Enci Chen - BCAF Deacon
Vivian Fiuza - Photographer
Carl Hygrant - Deacon
Eunice Lee - BCAF Head Deaconess
Miriam Morgan-Skinner - RMES Board Member
Renette Protecop-Prentice - RMES Board Member
Mission Possible
How to Stand Alone - Living Up to the Luther in You
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
“Mission Possible: Stand Alone—Living Up to the Luther in You”
- Psalm 119
- October 31, 1517
- Sola Scriptura—“by Scripture alone”
- Sola Fide—“by faith alone”
- Sola Gratia—“by grace alone”
- Martin Luther
- Luther: “I was a good monk, and I kept the rule of my order so strictly that I may say that if ever a monk got to heaven by his monkery it was I. All my brothers in the monastery who knew me will bear me out. If I had kept on any longer, I should have killed myself with vigils, prayers, reading, and other work.” (Roland Bainton Here I Stand 34)
- Luther: “I was myself more than once driven to the very abyss of despair so that I wished I had never been created. Love God? I hated him!” (Bainton 44)
- Johan Staupitz: “When it appeared to Luther that all was lost, God raised up a friend and helper for him. The pious Staupitz opened the word of God to Luther’s mind and bade him look away from himself, cease the contemplation of infinite punishment for the violation of God’s law, and look to Jesus, his sin-pardoning Saviour. ‘Instead of torturing yourself on account of your sins, throw yourself into the Redeemer’s arms. Trust in Him, in the righteousness of His life, in the atonement of His death.... Listen to the Son of God. He became man to give you the assurance of divine favor.’ ‘Love Him who first loved you.’” (Great Controversy 123-124)
- “Above everything else he delighted in the study of God’s word. . . . and to this he often repaired.” (Great Controversy 123)
- Luther: “There is on earth no clearer book written than the holy Scripture, which compared with all other books is like the sun compared with all lights.” (Luther’s commentary on Psalm 37:40, SDABC 9:131)
- “Luther translated the entire New Testament into German within 11 weeks. Like a man possessed, he worked at the rate of more than 1500 words per day. What he produced was so masterful that in time it did much to create the modern German language. He was determined to do as good a job as possible and to prove to the world that ‘German nightingales can sing as beautifully as Roman goldfinches.” (James Kittelson Luther the Reformer 175)
- Luther: “Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement that ‘the just shall live by his faith.’ Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace [sola gratia] and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith [sola fide]. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture [sola Scriptura] took on a new meaning, and whereas before the ‘justice of God’ had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gate to heaven.” (Bainton 49-50)
- The Diet of Worms: “The scene lends itself to dramatic portrayal. Here was Charles, heir of a long line of Catholic sovereigns—of Maximilian the romantic, of Ferdinand the Catholic, of Isabella the orthodox—scion of the house of Hapsburg, lord of Austria, Burgundy, the Low Countries, Spain, and Naples, save Charlemagne, symbol of medieval unities, incarnation of a glorious if vanishing heritage; and here before him a simple monk, a miner’s son, with nothing to sustain him save his own faith in the Word of God.” (Bainton 141)
- Luther: “‘Unless I can be instructed and convinced with evidence from the Holy Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct grounds and reasoning—and my conscience is captive to the Word of God—then I cannot and will not recant, because it is neither safe nor wise to act against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.’” (Kittelson 161/Bainton 144/Great Controversy 160)
- “Had the eyes of the assembly been opened, they would have beheld angels of God in the midst of them, shedding beams of light athwart the darkness of error and opening minds and hearts to the reception of truth. [One lone man standing on the Word of God—and yet all of Heaven joined in his defense!] It was the power of the God of truth and wisdom that controlled even the adversaries of the reformation, and thus prepared the way for the great work about to be accomplished.” (Great Controversy 150 emphasis supplied)
- “The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things easy to be understood, or prevent us from wresting truths difficult of comprehension. It is the office of heavenly angels to prepare the heart so to comprehend God’s word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises.” (Great Controversy 600 emphasis supplied)
If you stand alone on the Word of God, you will never stand alone.
Did you lose something? Or someone? Come hear Frank Hasel, from the Biblical Research Institute, share his story of loss on October 25 at 6 PM at the AFM Training Center, Morgan Hall. 10652 Rangeline Road, Berrien Springs. Refreshments will be served after the presentation, and books will be available for purchase (cash only). Sponsored by Caring Hearts and Pioneer Women's Ministries.
Though painful and disruptive, loss is an inevitable part of life. The AU family has experienced recent losses, and many are still feeling the emotional impact. Grief is a long process. During this period of mourning, you may notice changes in appetite, sleep, mood or concentration—these are normal grief responses. Be gentle with yourself and others, and take time to care for your well-being. Healing takes time, and support is available if your struggle feels overwhelming. Remember, connection remains important even after the memorials have passed. Call 269-471-3470 for your support. Matt. 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
What does it really mean to follow Jesus?
This weekend, we’ll explore the heart of discipleship—what it truly means to walk with Jesus through life’s highs and lows. Through the ups and downs that define student life today—academic stress, identity questions, friendships, family tension, and digital noise—we’ll explore what following Christ really looks like. Not in theory, but in real life. In your life.
Jesus said, “Follow Me.” That’s more than a call—it’s a collision with everything else competing for your attention. It’s not about perfect performance or polished faith. It’s a radical invitation to walk with Jesus wherever He leads, no matter the cost. And it will cost you. Comfort. Control. Maybe even popularity. But what you gain is far greater—life with the King, purpose that doesn't fade, and hope that holds in every storm.
The question is not just, “Is He calling?”
The question is: How will you respond?
Please join Pioneer and GYC for a special weekend series October 24 and 25 to learn more.
Church offices will be closed for the Columbus Day Holiday on Monday October 13.
We are launching our Graduate/Young Professional Sabbath School on October 18th. The class will be held in the Student Center's leadership lab. If you have any questions contact Chaplain Jacob Gibbs.
Andrews Academy invites you to ALUMNI WEEKEND, October 17-19, 2025. Come and reunite with your AA family. Remember the defining moments of your past and reconnect with old friends. We look forward to seeing all of you once again at our Alumni Reunion! (All are invited, this year’s honored classes end in 5 and 0).
Please, support the AA Freshman class by ordering pupusas and more by October 17th. Pupusas freeze well! Order for future dinners!!!
The Family Life Committee invites our church family to the Annual Hayride at Five Pines Ministries. Come enjoy hayrides through the woods, a bonfire with s'mores, warm food, and even warmer fellowship. Sunday, October 12, 5-7 PM, 6597 Smith Rd in Berrien Center. Join us for this fun, autumn tradition!
Do you love serving children? If so please prayerfully consider joining the Pioneer Youth Mission team of college students and church members. We will be serving at the Hogar de Niños in Honduras from January 2-12, 2026. Question, contact Scott Schalk or Glenn Russell at glenn@andrews.edu