Christ once told His disciples that they benefited from one another's hard work — that as one man plants, another harvests. In a similar way, no man reaps spiritual blessings on his own.

Tim Nelson, pastor of the Kihei and Lahiaina churches, reaped the spiritual blessings of those who came before him when he was recently ordained into the gospel ministry. Just as Jacob's calling and spiritual journey did not start with himself, but with Abraham and Isaac, so too, Nelson's calling and spiritual journey did not start with himself, but with his pastor father, Walter R. Nelson, and grandfather, Russell W. Nelson. "I think it is wonderful that Tim is a third generation pastor, and it was a real privilege to attend his ordination," said retired pastor and friend Robert Cowan.

Family and friends from across Hawaii and California, along with Hawaii Conference officers and pastors, filled the Lahaina church to capacity to celebrate this milestone in Nelson's life.

Paul C. Akeo Sr., Nelson's father in-law, helped to put a Hawaiian stamp on the start of the evening by singing the Doxology in Hawaiian.

The service connected the past to the present. Family and friends delivered updated renditions of songs from his father's and grandfather's generations. Nelson's father delivered a sermon entitled, "Like Father, Like Son."

Hawaii Conference President Ralph Watts III and Nelson's parents led the presentation, ordination charge, and celebration of his calling into ministerial service. "Elder Tim Nelson is a valued part of our team of pastors in the Hawaii Conference," said Watts. "I believe his ministry and leadership will continue to make an impact for advancing God's kingdom and the second coming of Jesus Christ."

Though this high Sabbath ran smoothly, starting with his youngest daughter's baby dedication and ending with a grand ordination dinner celebration, his journey into the ministry did not flow as smoothly.

From a young age, Nelson felt a call into ministry. However, having seen the trials pastors experience, Nelson had other plans. He had his eye on becoming a trial lawyer, being rich, and owning a house on the beach.

Just weeks after getting married in 1999, Nelson and his new wife, Miki, packed their belongings and moved to Sacramento, Calif., to attend law school. Like many times before, Nelson felt the Lord's tugging, but tried to press on.

Then one day while sitting in class, he admitted to himself that the law he was learning was not the law he was supposed to be learning. In 2000, Tim finally succumbed to the nudgings of his Heavenly Father and gave full control of his life over to Him. Nelson believed God could better use him as a teacher to reach young people before they would get to the point where he, as a lawyer, would have had to prosecute them. While in Sacramento, Nelson began working toward his teaching credentials.

In 2001, Miki accepted a call to be a minister of education at Maui Adventist School. There, Tim accepted the call of God into pastoral ministry.

Since moving to Maui, Nelson has seen his church family grow: he started at Kihei in 2001, and added Lahaina in 2004. "We enjoy watching Pastor Tim pray with his church members and visitors," said Joey and Johnnette Cremer of the Kahului church. "He does this after every service during potluck time. We have been blessed by his leadership and friendship, especially through his involvement at Maui Adventist School." Nelson is working on his master's in pastoral ministry through Andrews University.

Nelson has also seen his earthly family grow. He and Miki became the proud parents of Madison Louise Mikiaala in 2003, and Sophia Barbara Kinohimana in 2007. Sharing the love of Jesus with "his girls" is the most precious experience Nelson can imagine.

The lifestyle and sacrifice required for the pastoral ministry are unlike any other, and yet Nelson would not trade his calling for anything. And though he may never live in a mansion on the beach, he looks forward to the day when he will live in a mansion on a hilltop. According to Nelson, the peace and joy he has received from doing God's will have made him the richest man in the world.