Dear Church family, We wish to thank you for Your wonderful support at the memorial service for my husband and our father Ron Graham. For your prayers, cards, visits, phone calls, flowers and good food that arrived at our home over the 13 weeks of Ron’s illness and since we can not thank you enough. We felt your prayers and love and caring hearts. Thank you so much. The Graham family.
Stories in the Rearview Mirror
Go BIG or Go Home
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 It’s Time to Go BIG or Go Home”
- John Nevins Andrews
- The “young man” in the dream: “The cities and villages constitute a part of the Lord’s vineyard. They must hear the messages of warning. . . . You are to sow beside waters. . . . You are entertaining too ideas of the work for this time. You are trying to plan the work so that you can embrace it in your arms. You must take broader views. Your light must not be put under a bushel or under a bed, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. Your house is the .” (Ellen White, Life Sketches 208, 209)
- Mervyn Maxwell: “On August 14, 1874, the General Conference responded at last. Under the flapping canvas of a camp-meeting tent [in Battle Creek, Michigan] the historic action was voted that officially moved Adventism out of North America: ‘Resolved, That the General Conference . . . instruct the Executive Committee to send Eld. J. N. Andrews to Switzerland as soon as practicable.’” (Moving Out 132)
- Jesus
- Revelation 14:6-7, 14
- Matthew 28:18-20
- And You
- David Platt: “Every person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every person this side of hell. We owe Christ to the world—to the least person and to the greatest person, to the richest person and to the poorest person, to the best person and to the worst person. We are in to the nations.” (Radical 74)
- David Platt: “This is a cause worth living for. It is a cause worth dying for. It is a cause worthy of moving urgently on. We have the [everlasting] gospel of Christ in us, and we do not have time to waste. Some wonder if it is unfair for God to allow so many to have no knowledge of the gospel. There is no injustice in God. The injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven’t heard. That is .” (159)
- Ellen White: “God’s faithful people have always been missionaries, consecrating their resources to the honor of His name and wisely using their talents in His service.” (Acts of the Apostles 109)
- Ellen White: “Not upon the ordained minister only rests the responsibility of going forth to fulfill this commission. who has received Christ is called to work for the salvation of [their] fellow men [and women].” (110)
- Ellen White: “Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church so that shall be working for Him according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory.” (111)
- John Nevins Andrews: “I know of only one way: Find a field of labor, ask God to help, take off your coat, and pitch into the work.”
Go BIG or Go Home
Do you enjoy sales and pricing? Are you organized and detail-oriented? Would you like to make some new friends? If so, Neighbor to Neighbor needs your help!
Housewares Volunteer:
- Sort, price, and organize dishes, kitchenware, toys, and other household items
- Arrange items within the store Crafts Volunteer:
- Organize and price fiber arts, homeschooling, gift bags, and general craft items
- Arrange items within the store Train with other volunteers and then make your own schedule within operating hours.
Come join the Neighbor to Neighbor volunteer family! Contact Stefanie Marschner at stefaniem@n2nhelps.com or 269-471-7411
The memorial service for Phillip Potter will be held Sunday, February 16, at 3 PM, with visitation at 2 PM at Halbritter Wickens Funeral Home, 615 E. Main St, Niles, MI.
Pioneer Operating Budget
When Joseph Leek died, he left nearly $1.8 million to an organization that provided guide dogs for the blind. Nothing unusual there. Except that nobody, not even his own family, had any idea that he had that kind of money. The 90-year-old lived like a pauper, according to his daughters. He watched television at a neighbor's house to save on electricity, put off home repairs, and bought secondhand clothes. Joseph’s problem was not the lack of money; he was driven to save money to help others.
Likewise, the lack of funds isn't the real issue in the church, but a lack of understanding in the purpose of giving and why God installed this as part of the redemptive restoration process. When we don’t participate in giving, it weakens our spirituality and the spirit of generosity. By giving regularly, we nurture a generous spirit which aligns more with Christ's character.
Giving offerings shouldn’t be motivated by earthly rewards, but by sharing in Christ's eternal glory. Now this is priceless! The right understanding of giving should propel us to give more for His glory. That’s why our donations to the church should not be driven by emotional appeals and feelings, but by our love and deep commitment to Christ and the people He gave His life for.
Today, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us give so we can reflect Christ’s unselfishness. North American Division Stewardship Ministries
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
An evening of praise and worship, “Sing Praise!” will be presented at the Howard Performing Arts Center by the Andrews University Wind Symphony and invited guest ensembles on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. The evening will feature performances by the Wind Symphony under the direction of Denisse Santos, University Singers under the direction of Stephen Zork, Deliverance Mass Choir under the direction of Michael Owusu, and The Watchmen led by Abel Siamubi. Favorite hymns and contemporary praise songs will be part of the evening, complete with opportunities for audience participation! Songs will include renditions of How Deep the Father’s Love, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Be Thou My Vision, Amazing Grace, In Christ Alone and more! Join us for an evening of music and praise like no other! The event is free and no tickets are required.
Tim Parton, pianist and singer for 3ABN television, will present a free concert at the Battle Creek Tabernacle on Saturday, February 15, at 7:30 PM. The church is located at 264 West Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek.
We are pleased to announce a new House of Prayer Winter Mini-series led by pastor Dwight Nelson entitled "They, Too, Walked with Him". This series begins February 5th and cover the following:
- February 5 The Antediluvians (in Terrible Times): Enoch and Noah
- February 12 The Patriarchs (in Stumbling Times): Abraham and Jacob (and Moses)
- February 19 The Prophets and Kings (in Meltdown Times): David and Hezekiah, Micah and Isaiah
- February 26 The Disciples (in Crossroad Times): Peter, James, John, and Paul
We meet together for House of Prayer every Wednesday evening from 7 PM - 8 PM in the earliteen loft. Please join us as we enjoy a spiritual shot in the arm in the middle of each week as we worship together through signing, study of God's word, testimonies, and prayer. Hope to see you there!
Do you want to complete your Master Guide Program? If so, please consider joining the Master Guide Club that meets weekly on campus to help you complete the requirements.
For more information or to join, please visit cye.org/toolbox
Pioneer families with 0 to 3-year-olds are the first to enjoy the new Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath School Alive in Jesus Bible lessons. This curriculum will roll out in phases:
2025: Baby Steps (0-18 months) and Beginners (1, 2 & 3 year olds)
2026: Kindergarten (4-6 year old) and Primary (Grades 1-3)
2027: Junior (Grades 4-6) and Earliteen (Grades 7-8)
2028: Youth (Grades 9-12) and Young Adult
Here’s what’s new this year.
Baby Steps Lessons: Our Nursery division begins the first-ever Baby Steps lessons. Our program will continue a half-hour interactive Bible learning for infants and a half-hour of parent training and community building. Download free parent and teacher guides at babies.aliveinjesus.info.
Beginners Bible Lessons: Both Beginner rooms and the Kindergarten 3-Year division have begun the new Beginner lessons for 1, 2, and 3-year-olds. This new Adventist curriculum features beautifully illustrated lessons, inspiring stories, practical tips, craft ideas, and activities to support family worship and Bible learning at home. Parent spiritual nurture and community-building activities will also be incorporated.
A new year brings new opportunities! It’s a chance to renew our commitment to spending time with God and helping our children grow in their relationship with Him. Reading and discussing Sabbath School lessons in family worship at home will deepen everyone’s faith.
Children’s Sabbath School family guides are available at the Welcome Center in Pioneer’s lower entry hall during the first month of each quarter. They are also freely available online for families and teachers, along with engaging songs (Nursery and Beginners Alive in Jesus), videos (for Kinder and Primary GraceLink), and podcasts (for Junior PowerPoints). From a device, you can enjoy lessons anywhere and anytime.
We pray that 2025 will bring a closer walk with God for each member of our church family. May Sabbath School lesson study be a blessing to your home, strengthen faith and family bonds, and welcome friends to join you on this adventure!
Children's Sabbath School Superintendent Team