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

Living life the way Jesus did. It seems like an impossible dream. But could the secret to living a more Christ-like life be easier than you think?
Saturday, January 11, 2014

More In This Series

01/18/2014
"The Implausible Prayer" begins with the latest astronomy headline and ends with a knock at your door. See how this one implausible prayer can help you be more like Jesus.
02/01/2014
What does God do to protect His most precious possession on Earth? He bestows upon it this Impregnable Gift.

“How To Be More Like Jesus: The Impossible Dream”

www.pmchurch.tv

□ Revelation 14:1-5, 12, 14

 Stuart Devenish: “Every Christian generation has produced two kinds of Christians: the

common, ordinary garden variety, and those who have discovered the . Some call this deeper life entire sanctification. Others call it the baptism with the Spirit. . . . Whatever the label, it reflects a deep experience of .” (Beyond Well-being: Spirituality and Human Flourishing 58)

□  The Call of Jesus

  •   Matthew 4:19—“‘.’”
  •   Matthew 10:25—“‘It is enough for students to be their teachers, and

    servants their masters.’”

  •   John 13:15—“‘I have set you an example that you should do

    for you.’”

  •   Matthew 11:28, 29—“‘ to me . . . and from me, for I am gentle

    and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

□  The Call of the NT

  •   1 John 2:6—“Whoever says, ‘I abide in Him [Jesus],’ ought to walk

    walked.”

     1 John 2:6 NIV—“Whoever claims to live in Him must as Jesus did.”

  •   1 Peter 2:21—“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an

    example, that you should follow .”

  •   2 Corinthians 3:18—“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,

    are being transformed into .”

  •   Thomas a Kempis: “Let us therefore see that we endeavour beyond all else to meditate

    on the life of Jesus Christ. . . . Anyone who wishes to understand and to savour the words of Christ to the full must try to make his whole life to the pattern of Christ’s life.” (The Imitation of Christ 37)

  •   Ellen White: “His beautiful and spotless character is before us as an example for us to . We must study and copy and follow Jesus Christ, then we shall bring His loveliness and beauty into our character.” (Christ Triumphant 43)
     That I May Know Him 265: “Christ is our pattern, the perfect and holy example that

    has been given us to follow. We can never equal the Pattern, but we may

    and resemble it according to our ability.”

  •   1 John 3:1-3—“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be

    called of God! And that is what we are! . . . But we know that when Christ appears, we shall him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies themselves, he is pure.”

□  But how?

 I want to be more like Jesus I’m following in His ways

I’m trying to love as He did In all that I do and say

At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you
Try to show kindness in all that you do

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor
I’m learning to serve my friends

I watch for the day of gladness When Jesus will come again

I try to remember the lessons He taught

Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts saying:

—adapted from Janice Kapp Perry 

We Mourn

 Lorraine Drew, a long-time member of Pioneer, passed away on May 14, 2025. A celebration of her life will be held on May 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM, in the Pioneer Sanctuary. Visitation will be held in the Narthex at 3:00 PM.

Offering for May 24, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

The COVID-19 pandemic caused thousands of deaths around the world and made people rethink their purpose in life. We’ve all been affected by this. Recent wars displaced millions from their homes creating major cultural, political, and population shifts. These crises created openness in spiritual things.

People are searching for meaning and peace. They’re hungry to make sense out of all the chaos in the world. Churches in our conference can be that haven and point of contact for people to hear about Jesus.

Offerings collected monthly for Michigan Advance Partners give opportunities for ministries in all churches to be funded so it can plant seeds of hope and love. Now is the time to invest in God’s work. Why not ask God for bigger requests so He can bless us abundantly? We don’t need to wait until we have more to give more. We can flex our faith in God now.

Note the promise, "The time has come when we are to expect large blessings from the Lord. We must rise to a higher standard on the subject of faith... The Word of God is our endorsement. We must take it, simply believing every word. With this assurance we may claim large things, and according to our faith it will be unto us” (That I May Know Him, p. 226). Today, let’s lay all on the altar and give our all to God. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Widow and Widowers Bird Watching Brunch
11356 S Lake Chapin Rd, Berrien Springs, MI 49103

We are inviting all widows and widowers to join us for a nature walk at 9:00 AM, June 1, at the home of Dave and Terri Village. We will also be having a vegetarian potluck and a birdwatching presentation with boat rides to follow. We hope to see you there! 
 

Andrews Academy’s Graduation Weekend Events

Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise.  Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events.

  • Class Night May 22, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy
  • Consecration May 23, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church
  • Baccalaureate May 24, 11:45 AM at Pioneer Memorial Church
  • Commencement May 25, 11:00 AM at Pioneer Memorial Church

Pioneer Business Session

Dear Valued Pioneer member, please plan to attend the upcoming Business Session to be held on May 27, at 7:00 PM. The topics to be discussed and voted upon include the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year budget which has been inserted in your bulletin.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Something In Common Sabbath School presents The Five Love Languages DVD series.

  • May 17- Love Language One: Words of Affirmation
  • May 24- Love Language Two: Quality Time
  • May 31- Love Language Three: Receiving Gifts
  • June 7- Love Language Four: Acts of Service
  • June 14- Love Language Five: Physical Touch
  • June 21- Growing in Love

Everyone is welcome to join us in PMC Room 141 each Sabbath morning from 10:30 - 11:30 AM.

Mission and Strategy Statements Town Hall Meetings

The Elders have finished! After many months of prayerful and concerted work, the draft of Pioneer's potential new mission and strategy statements are ready for your review.  

Please join us at any of the identical Town Hall/Q & A sessions listed below to hear Pastor Shane and our elders present the drafts for your feedback.  Our goal is to take your input, modify the drafts as needed, sent them back to the church board for final review, and begin implementation in the Fall.  

Please join us for any of these important and impactful meetings that will help guide Pioneer's witness for years to come!

  • May 13, Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
  • May 18, Sunday, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
  • May 22, Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 PM (Zoom only)
House of Prayer Series Led By Pastor Dwight Nelson

“How to Pray for Rome NOW: Following Jesus in Today’s Headlines” 

House of Prayer Spring Series, 7 PM, Pioneer Earliteen Loft, May 2025 

  • May 7 “The Sea Beast and Jesus” (Revelation 13) 
  • May 14 “The Little Horn and Jesus” (Daniel 7 & 2 Thessalonians 2) 
  • May 21 “The Purple and Scarlet Woman and Jesus” (Revelation 17) 
  • May 28 “The Babylonian Queen and Jesus” (Revelation 18) 

“Prophecy is fast fulfilling. More, much more, should be said about these tremendously important subjects. The day is at hand when the destiny of every soul will be fixed forever. This day of the Lord hastens on apace. . . . Great pains should be taken to keep this subject before the people. The solemn fact is to be kept not only before the people of the world, but before our own churches also, that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly. The fearful warning of the prophecy is addressed to every soul. Let no one feel that he is secure from the danger of being surprised. Let no one's interpretation of prophecy rob you of the conviction of the knowledge of events which show that this great event is near at hand.” (Fundamentals of Christian Education 335)

Mission and Strategy Statements Town Hall Meetings
Pioneer Youth Chapel

The Elders have finished! After many months of prayerful and concerted work, the draft of Pioneer's potential new mission and strategy statements are ready for your review.  

Please join us at any of the identical Town Hall/Q & A sessions listed below to hear Pastor Shane and our elders present the drafts for your feedback.  Our goal is to take your input, modify the drafts as needed, sent them back to the church board for final review, and begin implementation in the Fall.  

Please join us for any of these important and impactful meetings that will help guide Pioneer's witness for years to come!

May 13, Tuesday, 7:00-9:00 PM

May 18, Sunday, 9:00-11:00 AM

May 22, Thursday, 7:00-9:00 PM (Zoom only)

Holding Onto Jesus

Sunday, May 25, 3-5 PM Pioneer Youth Chapel What do we do when our life is shaken by illness, a great loss, or some other devastation? How do we find God when it feels like He isn’t there? Women of all ages are invited to hear Emily Gibbs share her testimony, and explore ways that we can have resilience in the midst of difficult experiences. Register by texting TRIALS to 269-281-2345. Questions? Email women@pmchurch.org.

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