The Nelson Fund for Bangladesh

Towards the end of their long and distinguished service in The Salvation Army, Commissioners John and Elizabeth Nelson were stationed as Territorial Commander and Director of Women's Ministries in Pakistan. This was followed by an appointment to London England as International Secretary for the area. Their daughter, now Lieut. Colonel Elizabeth Nelson, sharing their heart for this region of the world, has served in Bangladesh* both as a lay person and as an officer. In 2023, she returned to Bangladesh as Territorial Commander.

Bangladesh has a huge population and is not a wealthy country. It is low lying and subject to regular flooding. The work of The Salvation Army there is young and the officers serving under Lieut. Colonel Elizabeth have many needs which cannot be met through normal channels of funding. I know that Elizabeth cares deeply about their welfare and the welfare of their children. This fundraising initiative would give her access to a discretionary fund to be used for these needs. She might use this money for:

My husband Robert and I have known four generations of the Nelson family. We know them to be leaders of great integrity and compassion. This fund is being set up as memorial fund in memory of Commissioners John and Elizabeth Nelson. Their work continues as Lieut. Colonel Elizabeth returns to Bangladesh. The fund will remain active while she is stationed there and will be used in its entirety for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.

In North America, we have much. Some of us go to Starbucks and spend $10 on a special coffee! Would we be willing to put $10 a month into this fund? Or would we be willing to give a one-time donation in any amount? Well might James be writing about us.

"You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:2b-3

I am asking.

Thank you for your help with this fund-raising initiative.

With grateful thanks,

Connie Knighton

*Note: Bangladesh was previously part of Pakistan and was known as East Pakistan before becoming an independent country. Canada and Bangladesh are sister countries in The Commonwealth of Nations.