Pastors' Blog | Pioneer Memorial Church

By Pioneer Pastors

Feb

February 19, 2025

By John Glass

February 17 is Presidents’ Day. But how is it we have one of these days anyway? It started as a day set aside to honor George Washington’s birthday. A former neighbor of mine used to talk about money as being a way of honoring presidents. He said you have to die before they put you on a greenback so he sarcastically called them “dead Presidents”. So far we have had 45 men in 47 presidencies, and yes, based on sociological studies, there is a definite carryover between the man in the Oval Office and what’s going on in the world around them. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Tim. 2.1-4, “That we should offer prayers—intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and those in authority, so we can live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.” It strikes me that one of the best ways of being political is to spend time praying for whoever is in office, be they the president, a congressperson, a governor, or even a mayor. What do you think?

Ps.22.28 reminds us that the Lord rules over the nations. Sometimes people have a hard time surrendering to Him, but your and my prayers could make a big difference there. One more response from us could enhance their governing: Heb 13.17, says “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no benefit to you.” Makes sense.

The 4 highest-rated presidents in American history are Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt. Of all the presidents, the one that is rated as the best was Jimmy Carter—because he got the most accomplished—more in 4 years than most would in 8. I was always impressed with his working on Habitat for Humanity in retirement rather than golfing.

There are a lot of quotable quotes from many of the presidents. This one for instance: “There can be no greater good than the quest for peace, and no finer purpose than the preservation of freedom.” - Ronald Reagan. “There is no honor for what a person received, but rather for what he gave.” - Calvin Coolidge. “The national character cannot be built by law. It is the sum of the moral fiber of its individuals.” - Herbert Hoover. Another quote that I don’t remember who said it, but, “When a government lacks honor, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.” We need to pray for whoever is on the Hill.

Lastly, one of the more thoughtful quotes is this one: “All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort—a sustained effort—to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.” - Barack Obama.

We do have our problems, but if we look around like one fellow who came back to this country knowing he would be arrested as soon as he stepped off the plane, said he’d rather be in jail in America than free anywhere else. And as Paul said, we should pray for our leaders. Join me in this?

Feb

February 12, 2025

A Season of Giving and Dreams for the Future: Harbor of Hope Church’s Outreach and Vision for Benton Harbor

By Jonathan Garcia

This December marked a significant moment in my journey as Pastor of Harbor of Hope Church. It was a time of new beginnings, as I had the honor of being officially installed as the Pastor in a meaningful and heartfelt ceremony. But what made this season even more special was the way our church and community came together to celebrate the spirit of generosity, outreach, and unity.

One of the highlights of this holiday season was our Christmas at the Pump event, which was a beautiful testament to what can be accomplished when we come together as a community. In partnership with STOPMichigan State Police, Kalamazoo Excavation, Diane Young and Sisters from Another Mother, and other generous contributors, we set out with one mission: to spread love in a way that truly mattered.

On a cold winter evening, we provided free fuel at two local gas stations: Sunny Spot and Marathon, blessing over 200 vehicles and reaching countless families struggling this time of year. Each car that came through wasn’t just receiving fuel; it was a reminder that our Benton Harbor community is seen, cared for, and supported by united partners who are committed to making a difference. The event was more than just about gas; it was about offering hope and support during a time when many families were facing financial hardship.

Christmas at the Pump was a joy-filled occasion, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it a success. From our community partners to our volunteers, thank you for your generous hearts and commitment to making this event a reality. This is one of our favorite community services, and we can’t wait to do it again next year, continuing to bring light and joy to the Benton Harbor community.

As we reflect on the beautiful impact of this outreach, we also look ahead to even greater possibilities for Harbor of Hope Church. As Pastor, I have big dreams for this church and for Benton Harbor. One of the most exciting projects I envision is the establishment of a computer science lab for the kids in our church and community. Having worked as a computer science teacher, I know how powerful technology can be in shaping the future. The kids in Benton Harbor deserve the opportunity to learn coding, technology, and career development skills that will set them on a path toward higher education and successful careers. By providing them with access to these skills, we can help equip them to thrive in the modern world. Check out some of the highlights from Christmas at the Pump here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/12G93Mftgjz/.

In addition to the computer science lab, I also dream of creating a greenhouse and hydroponics lab. This will not only provide the community with valuable knowledge on sustainable farming and agriculture, but it will also offer an opportunity for us all to become better stewards of God’s creation. In Genesis, God calls us to care for the earth and its resources, and I believe this project will help foster a deeper connection to the natural world while empowering people to make a real difference in their environment. The greenhouse will be a place where we can learn and grow together, teaching the importance of being caretakers of the earth as we develop sustainable solutions for our community.

And of course, our work at Harbor of Hope does not stop with these dreams. We are continuing our food pantry efforts to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. The food pantry has become a crucial resource for Benton Harbor families, providing them with the support they need to get through difficult times. We believe that no one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, and we are committed to serving our community by meeting this basic need.

As we continue to move forward, we are guided by the words of Matthew 25:35-40, where Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” At Harbor of Hope, we seek to live out this calling by serving those in need in our community. Our outreach programs, like Christmas at the Pump, the food pantry, and the future projects we are working on, all reflect our desire to make a tangible impact on the lives of those around us.

As we head into this new year, I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. I am excited about continuing to build on the foundation of generosity and service that our church has established, and I am thrilled to see our dreams for the computer science lab, greenhouse, and other community programs come to life. Together, we will continue to make Benton Harbor a better place for all, one act of kindness at a time.

1 John 3:18 reminds us, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” At Harbor of Hope, we believe that love is shown through action. Thank you for being part of our mission to spread love, hope, and joy to Benton Harbor. May God bless each of you abundantly in this new year, and we look forward to seeing you in 2025 as we continue to serve together.

With hope and excitement for the future,
Pastor Jonathan Garcia
Harbor of Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church

Feb

February 5, 2025

The Tithing Agreement

By Hans Miranda Chavez

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10 NIV).

In the text above, we observe a proposed agreement between God and those who accept to enter into a covenant with Him. I don’t find any evidence to suggest that this covenant was only for the people of Israel or, in the present time, only for those considered God’s people. Instead, I propose that anyone can enter into a covenant with God and reap the blessings as promised. Let’s start with the basics: What is the tithe?

In Scripture, a tithe is first mentioned when Abraham and his allies defeated the kings who had taken the people of Sodom as prisoners in Genesis 14:17-20. Abraham gives a tenth of everything he had taken from the battle. It is mentioned a second time when Jacob vows to give a tenth of all God gives him (Gen. 28:20-22). But what is a tithe? A tithe simply means a tenth. When God says to bring the whole tithe, he commands those who covenant with Him to bring a tenth or ten percent of all their earnings back to the church. According to Scripture, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psa. 24:1), meaning God owns one hundred percent of our earnings. Yet, in his grace, he lets us keep ninety percent of what’s His and only asks for ten percent. Now that we understand what a tithe is, how should our tithes be given?

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” (Mal. 3:10). According to Scripture, the storehouse or the treasury was a particular room in the temple. (2 Ch. 31:11). This is where the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts were faithfully brought to. (v. 12). In the present day, the concept remains. The tithe should be given to the treasury of the local church in which the person’s membership is held, who then send these to the treasury of the local conference. How, then, should tithes be used?

According to Numbers chapter 18, the tithes of the children of Israel were offered as a heave offering to the Lord, given to the Levites as an inheritance (v. 24). The tithes were meant to support the Levites. They also gave the tithe of those tithes to the priests (Num. 18: 23-26). The Levites and priests were in charge of the religious services full-time. The church's pastors and lay workers are currently responsible for the religious services. This is why the tithes are currently used to support pastors and lay workers employed by the church. Finally, what must be tithed?

In Genesis 28, Jacob vows to give a tithe of all that God was to give him (v. 22). Our covenant with God should be the same. How does that translate to today? We must tithe on our personal income. Personal income includes our salary, hourly wage, commission, tips, and allowances, to name a few. Our tithe should be computed on the gross salary or wage amount before any legal or employee-required deductions.

Let’s review our tithe covenant with God. First, God requires a tithe or ten percent of all our income. No less and no more. Second, we must set that amount aside before using our income for any other purpose. Third, we bring it to the church's treasury, indicating that it is a tithe (and not an offering). Fourth, trust that our tithe is being used for its rightful purpose: supporting the workers and mission of the church. We show God our faithfulness by doing the first three. The fourth depends on the faithfulness of the church leaders, but being a steward of all God gives us is an honor and a responsibility that brings countless blessings to our lives and those who surround us.

Jan

January 29, 2025

MORE+ Conference Coming Soon to Pioneer

By Shane Anderson

Do we have enough?

It's an important question, isn't it? If you're going on a trip, do you have enough money? If you're hiking in the desert, do you have enough water? Under these and countless other conditions, we will be very careful to make sure we have “enough” to meet our needs.

But what about when it comes to knowing Jesus?

The raw, frustrating, undeniable truth is this: The very fact that you are reading this right now on planet earth tells us that we do not yet have enough of Jesus. For when we, individually and corporately, come to know Jesus as it is our privilege to know Him, Jesus will recognize that fact by returning to earth to take us to heaven to be with Him—and until then, what we have of Jesus is simply not enough!

Please join us March 2-8 at Pioneer for seven days of MORE; seven days of deep, genuine instruction on how to be transformed by Jesus Christ. Pastor Don MacLafferty, founder and director of In Discipleship, will be sharing how we as individuals and as a church family can experience the kind of revival and discipleship that lasts till the Second Coming and beyond.

We hope you can join us in person for this special event

Additional Information

Would you be willing to help prepare our church family for the MORE + Conference? We are looking for 144 Prayer Partners that will pray for 10-15 families assigned to them during February and March. (As I write this, we need just 34 more Prayer Partners—please help us close that gap!) Revival need only be expected in answer to prayer, and we would cherish your assistance in this behind-the-scenes, but-oh-so-important role.

Signup to be a Prayer Partner

What we have of Jesus is not enough. Praise God that MORE is on the way!

Jan

January 8, 2025

Seek to Show Hospitality

By Jacob Gibbs

“Welcome home.”

The words that were meant to convey warmth and belonging caused an eerie juxtaposition in my mind. I had heard these words many times without such a controversy in my soul. However, this time, the small expression called forth a response that I had not anticipated.

It was 2017 and I was on an assignment for my Christian Witness & World Religions class. We had been asked to pick a unique faith group and attend a worship service, and I had selected the closest mosque.

Before now, I had visited several Muslim countries. I had experienced the very early morning prayer call. I had noticed the quietness of the streets on Fridays. I had stood outside the main mosque in Jordan to sketch and draw people for an art class. But I had never stepped inside a Muslim place of worship until now.

The words “welcome home” were energized with a warmth, a joy, and a sense of gravity. If I could have smelled these words, they would have been like the fresh aroma of Momma’s baked bread lingering in the air, calling me to the table to join in family fellowship. They were sprinkled and seasoned with a love that could only come from a lifelong friend, but I had never met the man.

As I had traveled to that mosque in East Lansing, I had never anticipated a welcome that would disarm me of all my prejudices. I could imagine that if I hadn’t had such a strong conviction for Adventism and a real, transformative experience with the Gospel, I might have returned one day. At the very least, the hospitable words broke through my apprehension and made me feel at peace in that place and as if I belonged during that Friday service.

What about now?

I am new to the Berrien Springs community. Do I have that same sense of belonging when I attend Pioneer Memorial Church? Do I provide to others a sense that they are at home in my congregation?

After the Gospel presentation in the first 11 chapters of the book of Romans, Paul switches from building a theological structure that lifts up Jesus and His salvation, to helping the readers apply the practical gears of the Gospel in their lives. In Romans 12, Paul gives a list of more than a dozen ways by which the Gospel should move the machinery of our hearts in order to help us live out the good news of Christ. In verse 13, Paul counsels us to “seek to show hospitality” or, in other words, to pursue the showing of love to those that we don’t know.

As I think of all the places where we should show hospitality to others, inviting them to feel at home, churches should, perhaps, be the warmest places of all—places where our welcome thermostats are turned up high.

Let’s challenge ourselves to make steps toward a sense of belonging and to invite others to belong with us. Let’s seek to more robustly embrace the mission of the kingdom with the active community of Christ.

Let’s answer both calls at once and make small group ministry—in the midst of our large congregation—one means by which we can seek to show hospitality.

Nov

November 27, 2024

OPERATION SAFE SPACE

By Jharony Gibbs

“When are you coming back?”, he asked. “yeah! When?!” exclaimed another. These are the questions our team received when we culminated OPERATION SAFE SPACE this summer. The month of July was crazy, to say the least. The first week of July is a BLITZ week, where we go out every day, then go out a couple of days a week, to end with a full BLITZ on the last week of July. Every Sabbath during the month of July, we picked up kids to come to church. Every week, there were kids lined up to come.

It is a joy to see the excitement in a child’s eyes when they are being picked up to come to church. Our kids love church! In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The desire of Harbor of Hope is to be able to provide transportation to any child who wants to attend church. Awesome! Right? But the thing is, we do not have it. One of our vans broke down and the other one is unreliable.

Although we are not able to keep bringing kids to church weekly, Harbor of Hope still conducts outreach in our community of Benton Harbor, focused on our adopted housing complex- Berrien Homes.

In collaboration with Andrews University Center for Faith Engagement, Nicholas Gunn, Sister from Another Mother, Diane Young, Salvation Army, and many others; Harbor of Hope provided Berrien Homes on Nov 17, 2024, with a Thanksgiving Blessing. Andrews University students and Harbor of Hope church members showered multiple homes with prayers, presence, and cleaning. A time when moms, aunties, uncles, fathers, and grandparents could take a break from the business of life as our volunteers were hard at work, scrubbing walls, cleaning bathrooms, sweeping, mopping, etc. Above all, the ministry of presence was tangible.

20 families in Berrien Homes were blessed with a cordless handheld vacuum and a special sweet treat for their family nights. As we walked from home to home, the kids followed and walked with us. Asking us one question: “When are you coming back to bring us to church?”

Have you ever had something that brings you joy but pains your heart at the same time? This is what that question did for me, for Harbor of Hope. While other churches are struggling to keep kids and youth in church, we are struggling with the opposite. We just do not have the means to bring them.

It’s the best problem to have. A bunch of amazing kids searching for God and wanting to come to church but a church that does not have the transportation to make it happen.

As we approach our Christmas season, I want you to ask God if He is calling you to reach deeper into your pockets and into your hearts to make church possible for spiritually hungry kids in Benton Harbor. My dream is for us to have multiple vans with the Harbor of Hope Logo on it, and be recognizable in the whole Benton Harbor. For our kids to look up at the vans and know that they also get an opportunity to come to church and worship Jesus. The kingdom of Heaven does not just belong to us, it belongs to them too.

Nov

November 20, 2024

Reflecting With Joy: A Feast of Hymns at 25

By Kenneth Logan

A Feast of Hymns turned 25 years old on Wednesday, November 20. Yes, A Feast of Hymns was born on Sabbath, November 20, 1999.

Yet unique elements of this PMC Thanksgiving Celebration go back to at least Thanksgiving 1986, when there was a Processional Offering. And then the November 28, 1987 church bulletin acknowledges a “Notes of Thanks Offering.”

The first celebration had the heading Bring Joy! Give Thanks! A Feast of Hymns, but also had the unique additional title, "Faith Ablaze! Hymns of Heart and Heritage." On that day in 1999, Andrews University president Niels-Erik Andreasen preached on the topic, "Music, Spirituality, and Worship."

And on that day in 1999, two musical pillars were instituted.

First, "This Is a Time for Banners and Bells" was a hymn with a choir stanza, and as of this next Sabbath will have occurred in a total of 17 Feast Sabbath over the years. Second, "What Gift Can We Bring?" also was a congregational hymn, occurring as a congregational invitation to the Procession of Thanksgiving in 22 Feast Sabbaths over the years, including this next Sabbath.

Particularly with "What Gift?", Minnesota composer, Donna Kasbohm's gentle melody, using motifs found in the famous Westminster Quarters carillon pattern, has figured in various versions of the melody and a substantial number of musical arrangements in these services.

Here are some notable features of A Feast of Hymns through the years.

In every one of them, Steven Zork has served as choral conductor, the most frequent participating choir being the Andrews University Chorale. Frequently, premier presentations of new musical works and arrangements have occurred. A brass quartet or quintet has been frequent, as have been string quartets.

Retired Lead Pastor Dwight Nelson spoke the homilies in most of them. Pathfinder youth and leaders have collected and processed many thousands of food items for members of the community in association with the Procession of Thanksgiving. Thousands of notes of Thanksgiving have been written. Many prayers of joy have ascended.

Special features uniquely have included one Feast Sabbath subtitled, "Christ Comes Again!", and one commemorating 500 years from 1517, the famous Martin Luther year of the 95 theses'.

At the core of A Feast of Hymns have been the two elements of Joy and Thanksgiving: "Bring Joy! Give Thanks!" and as on November 23, 2024 choir singers will conclude with the choral response "Take Joy! Live Thanks!", we receive both encouragement and admonition to take from this celebration God’s abundant joy, and to live out a spirit of Thanksgiving!

Nov

November 13, 2024

Cultivating Gratitude

By Lindsey Pratt

“The air is changing as the final leaves fall off the trees. Fall is ending and winter is around the corner. We are on the cusp of a new season. The season of thankfulness is upon us. This season is an invitation to reflect on the blessings we have and the ways we can share those blessings with others. Often, in the busyness of life, it’s easy to overlook how much we’ve been given. We can be thankful for: health, family, homes, food, and community. As we pause, we’re reminded that thankfulness isn’t simply a reaction to good circumstances but a posture we can adopt regardless of what we face. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” challenges us to cultivate gratitude even in hard times, trusting that God is working all things for good.(Romans 8:28)

This heart of gratitude naturally leads to a heart of giving. True thankfulness invites us to look outward and give to others as we’ve been blessed. That’s why we’re especially excited about our upcoming mission trip to Zambia. This trip is more than a journey; it’s a chance to serve, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. In Zambia, we’ll be connecting with communities, providing gifts, food, and sharing God’s love in tangible ways. Remember, when we serve others, we are serving Him.

Here at Pioneer, our Pathfinders are organizing a canned food drive to support those in need in our community. We believe our community can come together to make a significant impact. This food drive is an invitation for everyone to participate—no matter the size of the donation, every bit counts and demonstrates the power of unity in giving. Another way to help is to deliver the boxes of food!

In this season, we’re encouraged to live generously and gratefully, be thankful for the blessings we’ve received while holding our hands open to give. May our thankfulness be reflected in the way we serve others, both near and far, and may our hearts overflow with gratitude, knowing that each act of kindness is a reflection of God’s love in this season of thankfulness.

Nov

November 6, 2024

Finding Hope: In the Wake of the Election

By Ben Martin

I do not know how you slept last night, but I did not get enough sleep. And this was more than likely a phenomenon that impacted much of this country. Many stayed up late as the election results came in spits and spurts. I did not last until everything was decided, and shortly after I woke up this morning, the victor was announced.

About half of the country woke up dumbfounded this morning to see who the next president would be, while the other half woke up hopeful for the future. There were hopes and dreams on both sides. Honestly, it does not matter who won; half of the nation would have been disheartened, and half would be excited.

It's natural to look at the world’s problems and yearn for change. However, as Seventh-day Adventists, we have chosen to anchor our hope in Jesus and His imminent return. Attempting to address spiritual dilemmas through political avenues will inevitably lead to disappointment.

As a children and family pastor, I am deeply committed to nurturing the next generation. They are growing up in a nation that is increasingly divided. We must instill in them a firm faith and trust in Jesus. It may sound like a cliché, but the sin problem was so severe that the only solution was to send the Son of God.

If we want to raise a generation that places their hope in Jesus and His imminent return, then that must be modeled for them. We, as adults, have a responsibility to show them the way, to lead by example. We cannot continue promoting political parties from our churches and expect our children not to follow the lead.

This does not mean we do not engage in politics; we can participate while placing our ultimate hope in the only one who can save us. We must stick to the Gospel and proclaim it. We must make disciples of Jesus instead of political parties. We must focus on the task we have been called to; it is not merely getting people to live what we believe but knowing Who we believe. It might sound cliché, but Jesus is the answer, the source of our hope and comfort in these uncertain times!

Oct

October 30, 2024

Christmas Behind Bars

By Esther Knott

On Sunday, October 27, just before sunrise, more than 250 people made their way to Johnson Gym on the campus of Andrews University for an 8:00 AM start to begin the Christmas Behind Bars project to prepare care packages for those who are in prison. A fresh crew of about 200 more joined the project at 10:00 AM In just 3 hours and 11 minutes the group of approximately 450 men and women, boys and girls, prepared 6,912 bags. During the Christmas season, every inmate in the Nebraska State Penitentiary system will receive one of these care packages.

The care packages included: Christian literature, a seasoning mix, a handmade card, Bible Study Guides from 3ABN, pretzel sticks, a popping stocking, Ramen Noodles, Graham Crackers, Sweet Tarts, marshmallows, sweet Haven plant-based candy, Planters peanuts, crackers, thirst quencher power packets, cheddar popcorn, a calendar, and of course—a candy cane.

The project was sponsored by Andrews University, the North American Division, Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs Village Adventist Church, and the Center for Community Engagement. Between these groups, $8,000 was raised to bring this ministry to our campus. In addition—the Student Missions Program provided snacks and water for the volunteers.

Project coordinators Teela Ruehle and Esther Knott were thrilled with the number of people who came to help. All four long lines of tables were full of people filling bags like in an assembly line. It was a high-energy, family-friendly event. People wore name tags which helped to build a sense of community. Participants jumped right in to do whatever was needed, including taking care of the mountains of cardboard that had held the products. Several strong men got their Sunday morning workout by efficiently loading the Christmas Behind Bars trailer.

The Friday before the event several groups were involved in the setting up: the Andrews University Custodial Department, students from Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and Andrews Academy, and campus and community friends.

Lemuel Vega, the Director of Christmas Behind Bars, was especially pleased with the event. He’s grateful for the leadership of Pastor Shane Anderson, Pastor Ron Kelly, Teela Ruhle, and Esther Knott who used their influence to call the church and the campus to respond to Jesus’ call to visit those who are in prison.

A video report on this project will air as part of 3ABN Today Live on Thursday October 31 starting at 9pm EDT.