Stories in the Rearview Mirror

Why I Believe in the ‘1000 Man March’ After Ferguson

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight 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

In 1832, a man named Joseph Bates decided in the sight of God that he must take a stand for those who were oppressed. The world has changed much since then, but one thing remains: The oppressed are still with us. What can we learn today from the stance taken by that old sea captain so many years ago?
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Donald Hustad
Hello
Praise
This Is Amazing Grace
From The Inside Out
Mighty To Save
Create In Me A Clean Heart
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Children’s Story
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love
Ghanaian Traditional / Robert Powell
Worship in Music
Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?
African-American Spiritual
Sermon
"Why I Believe in the ‘1000 Man March’ After Ferguson”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes, & Offerings
Closing Hymn
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian • 319
As We Depart
March (Occasional Oratorio)
George Frideric Handel

More In This Series

03/07/2015
When a young physician undergoes a conversion through the work of the Holy Spirit, he joins forces with a comrade and proceeds to bring about a revolution to point the focus back to Christ. What kind of transformation can the Third Person's Last Rain bring about in our lives today?
02/28/2015
In the 19th century, a young woman was called by God to a ministry that would eventually become a worldwide movement. What does her legacy mean for us today?
02/21/2015
"We entered upon this work penniless, with few friends, and broken in health.” - James White. What does a God who sacrificed all for His children ask of those who wish to follow Him today?
01/31/2015
Deep in the heart of an unknown Asian country lives one of the most explosive spiritual growth movements on the planet. What is their secret and how can we apply it to our own lives right now?
01/24/2015
On Sept. 26, 1874 the first Adventist missionary set foot on the shores of Europe. It was the first step towards building what would become a global movement. What step should we take today?
01/10/2015
As we enter into a new year, we see a world still fraught with the troubles and turmoil of the year just ended. Yet if we dig even further into history, we find a small band of devoted Christ followers living in the United States who were willing to sacrifice all for His kingdom. What lessons can we glean from them as we begin a new chapter of our own?

“Stories in the Rearview Mirror:

Why I Believe in the ‘1000 Man March’

After Ferguson”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • Joseph Bates
    • “About the close of 1831, and commencement of 1832, antislavery societies began to be organized again in the United States, advocating immediate emancipation. . . . I then began to feel the importance of taking a decided stand on the side of the oppressed. My labor in the cause of temperance had caused a pretty thorough sifting of my friends, and I felt that I had no more [friends] that I wished to part with; but duty was clear that I could not be a consistent Christian if I stood on the side of the oppressor, for God was not there. Neither could I claim his promises if I stood on neutral ground. Hence my only alternative was to plead for the slave, and thus I decided.” (Autobiography of Joseph Bates 235-236)
  • Apostle Paul
    • Philemon 8-9, 12-16
    • “I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.”
  • Ellen White
    •       “In the past, some attempts have been made to present the truth to the colored people, but those among the white people who claim to believe the truth have wanted to build a high between themselves and the colored race. We have one , who died for the black man, as well as for the white. Those who possess the spirit of Christ will have pity and love for all who know not the precious Saviour. They will labor to the utmost of their ability to wipe away the reproach of ignorance from white and black alike. . . .

“The colored people have been neglected because the vexed question of how to build a wall of between the whites and the blacks has been in agitation. Some have thought it the best way to reach the white people first, for if we should labor for the colored people we could do nothing for the white population. This is not the right position to assume. Christ’s followers are to learn all about the woes of the in their immediate vicinity and in their own country, be they white or black. The poor, friendless, untaught colored people need our assistance because they are ignorant and friendless. Those who have a dark, disagreeable life are the very ones whom we should bid to hope because Christ is their Saviour. God has jewels in the rough, and His true followers will find them. All who possess the spirit of Christ will have a tender, sympathetic heart, and an open, generous hand.

“Those who press close to the bleeding side of Christ will have the spirit of Christ, and a nature that will be quickly responsive to His  call. They will work to relieve the necessities of suffering humanity, as Christ worked, while, before the world fallen, the worlds unfallen, and all the heavenly host, He was representing the ways and works of God. In the life of Christ we see what a Christian can do in relieving the distressed, binding up their physical and spiritual wants.” (Letter 5, July 24, 1895/Manuscript Releases 4:2-4)

  • Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963)

 

“I appeal to you on the basis of love.”

 

Graduation Information

 Welcome to Andrews University Graduation Weekend! Kindly note that overflow seating is available today in the Youth Chapel.

Offering for May 3, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: While shopping at Lowe’s hardware store one day, I saw a bird trapped inside the store that probably had entered through the outdoor garden section. Its wing seemed broken, it could not fly, and was perhaps too weak from days of not being able to eat. If left alone this bird would die.

I found a discarded box and went over to get the bird. I took that bird home and placed it in a makeshift birdcage and gave it water and food. The next day the bird was more alert and flapping its wings. I took it outside and opened the cage door. The bird slowly walked out and flew to the nearest tree.

I felt great that I was able to help one of God’s little creatures live another day! Jesus’ words, “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24, NKJV).

Jesus wants us to trust Him because God the Father cares so much for us. God has placed the church to care for the broken hearted, to help the downtrodden, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to share the love of Jesus through the various ministries it has set up. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Music Camp at Pioneer!

The Institute of Young Musicians for Christ is excited to be having a music camp at Pioneer Memorial Church! At our music camps young people ages 6-17 are offered an immersive, week-long musical experience. Our quality musical training—combined with fun, friends, and faith-building encounters— provides a truly incredible opportunity. The camp offers tracks for children 6-12 with or without musical experience and a track for teenagers with significant musical experience. To learn more and register, visit iymcsda.org/michigan. We hope to see you there!

Something in Common Sabbath School

Fight Your Way To A Better Marriage series by Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley

  • March 29-State of Your Heart
  • April 5-Safety
  • April 12-The Reactive Cycle
  • April 18-Personal Responsibility
  • April 26-L.U.V.E. Talk
  • May 3-Teamwork

Everyone is Welcome each Sabbath morning to join us in Pioneer Room 141 at 10:30 am,

Lamson Hall Upgrades with Maranatha

From May 11–June 8, 2025, Maranatha Volunteers International will be working at Andrews University to update the Lamson Hall residential rooms and suite bathrooms. Please consider volunteering and letting your family and friends know of this opportunity. All individuals (including local) should sign up at the Maranatha website: https://maranatha.org/volunteer-opportunities/.