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Stories in the Rearview Mirror

Why I Believe in the ‘1000 Man March’ After Ferguson

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Speaker

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

In 1832, a man named Joseph Bates decided in the sight of God that he must take a stand for those who were oppressed. The world has changed much since then, but one thing remains: The oppressed are still with us. What can we learn today from the stance taken by that old sea captain so many years ago?
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
I’m Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Donald Hustad
Hello
Praise
This Is Amazing Grace
From The Inside Out
Mighty To Save
Create In Me A Clean Heart
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Children’s Story
Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us With Your Love
Ghanaian Traditional / Robert Powell
Worship in Music
Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?
African-American Spiritual
Sermon
"Why I Believe in the ‘1000 Man March’ After Ferguson”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes, & Offerings
Closing Hymn
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian • 319
As We Depart
March (Occasional Oratorio)
George Frideric Handel

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02/21/2015
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01/10/2015
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As we enter into a new year, we see a world still fraught with the troubles and turmoil of the year just ended. Yet if we dig even further into history, we find a small band of devoted Christ followers living in the United States who were willing to sacrifice all for His kingdom. What lessons can we glean from them as we begin a new chapter of our own?
All Sermons
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“Stories in the Rearview Mirror:

Why I Believe in the ‘1000 Man March’

After Ferguson”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • Joseph Bates
    • “About the close of 1831, and commencement of 1832, antislavery societies began to be organized again in the United States, advocating immediate emancipation. . . . I then began to feel the importance of taking a decided stand on the side of the oppressed. My labor in the cause of temperance had caused a pretty thorough sifting of my friends, and I felt that I had no more [friends] that I wished to part with; but duty was clear that I could not be a consistent Christian if I stood on the side of the oppressor, for God was not there. Neither could I claim his promises if I stood on neutral ground. Hence my only alternative was to plead for the slave, and thus I decided.” (Autobiography of Joseph Bates 235-236)
  • Apostle Paul
    • Philemon 8-9, 12-16
    • “I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love.”
  • Ellen White
    •       “In the past, some attempts have been made to present the truth to the colored people, but those among the white people who claim to believe the truth have wanted to build a high between themselves and the colored race. We have one , who died for the black man, as well as for the white. Those who possess the spirit of Christ will have pity and love for all who know not the precious Saviour. They will labor to the utmost of their ability to wipe away the reproach of ignorance from white and black alike. . . .

“The colored people have been neglected because the vexed question of how to build a wall of between the whites and the blacks has been in agitation. Some have thought it the best way to reach the white people first, for if we should labor for the colored people we could do nothing for the white population. This is not the right position to assume. Christ’s followers are to learn all about the woes of the in their immediate vicinity and in their own country, be they white or black. The poor, friendless, untaught colored people need our assistance because they are ignorant and friendless. Those who have a dark, disagreeable life are the very ones whom we should bid to hope because Christ is their Saviour. God has jewels in the rough, and His true followers will find them. All who possess the spirit of Christ will have a tender, sympathetic heart, and an open, generous hand.

“Those who press close to the bleeding side of Christ will have the spirit of Christ, and a nature that will be quickly responsive to His  call. They will work to relieve the necessities of suffering humanity, as Christ worked, while, before the world fallen, the worlds unfallen, and all the heavenly host, He was representing the ways and works of God. In the life of Christ we see what a Christian can do in relieving the distressed, binding up their physical and spiritual wants.” (Letter 5, July 24, 1895/Manuscript Releases 4:2-4)

  • Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963)

 

“I appeal to you on the basis of love.”

 

Offering for April 26, 2025

Michigan Advance Partners

Author Melvin Santos Speaking: When I was little boy, I was asked to help collect the offerings with the adult deacons and deaconesses. I wondered how we would get the money to God. My young innocent mind was trying to process this dilemma. Is there a special place we deposit the money and God sends His angels to pick it up later? Then I learned that the church represents the body of Christ on earth. So, when we give to the church, we really give it to God by faith.

God doesn’t need our money to do His work on earth. He owns the universe and galaxies. But He allows us to partner with Him so He can bless us, make us the funnel to bless others, and grow His kingdom. God’s systematic giving plan enables us to develop His character. Our great opportunity is to join heavenly agencies in the great plan of redemption.

“We cannot enrich Him with our gifts. Says the Psalmist: ‘All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.’ Yet God permits us to show our appreciation of His mercies by self-sacrificing efforts to extend the same to others. This is the only way in which it’s possible for us to manifest our gratitude and love to God. He has provided no other.” (Counsels on Stewardship, p.18).

Today, let’s be the blessing that blesses others. North American Division Stewardship Ministries 

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Best Buddies Friendship Walk

Best buddies is a worldwide organization that fosters relationships between individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with others in the community. This April there will be a friendship walk on the Andrews campus. This will help us raise money for the organization, which then helps other chapters to be opened in new schools as well as programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. If you are interested in joining us for the walk you can sign up, and if you can not join us on April 27 you can still donate. All donations are welcome and appreciated.

Memorial Service for Bruce Wrenn

 The Memorial Service for Bruce Wrenn will be on Sabbath, April 26 at 5 PM at Pioneer Memorial Church. Visitation with the family will be in the Narthex from 4-5 PM.

Music Camp at Pioneer!

The Institute of Young Musicians for Christ is excited to be having a music camp at Pioneer Memorial Church! At our music camps young people ages 6-17 are offered an immersive, week-long musical experience. Our quality musical training—combined with fun, friends, and faith-building encounters— provides a truly incredible opportunity. The camp offers tracks for children 6-12 with or without musical experience and a track for teenagers with significant musical experience. To learn more and register, visit iymcsda.org/michigan. We hope to see you there!

Lamson Hall Upgrades with Maranatha

From May 11–June 8, 2025, Maranatha Volunteers International will be working at Andrews University to update the Lamson Hall residential rooms and suite bathrooms. Please consider volunteering and letting your family and friends know of this opportunity. All individuals (including local) should sign up at the Maranatha website: https://maranatha.org/volunteer-opportunities/.