Meet the Author – Rev. Dr. Frank Nelson

Rev. Frank graduated from the University of Sioux Falls with an English major and has been writing numerous books, articles and curriculum since 1976. He received his Masters of Divinity from Central Theological in Kansas City, and began serving churches in Davenport, Knoxville, and Des Moines, IA. For the next 23 years he served as pastor of a church in Woodbury, MN until his early retirement in 2008.

In 1993 he received his doctorate from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN with a special focus on the good things that come from good relationships. His conclusion was that effective ministry arises out of loving relationships. Jesus said that we’re to love God, neighbor and self, too. As a practical result of his doctoral work, Dr. Nelson established TalkPoints, a publishing company committed to serving the church and world by making it easy for anyone to have a really good talk. He has created many church resources including guided faith talks between adults and youth during confirmation, guided conversations to help engaged couples prepare for marriage and to help married couples enrich their marriages. In addition to all of these, he has written and published the eleven mission journals introduced on this site. Click here to view more TalkPoints resources.

Dr. Nelson brings more than 35 years of mission experience to each of the journals he writes. He has a passion for mission and has seen over and over the positive, life-changing power of a short-term mission trip.

Married for more than 43 years, Rev. Frank has three children who are also married. His nine grandchildren add much joy and meaning to his life. In his spare time he likes to camp, hike, fish, watch a beautiful sunset (or sunrise), take in a good movie or read a good book.