Bloom Wherever God Plants You

About the Book

Dean Joshua Mastine Nisbett reflects on God’s involvement and purpose in his life. He reminisces over four decades of ordained ministry in two parishes. Several parallels are made between the author and Biblical characters.  The call of Jeremiah while still in his mother’s womb.  Hannah, dedicating her child to God’s service and Dean Nisbett’s parents baptizing him when he was nineteen days old.  Amos, the dresser of sycamore trees called to be a prophet and Dean Nisbett’s call from the grafting of fruit trees to assist in the grafting of souls.  The anointing of David, to be king of Israel and the election of Dean Nisbett as the second rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church.  Abraham’s sacrificial testing of his son Isaac, and the near-death experience of Jevon, Dean Nisbett’s son.  Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and Joshua who led St. David’s into their “Promised Land.”  Haggai’s call for the rebuilding of the temple, and Dean Nisbett’s congregation building a house of worship.  Jesus’ passion death and resurrection and Dean Nisbett’s challenges at the onset of his ministry.  The author also identified with no room at the INN at Bethlehem, and the flight to Egypt by the Holy Family. Often times the lectionary readings resonates with a current experience of the author. Through prayer, meditation, radical trust in God, creative and mutual ministry, difficulties were turned into opportunities and a little church was transformed into a healthy one. Reflecting on a pilgrimage to Ghana, Dean Nisbett gives a graphic description of the African Slave Trade. He agonizes over the Anglican Church’s role in the business but is convinced God planted him in the said church to help change the narrative.

About the Author

The Very Rev. Joshua Mastine Nisbett D. Min. was ordained to the priesthood in 1975. During his forty-four years of ordained ministry, he has served in only two parishes. His second pastorate lasted thirty-four years despite tumultuous challenges at the outset. His long tenure is largely due to his sense of vocational "calling", his radical trust in God, his patience, his deep spiritual life, and his courage, like that of his name-sake, Joshua. These virtues, along with his professional training, enhanced the growth and stability of the parish. With much team effort, the congregation built and dedicated a new House of Worship during the seventh year of his rectorship. With his leadership, the congregation adopted the principles of the 5-Star Church. Dean Nisbett is very talented and has authored the book, "A Journey to the Promised Land." Additionally, he has composed the words for several hymns and has written a passion play, "Who's on Trial" in which he played the role of the main character, Jesus. The author has done much research work on the town of Cambria Heights and has published the early history of the town in his book. He has a Doctorate in Ministry from The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He earned a Master of Arts from Fordham University and Bachelor of Arts from the United Theological College of the West Indies.