By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … In the first Rocky Mountain Conference office staff meeting of 2021 Eric Nelson, vice-president for administration, closed the meeting with a statement that many in the office are still absorbing: “As of April 1, I will be officially retiring from service at RMC.”
Nelson has been serving RMC in ministry for the last 35 years, including many years at Campion and Campion Academy. Prior to his service in RMC, he was youth pastor in Oregon.
Life-long friend and colleague, and former RMC pastor Steve Schwartz reflected on Nelson’s ministry and work ethic, “I am so grateful for what Eric Nelson does. Since, as students, we worked together on a Campion Academy maintenance crew, until his recent years as RMC vice-president for administration, his work ethic is clear. With God-inspired wisdom he has multiplied his talents through the years to become, I believe, RMC’s single greatest human resource.”
Others who have work with Nelson for many years echoed Schwartz thoughts.
“Eric Nelson is a man who has worked faithfully at striving to show Jesus to all who come under his influence. He is patient, caring, compassionate, and strives to see the best in everyone and in all situations. As you might guess when an individual is in an administrative capacity there are sometimes decisions that must be made that are not easy. I can guarantee, from watching him behind the scenes, that his decisions are made only after much time in thought and prayer and with the very best intentions,” Lonnie Hetterle, former RMC director of education said.
Church members from Nelson ministry time in the Western Slope recalled the many who were touched.
“Pastor Eric Nelson served for a period of time on the Western Slope as the Assistant to the President. During that time, he and his wife Jerene served as the connection between the Western Slope and the Conference Office. God used Eric & Jerene’s ministry to touch the lives of the Rocky Mountain Conference members in this area,” Arlene Rushold, Grand Junction church member remarked.
Nelson in his statement to office staff explained his decision.
“We intend to move north out of Denver, but remain close to our family who live in Longmont, Judah, (my nine-year-old grandson) said, “I wish Gramma and Grampa lived next door and we could just walk to their house.” We may not live next door, but close.”
RMC President Ed Barnett commented on the announcement, “Pastor Nelson has been a pillar in our conference for 35 years and will be greatly missed. Eric has been a good friend of mine since 1999. The last seven years we have worked side by side and I have loved working with him. He is a godly leader who has been a tremendous blessing to me and our conference. Eric and Jerene! We are glad that you will be retiring in Colorado so we will see you from time to time. May God richly bless your retirement.”
Nelson’s integrity is one of the aspects many will remember.
“His integrity has been built in relationship after relationship. And his faith and competency are augmented by friendliness, a sense of humor and love of fun,” Schwartz commented.
Gary Thurber, former RMC President, now president of Mid-America Union Conference, commented, “Eric is one of the finest Christian men I have ever worked with. He Loved the Lord, his family, and his church. Probably no one knows more about RMC than him. He was a joy to work with!”
Hetterle added, “Even behind closed doors, Eric embodies the challenge found in Phillipians 4:8 as his thoughts and words always are “true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report”. Jesus Christ is our only true example but I consider Eric Nelson a very worthy example of a true Christ follower.”
Nelson concluded the statement address his colleagues with, “Thank you for blessing me with the opportunity of working with two of the greatest fellow officers that I have served with. God has blessed us with Ed Barnett and George Crumley. To all of the staff, Jerene and I count you as lifelong friends and will not be far away. May God bless you all and this great conference in the future.”
The RMC Executive committee will be meeting over the next few months to choose an interim VP for Administration to fulfill the remaining term of Nelson.
—Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant
