Since 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University. He preaches on the “New Perceptions” telecast, teaches at the theological seminary and has written some books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
More In This Series
“A DIY Guide How to Become the Healthiest University in the World (When Well-being Means More than Being Well)”
www.newperceptions.tv
» Forbes
• “What Would You Pay for Extra Years of Perfect Health?” (www.forbes.com/sitesdavidrae/2018/06/19/perfect-health/#43ad19312ee2)
» Harvard University 75 years longitudinal study
• “The conclusion? According to Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, one thing surpasses all the rest in terms of importance ‘The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.” (www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/want-a-life-of-fulfillment-a-75-year-harvard-study-says-to-prioritize-this-one-t.html)
• Waldinger: “It's not just the number of friends you have, and it's not whether or not you're in a committed relationship. It's the quality of your close relationships that matters.”
• Harvard psychiatrist George Vaillant re two foundational elements to the study: “One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away.”
» 3 John 1-2—a prayer for Mens, Corpus, Spiritus
• English study of retirees: “Spirituality and religion appear to . . . bring [1] a sense of personal meaning; [2] control beyond one's own resources; [3] comfort; and [4] intimacy with a higher power; and they are life transforming, leading people to replace old values with new. . . The findings suggest that older adults who derive a sense of meaning in life from religion tend to have higher levels of life satisfaction, self-esteem, and optimism.” (www.academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/59/3/P123/563604)
• Canadian study of college students: “Canadian college students who are involved in campus ministries visited the doctor less. They also scored higher on tests of psychological well-being [PWB], and coped with stress more effectively.” (www.verywellmind.com/how-spirituality-can-benefit-mental-and-physical health-3144807)
» A DIY guide—5 strategies to grow spiritually (University of Northern Iowa)
• Be . Spiritual truths often come in the form of a still small voice that is difficult to hear above the chaos and confusion of a frantic lifestyle. Set aside time for solitude and meditation. [Go to www.pmchurch.org/projects/newwaytopray]
• Be to the spiritual. Spiritual experiences often come in unexpected forms and packages.
• Be and curious. An attitude of active searching increases your options and your potential for spiritual centering. Meditation may very well allow you to experience tranquility and peace.
• Be to pain and grief. Pain helps us focus on the widest questions of our being. It's a deepener. A life without pain leads to a sparse, shallow existence. Allow yourself to feel your pain fully, then ask, “What is it trying to teach me?”
• Be . Play is a pleasurable, freeing experience. It breeds spontaneous enthusiasm and celebration. When you make music, laugh, sing however you play—listen for sounds of the Spirit. (www.studentwellness.uni.edu/spirituality)
» 1 John 4:19, 10—L-O-V-E
• Steps to Christ: “Such love is without a parallel. . . . The matchless love of God for a world that did not love Him! . . . The more we study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite and a tender pity surpassing a mother's yearning sympathy for her wayward child.” (15)
• The love story of Robert and Muriel McQuilken
“O Love that will not let me go”
Families interested in attending Sabbath School in person are invited to apply now for our Summer 1 groups for kids and parents. New families welcome! Safety guidelines apply. Parent volunteers needed. Text "SUMMERSS" to 269-28-12345 or register your child below. Wait until Summer 2 if you will be away for more than one sabbath from May 15 to June 26 as we will need to take turns with limited capacity. Weekly Sabbath School videos and monthly outdoor adventures will continue through the Summer.
Local Church Budget
The greatest gift a person ever receives is the gift of life. Each child differs from every other child.
When the time came for one father’s only daughter to be born, there were complications. She had the umbilical cord tied around her neck three times. When the doctor delivered her, she looked different. She was purple. The nurses grabbed her and supplied oxygen to her lungs. She seemed lifeless. Then she twitched, and then she cried. Tears ran down the father’s face as he saw her turn from purple, to soft red, and to a healthy peach in color. He thanked the Lord for bringing life into his princess.
Just then he saw a glimpse of the cross. He experienced a portion of how our Father must have felt seeing His Son on the cross. God’s heart must have broken while watching His Son go through so much pain and agony to save us. The greatest gift our Heavenly Father gave us was His Son. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
Today, as we give to local budget, let us remember why we give. Because of our personal giving, we can share the good news of the Cross with others. We can bring a message of hope to a world in need of a Savior.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Leading a Grow Group helps you build community, get involved, and grow your faith alongside others who share your passion. Register to lead a Summer and/or Fall Grow Group today!
Dates to Keep in Mind:
The Stevensville Women's Ministry is hosting a one day MI Conference Women's Retreat, Be a WARRIOR, not a WORRIER, in-person and live-streamed on Stevensville SDA Facebook page on Sabbath, May 8, 2021.
Schedule
9:30 AM - The Armor of God
10:45 AM - Using the Armor to defeat strongholds
Lunch - Bring your own sack lunch
2:00 PM - Concert: Sonic Praise with a current and active powerful woman warrior testimony
3:30 PM - CriJOYsis: finding joy in every crisis
Due to the number of guests arriving to attend the Andrews University Baccalaureate Sabbath, May 8, the Pioneer pastoral staff are kindly asking its members to attend first service or watch livestream. Thank you.
We are pleased to announce the availability to view worship, both 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM services, on Roku devices and enabled TVs! On your Roku device simply search for "Pioneer Memorial Church Live" and add the channel to your Home screen. You can also sign into your Roku account and add it here. If you need assistance adding our channel please send an email to webteam@pmchurch.tv.
–Media Ministry
If you earned $57,000 or less you can have your 2020 income tax prepared for free by IRS certified volunteers at Andrews University. This is a drop-off only site with limited space. Please call 269-471-6538 Thursday, Friday or Sunday 12:30 – 5:00 PM (don’t leave a message) or email Cidfreetax@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to drop off your documents. Appointments can be made for any Sunday afternoon March 21 – April 11 (12:30 – 4:30 PM). Drop-off site will be at Andrews University, Buller Hall, room 203 by appointment only.
Will Prepare
What to Bring
The Pioneer Family is invited to join Stephen Farr and @Unmistakablymelissa for a very special 40 Days of Prayer Challenge March 31 – May 9, 2021. Melissa and Stephen will be going through the devotional book "40 Days Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming," by Dennis Smith. Each day you can join them on Instagram for a Live re-cap and a special time of prayer. Melissa will also be sharing each day on her YouTube channel.
The goal of this challenge is to empower you and a partner to strengthen your prayer time, to encourage you to pray for others, to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and to pray together as a community for the Second Coming of Jesus. By joining this challenge, you are becoming a part of a revival that is beginning right here at Andrews University and is already reaching people around the world. You are joining in our shared mission to be World Changers for a changing world. You are joining in praying that Andrews University, its staff, faculty and students will be blessed now and, in the years, to come with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We want to see revival. We want to see "His Kingdom Come and His will Done on Earth as it is in Heaven." We want to be part of preaching the gospel to the world as a witness to all the nations and we want to see Jesus coming again in the clouds. Amen
If you'd like to join in the challenge, the book can be ordered on Amazon or at www.spiritbaptism.org. Live sessions will be recorded each day and uploaded to Instagram, YouTube, and Andrews University Graduate Student Association Facebook Page and multiple other platforms.
"Thank you so much for joining us in this 40 Days of Prayer Challenge. I can't wait to hear and share the miracle stories that happen during and after this challenge."
–Stephen William Farr, Andrews University Graduate Student Association Student Chaplain
The Pioneer Media Team is looking for additional volunteers for its local audio and global television ministry. Members volunteer at least 1 time every 3 Sabbaths, for both the 9:00 AM and 11:45 AM services. Current needs include Platform Manager, and various Audio Technician positions. Extensive experience is not required to volunteer and training is provided. Volunteers should be at least a Junior in high school for media roles.
If you have not been able to connect with your Sabbath School Class due to the pandemic, we would like to hear from you so that we can put you back in touch with your class. Please email member@pmchurch.org or contact Heidi Ha, Pioneer's Member Engagement Coordinator on 269-471-3133. Some Sabbath School classes are meeting face-to-face in the Seminary on Sabbath mornings. These classes follow the CDC and State of Michigan protocols for social distancing; other classes are meeting virtually through Zoom. We are happy to connect you with any of these classes.
-Mordekai Ongo, Sabbath School Superintendent
