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The Pugwash Factor:

How to Turn Mission into Possible

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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

Learn 7 reasons why the mission in your life is to fulfill His mission of seeking to save the lost.
Saturday, August 29, 2015

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“The Pugwash Factor: How to Turn Mission into Possible”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • The Mission: Matthew 28:18-20/Mark 16:15/Luke 24:46, 47/John 20:21/Acts 1:8
  • The Gospel: Euangellion = eu (good) + angellion (message) = “good message” “good news”
    • Ellen White: “The message from God to me for you is ‘Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out’ (John 6:37). If you have nothing else to plead before God but this one promise from your Lord and Saviour, you have the assurance that you will never, never be turned away. It may seem to you that you are hanging upon a single promise, but appropriate that one promise, and it will open to you the whole treasure house of the riches of the grace of Christ. Cling to that promise and you are safe. . . . and you are as safe as though inside the city of God.” (Manuscript Releases 10:175)
  • 7 Reasons for Your Life Mission:
    • Reason #1—Because you were for mission.
      • 2 Corinthians 5:18 TEV: “Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the   of making others his friends also.”
      • Steps to Christ 78: “No sooner does one come to Christ than there is born in his heart a desire to   to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. . . . We shall seek to present to them the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come.”
    • Reason #2—Because your mission is a of Jesus’ mission on earth.
      • Matthew 28:19-20 Message: “Go out and train everyone you meet,  far and near, in this way of life. . . . I’ll be as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
      • Desire of Ages 340: “It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the .”
    • Reason #3—Because your mission is a wonderful .
      • 2 Corinthians 6:1—“We are workers together with .”
      • Testimonies to the Church 9:102-103: “As I have thought of that cup trembling in the hands of Christ [in Gethsemane]; as I have realized that He might have refused to drink, and left the world to perish in its sin, I have pledged that every energy of my life should be devoted to the work of   to Him.”
    • Reason #4—Because telling others how they can have eternal life is the you can do for them.
      • Acts 4:12 NCV—“Jesus is the who can save people.”
      • Desire of Ages 568: “Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.”
    • Reason #5—Because your mission has significance.
      • John 9:4 NLT—“All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to .”
      • Christ’s Object Lessons 197: “In this work all the   of heaven are ready to co-operate. All the resources of heaven are at the command of those who are seeking to save the lost. will help you to reach the most careless and the most hardened.”
    • Reason #6—Because your mission gives your life .
      • Acts 20:24 NLT—“My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work   to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.”
      • Christ’s Object Lessons 419: “It is the   of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ.”
    • Reason #7—Because God’s timetable for history’s is connected to the completion of our commission.
      • Matthew 24:14 NKJV—“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then will come.”
      • Desire of Ages 634: “Those who watch for the Lord’s coming are not waiting in idle expectancy. . . . With vigilant watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord   the door, their zeal is quickened to co-operate with the divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls.”

The mission in your life is to fullfill your life mission.

Offering for April 25, 2026

Michigan Advance Partners

God still impresses His people to give sacrificially, without fanfare, to build up His work. The writer (Anthony) reported sitting in a meeting where the discussion centered on the commitment and benevolence of some donors. As he listened, goosebumps erupted on his forearms. This particular story was riveting. He was in awe. He was thrilled. To think that this person in question was not a baptized member of the church at the time—he was inspired.

According to the story, the donor’s only association with Adventism was through an encounter with a George Vandeman (founder of It is Written) evangelistic series he attended in his early life. And yet he had no
reservation in giving millions to help in the construction of a new phase of the conference headquarters. The report says he gave over and over again, willingly, not caring to be mentioned. And he refrained from living a lavish
lifestyle. In fact, it is said, he would often say, “It’s not my money, it belongs to God.”

God is still inviting willing persons who are able to contribute to His cause. As He instructed Israel, He’s calling us to, “Give generously…without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you, in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10, NIV).

Today, as we return our tithes and offerings, and give to our conference’s needs, may the promises of God be ours.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!

Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700. 

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.