Dear Friends,
Please take this opportunity leave your favorite memories of Roger to share with his family. May we all give and receive blessings through these loving, heartfelt tributes.
Roger has finished his race; and he ran it well! So may we finish ours with the same Spirit enabling us to live a life “Directed” by the Light of the World and acted out in such a way before all men, that the script is written “not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” from 2 Corinthians 3:3
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But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:16-17
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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
A Quote by C.S. Lewis
But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are no greater than the beauties of a thousand other men; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are, like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship, increased by Him through the Friendship itself, so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
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One year ago today, Heaven rejoiced as Roger Friteof Nelson came home. We, your still earthbound brothers and sisters, miss you dear one. Your laughter, your strong spirit, your “Singing Lustily and With Good Courage” and your passion for spreading the Kingdom of God to anyone and everyone. We watched as you faithfully traveled the world spreading the Gospel through your God given talents. No matter the venue or the size of the audience, you rejoiced that His Word went out and each and every soul saved through your efforts brought pure joy to your heart.
Over the years you worked hard to be a true friend to so many of us; growing and maturing in your ability to understand, forgive and encourage through life’s thick and thin.
We rejoice in knowing that you are with the Lord, His angels and the saints… and are seeing things which at this point we can’t even imagine! Glory, Glory dear brother and you are there! I can see you standing and singing with an angel choir, “lustily and with good courage”!
Miss you, love you, see you soon.
Gale : >
Today September 28, 2019 is your birthday. I miss you dear friend so very much. Soon we will all be together again where there will be no more tears, sickness or sorrow. Today I celebrated our wonderful memories and the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Thank you Roger for bringing the light of God with you into each relationship. Happy Birthday Viking Man! Always with love, Gale. : >
I worked with Roger over a decade ago as I introduced his talent and performance to Shepherd of the Hills UMC. It was an attempt to produce funds to support our mission operations. We barely cleared enough of significance; however, I and our group and the attendees of the performance were richly rewarded by Roger’s excellent performance of St. Patrick. In working with Roger, I found him to be a genuine christian person and enjoyed the interaction. He was helpful in getting us in touch with an Irish dance group that also performed well as part of the program we held. I just now found out of his passing. I feel sadness in his passing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the friends and family. God Bless your work.
Roger inspired me to quit my day job and do one-man plays as a career. Here’s the story and more of my tribute to Roger’s life well-lived: http://www.RichDrama.com/RogerNelson .
I just learned a few days ago about the passing of my most precious friend, Roger Nelson. We were friends since the ’70’s in NYC (both of us actors and new Christians at the time!) On Facebook I was able to post a picture of Roger at one of our happy gatherings at my place as well as so many other gatherings and wonderful times in the years we’ve been great buddies-in-the-Lord! Ironic because in that picture of six of us, three are now in Heaven (including Roger) and I know the other two greeted Rog with great joy when he entered Heaven! I was so proud of Roger. His Pastor in NYC had a dream about Roger doing a one-man show of John Wesley! Rog took up the gauntlet and plunged into the rest of his life doing a MOST EXCELLENT one-man show of John Wesley all over the world. And years later he added another spectacular one-man show of St. Patrick with the same excellence as well as other inspiring and inspired acting gigs. Roger was so kind and loving, full of JOY and reaching out to many folks who became instant friends! He was such a dear friend, and he will be sorely missed! But there is always that marvelous HOPE that we have as Christians (and a HOPE that is not a “wish” but the ANCHOR of our SOUL) that one fine day … because of what Jesus Christ bought for us on the cross … ONE FINE DAY we will be together again in SUCH a glorious grand reunion with our Savior and those we love!!! I can only imagine Roger’s unbounded joy even now in the presence of our wonderful Savior Who, I am sure, greeted Roger with “Well done, good and faithful servant!
Here’s the photo Ann mentions: https://www.facebook.com/RichSwingle/posts/10156843840247279?notif_id=1552590663970511¬if_t=wall&ref=notif
Our family has been immensely blessed by Roger’s friendship since we joined the staff of the USCWM in 2004 and met through attending his performance of St. Patrick on the William Carey campus the following year. What a treat that was! And what a precious gift his friendship became.
He was wonderfully supportive of our starting a theater company on campus, attending our performances, giving a devotional for one of our casts, playing the roles of the rabbi and the elderly shepherd for our debut reading of the musical “The Promise” in 2015, cheering on our daughter the playwright and our daughter the actress as they developed their gifts. He even drove out to APU to attend a performance directed by our youngest for her senior capstone at a time when he was becoming somewhat frail. We thank the Lord for Roger, for his friendship and talent, his encouragement and inspiration, his prayers and unfailing love for our Lord.
We miss him and regret that we will be out of town and unable to attend his memorial service, but we look forward to an eternity with this very special brother and servant of God.
Roger Nelson was an extraordinarily kind and strong man. I met Roger 15 years ago when I had returned to the practice of medicine after an extended sabbatical, and he was brave enough to be my patient. We stayed in touch over the years as our respective careers evolved. I was honored to bring my eldest son with me to one of Roger’s memorable and inspiring off-Broadway performance in New York City. From time to time Roger sought my advice about health concerns. Ultimately we concurred that there are more answers to our human conditions in faith than in science. In his last years Roger’s courage and positivity showed me how one lives with grace. I will miss Roger.