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Read Local: The Life of the Party by Local Author Jason J. Nelson

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Hello Woodlands interviewed local author Jason J. Nelson to discuss his recently released debut novel, The Life of the Party.

Author Jason J. Nelson
Jason J. Nelson, author of The Life of the Party and lead pastor at Rose Hill United Methodist Church

Jason J. Nelson is an ordained elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and currently the lead pastor at Rose Hill United Methodist Church. Nelson invites readers to come to faith in Christ as they delve within the pages of his new spiritually inspirational book titled “The Life of the Party,” published by WestBow Press, that highlights the life, light and love Jesus gives.

Nelson completed the novel during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that was inspired by a sermon series he delivered a few years ago along with the message to focus on the one that brings life. In the book, Nelson uses a combination of his personal testimony, scripture references and Bible stories to illustrate the important role Jesus plays in the lives of all of his people. Using the theme of being the life of the party, he communicates Jesus’ presence in every event of people’s lives and throughout their faith journey. The novel explains how Jesus is both human and divine. It discusses who he is, what he has done and what he will do.

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“Jesus is the Life of the Party,” Nelson stated. “Most people see Jesus as serious, and he is at times. But he’s also full of life and energy, he’s charismatic and passionate. He’s fun to watch and brings joy everywhere he goes.”

The Life of the Party by Jason J. Nelson
The Life of the Party by Jason J. Nelson

Jason’s favorite personal story that he shared in the book was when he read the bible verses of when Jesus calmed the storm – a story that he read to his children at night and even acted it out to make the story come alive off the pages. “Telling that story showed a sign of the power of Jesus, but at the same time – how fun it is to recite the stories from the bible.” In sharing the story with his children Nelson recalled his personal visit to the Sea of Galilee and “could picture where the storm could have come from. Maybe not the exact spot, but I could see exactly how it could have looked when Jesus calmed the storm.”

The Life of the Party encourages others to grow in their relationship with Jesus and receive everything he offers. The novel also aims to incite a new or renewed passion for reading the Bible, especially the Gospels. Nelson shared, “I just want to give people a taste [in the book] – I want people to be inspired to go back to go read the bible themselves.”

In writing his first novel, Nelson said, “It takes a lot of focus. The book was a labor of love, patience, hard work, and a lot more difficult than I expected. Looking back, as a kid I learned to memorize the stories and verses in the bible. But now these stories – they own me. It’s a lesson for my spiritual growth: if I put in the time and work to study the bible, I see how impactful that they may be in my life.” 

Nelson looks forward to publishing more resources for the church, video series, a series for lent, and more novels in the future. “I’m sitting on an idea for a book on mental health, on battling depression and the depths of despair, which is a reality for many human beings. Not just a story, but a resource that is useful so others can identity and know they are not alone – to communicate that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and light within you.”

The Life of the Party by Jason J. Nelson is now available to purchase on AmazonBarnes & Noble, Target, Cokesbury, and WestBow Press.

To learn more about Jason J. Nelson and get updates, visit his website at jasonjnelson.com.

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About the Author

Jason J. Nelson is an ordained elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and is serving on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors. He holds B.A., M.A., M.Ed., and M.Div. degrees from Trinity International University, Trinity Graduate School, Houston Baptist University, and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. In the spring of 2021, Nelson was awarded an honorary doctor of divinity degree for his service to the church, commitment to his community, and contribution to the fields of theological and biblical studies. Nelson has served several churches under episcopal appointment: Christ United Methodist Church (Sugar Land, Texas), The Woodlands United Methodist Church (The Woodlands, Texas), and is currently the lead pastor at Rose Hill United Methodist Church (Tomball, Texas). Before entering full-time Christian ministry, Nelson spent seven years in public education as a teacher, department head and coach.  During his time in public education, he initiated after school mentoring programs and raised thousands of dollars for local school libraries through For the Kids Golf Classics. Nelson is also a published author and is regularly invited to speak throughout the country. He is an advocate for education, mental health awareness, breast cancer research, and community/global assistance ministries. He and his family moved to The Woodlands in 2013. Learn more at jasonjnelson.com.

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