Enci Chen - BCAF Deacon
Vivian Fiuza - Photographer
Carl Hygrant - Deacon
Eunice Lee - BCAF Head Deaconess
Miriam Morgan-Skinner - RMES Board Member
Renette Protecop-Prentice - RMES Board Member
Stories in the Rearview Mirror
Why I Believe in the Third Person's Last Rain
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
“Stories in the Rearview Mirror:
Why I Believe in the Third Person’s Last Rain”
- Waggoner and White
- EJW: “I was sitting a little apart from the body of the congregation in the large tent at a camp meeting in Healdsburg, one gloomy Sabbath afternoon. . . . All that has remained with me was what I saw. Suddenly a light shone round me, and the tent was more brilliantly lighted than if the noon-day sun had been shining, and I saw Christ hanging on the cross, crucified for me. In that moment I had my first positive knowledge which came like an overwhelming flood, that God loved me, and that Christ died for me. God and I were the only beings I was conscious of in the universe. I knew then, by actual sight, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; I was the whole world with its sin. I am sure that Paul’s experience on the way to Damascus was no more real than mine.” (Ron Duffield, The Return of the Latter Rain, 45)
- EJW: “I knew that in the Bible I should find the message of God’s love for individual sinners, and I resolved that the rest of my life should be devoted to finding it there, and making it plain to others. The light that shone upon me that day from the cross of Christ has been my guide in all my Bible study; wherever I have turned in the Sacred Book, I have found Christ set forth as the power of God, to the salvation of individuals and I have never found anything else.” (Ibid)
- EGW: “I have been instructed [by God] that the terrible experience at the Minneapolis Conference is one of the saddest chapters in the history of the believers in present truth.” (The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials 1796)
- EGW: “I have had the question asked, ‘What do you think of this light that these men are presenting? Why, I have been presenting it to you for the last 45 years—the matchless charms of Christ. This is what I have been trying to present before your minds. When Brother Waggoner brought out these ideas in Minneapolis, it was the first clear teaching on this subject from any human lips I had heard, excepting the conversations between myself and my husband. . . . [E]very fiber of my heart said, Amen.” (1888 Materials 348)
- Woodrow Whidden: “In the face of the stiff opposition to Waggoner’s emphases, Ellen White gave strong personal support to his (and Jones’s) basic theological thrust. Her outspoken affirmations of Jones and Waggoner’s Christ- and grace-centered emphasis would be sustained until at least 1896. . . . The Christ-centered focus of Jones and Waggoner was the inspiration for the most concerted emphasis that Ellen White would ever make on ‘justification by faith’ in the ‘imputed [credited to our account] merits of Christ.’ When all that she ever wrote on justification by faith from 1844 to 1902 is surveyed, roughly forty-five percent of the entire mass was written between late 1888 and late 1892.” (The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia 535)
- Jesus and Andrews
- Jesus: “When the Spirit comes, He will testify of Me” (John 15:26; 16:14).
- EGW: “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure [latter rain].” (Testimonies to Ministers 91-92)
- EGW: “Meetings were held in the College which were intensely interesting. The Spirit of the Lord wrought upon hearts, and there was a precious work done in the conversion of souls. There has been no excitement felt or manifested. The work has been accomplished by the deep movings of the Spirit of God, and [students] have moved intelligently and in faith. . . . He [Jesus] who had been to them as a root out of dry ground, without form or comeliness, became ‘the chiefest among ten thousand,’ and the one altogether lovely.” (Review and Herald February 12, 1889)
- EGW: “Thursday at 5:00 p.m. I spoke to the college students. The Lord gave me the word which seemed to reach hearts. Professor Prescott [the college president] arose and attempted to speak, but his heart was too full. There he stood for five minutes in complete silence, weeping. When he did speak he said, ‘I am glad I am a Christian.’ He made very pointed remarks. His heart seemed to be broken by the Spirit of the Lord. I invited those who had not accepted the truth, and those who had not the evidence of their acceptance with God, to come forward. It seemed that the whole company were on the move.” (Arthur White The Lonely Years 421)
- EGW: “The promise [Mt 18:19, 20] is made on condition that the united prayers of the church are offered, and in answer to these prayers there may be expected a power greater than that which comes in answer to private prayer. The power given will be proportionate to the unity of the members and their love for God and for one another.” (Manuscript Releases 9:303)
- What if the daughter of Battle Creek College asked God to pour out the Spirit of Jesus upon us like He did 127 years ago?
What if we kept asking until He did?
Did you lose something? Or someone? Come hear Frank Hasel, from the Biblical Research Institute, share his story of loss on October 25 at 6 PM at the AFM Training Center, Morgan Hall. 10652 Rangeline Road, Berrien Springs. Refreshments will be served after the presentation, and books will be available for purchase (cash only). Sponsored by Caring Hearts and Pioneer Women's Ministries.
Though painful and disruptive, loss is an inevitable part of life. The AU family has experienced recent losses, and many are still feeling the emotional impact. Grief is a long process. During this period of mourning, you may notice changes in appetite, sleep, mood or concentration—these are normal grief responses. Be gentle with yourself and others, and take time to care for your well-being. Healing takes time, and support is available if your struggle feels overwhelming. Remember, connection remains important even after the memorials have passed. Call 269-471-3470 for your support. Matt. 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
What does it really mean to follow Jesus?
This weekend, we’ll explore the heart of discipleship—what it truly means to walk with Jesus through life’s highs and lows. Through the ups and downs that define student life today—academic stress, identity questions, friendships, family tension, and digital noise—we’ll explore what following Christ really looks like. Not in theory, but in real life. In your life.
Jesus said, “Follow Me.” That’s more than a call—it’s a collision with everything else competing for your attention. It’s not about perfect performance or polished faith. It’s a radical invitation to walk with Jesus wherever He leads, no matter the cost. And it will cost you. Comfort. Control. Maybe even popularity. But what you gain is far greater—life with the King, purpose that doesn't fade, and hope that holds in every storm.
The question is not just, “Is He calling?”
The question is: How will you respond?
Please join Pioneer and GYC for a special weekend series October 24 and 25 to learn more.
Church offices will be closed for the Columbus Day Holiday on Monday October 13.
We are launching our Graduate/Young Professional Sabbath School on October 18th. The class will be held in the Student Center's leadership lab. If you have any questions contact Chaplain Jacob Gibbs.
Andrews Academy invites you to ALUMNI WEEKEND, October 17-19, 2025. Come and reunite with your AA family. Remember the defining moments of your past and reconnect with old friends. We look forward to seeing all of you once again at our Alumni Reunion! (All are invited, this year’s honored classes end in 5 and 0).
Please, support the AA Freshman class by ordering pupusas and more by October 17th. Pupusas freeze well! Order for future dinners!!!
The Family Life Committee invites our church family to the Annual Hayride at Five Pines Ministries. Come enjoy hayrides through the woods, a bonfire with s'mores, warm food, and even warmer fellowship. Sunday, October 12, 5-7 PM, 6597 Smith Rd in Berrien Center. Join us for this fun, autumn tradition!
Do you love serving children? If so please prayerfully consider joining the Pioneer Youth Mission team of college students and church members. We will be serving at the Hogar de Niños in Honduras from January 2-12, 2026. Question, contact Scott Schalk or Glenn Russell at glenn@andrews.edu