leaders.
GATEWAY MINISTRIES/IGNITE INDIA
- GATEWAY MINISTRIES/IGNITE INDIA
Lots going on in and around Rajahmundry, India- been involved in this work since 2005.
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09/07/2008
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MY PUBLICATIONS
- Lessons From The Road by Nigel James and Third Day.
- Ignite: God's Purpose for This Generation (Paperback) by Nigel James.
- Seven Ways to Ignite Your Life: Life Lessons from 1 Samuel (Paperback) by Nigel James
- Seven Myths of Youth Ministry: How to Re-Ignite Your Passion (Paperback) by Nigel James, Gary Smith
- Seven Ways to Ignite Outrageous Prayer (Paperback) by Carl Brettle, Nigel James
Some of my Sermons
- A Friend Called Grace
- Word and Spirit
- Can We Fix it? Yes We Can?
- I am the Light of the World
- I am the True Vine
- God and the Generations.
- Growing in Grace-Less judgment, more forgiveness, more thankfulness.
- Equipping the Saints-5 fold ministry.
- Led by the Spirit-Paul and Barnabas on Cyprus.
- Unnamed people are vital-the story of Cornelius.
- The Persecuted Church-Stephen the martyr.
- What's the point of Communion?
- Building a healthy future-by putting the right foundations down now.
- Incarnation-short Christmas message.
- Confidence in Uncertain Times.
- Anointed by the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit-Our director of missions.
- Burden bearers or burden makers?
- Why should I be baptized?
- From the Encounter to the Call.
- Come Over Here And Help Us- The Macedonian Call.
- Rock of Ages.
- People of the Cross- the distinctives of discipleship.
- Samuel-Listen to the Voice of God.
- Kingdom Priorities-Money, Time, and Talents.
- Abraham-Kids, Covenants and Countries.
- Gifted to Lead and Train others.
- Living Tough when things get Rough.
Well that's how I met you! So who knows where a little chatting will end up!
Jesus knows!
*hugs*
God bless you Nigel.
I too have been remarkably surprised by speaking to strangers. Its amazing that when we stop looking inward and look to Christ, where He will take us! Amen!
You have inspired me to keep on!
I am proud of you!
BTW....its funny that you say "If you don't ask, you'll never know", for I have a whopper of a question to ask you. haha. I will write in the next few days.
Posted by: Joan Young | 09/08/2008 at 03:32 AM