Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

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.

Offering

Martyrdom. Not a word you hear often in the comfort of our own pulpits. Yet it's a reality that literally millions of Christians around the world face everyday. Should you care? Should we care? Let's see what Christ had to say on the matter.
Saturday, March 08, 2014

More In This Series

02/22/2014
In love with Jesus but not a fan of the church? Maybe it's time to take a second look at the "body of Christ" and see just what it means to be "Sold Out" on Jesus.
03/01/2014
For those truly SOLD OUT on Christ's mission for the world there is a clear plan of action. Discover the 4 keys to God's plan, each of which begin with the letter "G".

“SOLD OUT!”—3

www.pmchurch.tv

Martyrs

  • The Center for the Study of Global Christianity has adopted a broad definition of

    “martyr”: “Believers in Christ who have lost their lives prematurely, in situations of witness, as a result of human hostility.” (www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/10/2815601/)

  • Frans Veerman, director of Open Doors’ World Watch List: “There is a huge gray area around the question of ‘martyrs.’ When Christians are isolated and denied clean drinking water and medical care because they are Christians and refuse to become Muslims—[and thus] they perish quicker than others—are they martyrs? In a strict sense, they aren’t. But when the whole mechanism behind [their deaths] is studied, we can say they are.” (www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/september/counting-cost-accurately.html)
  • John Allen, The Global War on Christians: “The truth is two thirds of the 2.3 billion Christians in the world today live . . . in dangerous neighbourhoods. They are often poor. They often belong to ethnic, linguistic and cultural minorities. And they are often at risk. And ultimately I think making that point is more important than being precise about the death toll.” (www.worldwatchmonitor.org)

□  The Lord of Martyrs

  • • John 16:1-3
  • • Matthew 24:9
    •  John the Baptist
    • Desire of Ages: “[Satan] had been unwearied in his efforts to draw away the
  • Baptist from a life of unreserved surrender to God; but he had failed. And he had failed to overcome Jesus. In the temptation in the wilderness, Satan had been defeated, and his rage was great. Now he determined to bring sorrow upon Christ by striking John. The One whom he could not entice to sin he would cause to suffer. Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant. He knew that John would bear the test. . . . But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to death, John was to drink the cup of martyrdom. As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells, or perish by the sword, the rack, or the fagot, apparently forsaken by God and man, what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness Christ Himself had borne witness, had passed through a similar experience!” (224)
  • • Revelation 2:10
    • stephanos—Stephen

□  How then shall we live?

  • Lord Jonathan Sacks in an address to Parliament, December 2011: “‘I have
  • followed the fate of Christians in the Middle East for years, appalled at what is happening, surprised and distressed . . . that it is not more widely known. It was Martin Luther King who said, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our
  • enemies, but the silence of our friends.” That is why I felt I could not be silent
  • today.’” (Liberty January/February 2014)
  • If you want to be involved politically:

     S. 653: Near East and South Central Asia Religious Freedom Act

    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s653

     Write your senators and petition the bill to be brought to the floor for a vote.

  • If you want to be involved spiritually:

     Pray for Seventh-day Adventist prisoner Bruno Amah in Togo  Pray for those incarcerated or suffering for their faith

  • If you want to be involved personally:

     Jim Elliot: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he

    cannot lose.”

    •   Desire of Ages: “Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men [and

      women], fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and

      the highest honor.” (225)

    •   Will you follow the Lord of martyrs to where you will find both them and Him

      today?

“R U willing 2 B SOLD OUT 4 Jesus?” 

Opening a space for DV Support

We are creating a safe, non-judgmental space where healing can begin. This is an open group where women connect with others who have had similar experiences. If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic, physical or sexual violence, this space is for you. For more information call or text 616-970-9356 or email corlis.nichols@gmail.com

Fellowship Dinner

There are no fellowship dinners for the remainder of June.

Andrews University Summer Preview

Student Visits would like to invite all Juniors and Seniors to come and be a part of Summer Preview, July 9 & 10.

Meet with two academic departments of your choice, catch a South Bend Cubs baseball game, chat with our students, and have a picnic on the beach at Lake Michigan.

 

Treat Your Dad to Breakfast on Father's Day

The All Nations Seventh-Day Adventist Church is having a fundraiser breakfast on Father's Day, June 18. Come and enjoy a scrumptious pancake breakfast with the entire family. This event is to help raise money for our pathfinders to attend the International Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, and for our church budget. Advance tickets are being sold.
Prices are as follows:

  • Adults: $8
  • Children 5-12: $5
  • Children under 5: free

Payments can be made via:

For Adventist Giving, you can use your login or give as a guest. Please make the payment to Berrien Springs SDA Church. Tickets can be picked up at All Nations. Our address is 4259 E. Snow Rd, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Please make advanced arrangements by calling 269-473-4400 or by emailing anc.berrien@gmail.com.

Offering for June 10, 2023

NAD Women's Ministries

Women are specifically designed by God to meet the needs of other women. Women’s Ministries is the best way to connect the church with unchurched women in your community and introduce them to Jesus Christ.

Across the North American Division, from the United States to Canada and from Bermuda to Guam-Micronesia, the women of the church are engaged in serving others. They give Bible studies, hold evangelistic series, and minister to those in shelters for battered and homeless women. They provide for the needs of families seeking refuge on our shores from oppressive regimes, teach English as a second language classes, tutor school children, and make bags of love for children who are displaced from their homes or their parents. The women of the church are making a significant difference in their communities and their congregations.

COVID didn’t slow down ministry, it just moved it online. Local, Conference, Union, and Division women’s ministries offered online and live webinars, retreats, and seminars. Zoom became the place to get together to talk, study, discuss books, and pray together.

Established in 1898 at the urging of Ellen White, the Women’s Ministries Offering funds evangelistic outreach events and leadership training for women across the North American Division. These women partner with God in service through ministries that seek to encourage, equip, and challenge girls, teens, young adults, and women to grow deeply in God and serve Him uniquely with their gifts and talents.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Adventist Seniors of Michiana (ASM) June 11 Potluck

Matthew 24:14 presents almost unbelievable problems, but Pastor Laurence Burn of Adventist Frontier Missions has a potential solution which he will present to ASM attendees on Sunday, June 11. Come with your food and friends who are at least 55 years old, to the Village SDA Church Fellowship Hall at 1:00 PM for fellowship, potluck, and perhaps an exciting answer to these age-old problems!

We will also be treated to a vocal solo or two by Trudean Scott-Elliott, from Jamaica, who is now a dormitory dean at Andrews University. Doug and Carol Macomber got acquainted with her last year at campmeeting and really enjoyed her beautiful voice, so now we are privileged to hear her, too!

Now Hiring Summer Staff for Andrews University Summer Camp

Nurture, interact, support and create a safe and inclusive environment for children grades 1-7. Responsibilities include managing a group of children Monday-Friday, supervising all aspects of the day, leading children through a weekly schedule and participating/teaching/assisting in all activities.

June 5-Aug 18, 2023. Various shifts available between 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday Must be at least 18 years old. Competitive pay. Lunch included! https://www.andrews.edu/admres/jobs/

New England Adventist Heritage Tour

You are invited to join the New England Adventist Heritage Tour. On this tour you will have the opportunity to walk the ground that the Adventist Pioneers walked, sing the songs they sang and learn what their passions were. As part of this tour, lectures will be given in which lessons from Adventist history will be applied to life today. Give yourself the chance to deepen your understanding of Adventist history and have an enjoyable time while doing so! 
•       Dates: July 16–23, 2023 (Sunday–Sunday)
•       Cost:
     o  Students: MDiv and MAR students pay $385 in addition to their Summer Semester Tuition
     o  Spouses: There are 5 reduced rate spouse seats at $799, but if the number of spouses exceeds five, additional spouses will pay the full price of $1,725.
     o  Community members: $1,725.
•       Applications Now Accepted: Applications will only be accepted via email at carclasses@andrews.edu.
•       Brochure & Application Form: See online at www.centerforadventistresearch.org/netour/.
•       Courses Offered: See www.centerforadventistresearch.org/netour/.

Video about the historical tour: https://youtu.be/bklPuhasb7I

Pray-ers Needed

Each Sabbath morning at both 1st and 2nd services, people gather in "The Prayer Room" to pray for the church service, the participants, and the congregants, both in-house and online. We are in need of more volunteers for both services. We pray for the prayer requests submitted each week (which are anonymous). We participate in the congregational prayer and listen to the sermon on a monitor provided in The Prayer Room. If you have a heart to pray for others or are looking for more information, please contact Deb Montcalm at greengables75@yahoo.com.

N2N Looking for an Adventist Administrator

Neighbor To Neighbor, Adventist Community Service Center is looking for an Adventist Administrator. Must be caring, flexible and have great communication skills with management and public relations experience. Must have an associate or bachelor degree. Duties include management of the Thrift Store, volunteers and facilities supervision. A full time position with benefits. If interested, have questions or want to submit a resume contact: info@n2nhelps.com

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