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 the 19th century, a young woman was called by God to a ministry that would eventually become a worldwide movement. What does her legacy mean for us today?
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
Toccata in G
Heinrich Scheidemann
Introit
AlleluiaPraise
Paul Basler
Praise
I Can Only Imagine
Hosanna
Let My Words Be Few
Prayer
Sabine Vatel
Kingdom Growth
Sabine Vatel, Rodlie Ortiz
Worship in Music
If Love Should Count You Worthy
James Mulholland
Sermon
“Stories in the Rearview Mirror: Ellen White and Why I Believe in the Ordination of Women”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Closing Hymn
Rise Up, O Church of God • 615
As We Depart
Fugue in E-Flat
Johann Sebastian Bach

More In This Series

03/07/2015
When a young physician undergoes a conversion through the work of the Holy Spirit, he joins forces with a comrade and proceeds to bring about a revolution to point the focus back to Christ. What kind of transformation can the Third Person's Last Rain bring about in our lives today?
02/21/2015
"We entered upon this work penniless, with few friends, and broken in health.” - James White. What does a God who sacrificed all for His children ask of those who wish to follow Him today?
01/31/2015
Deep in the heart of an unknown Asian country lives one of the most explosive spiritual growth movements on the planet. What is their secret and how can we apply it to our own lives right now?
01/24/2015
On Sept. 26, 1874 the first Adventist missionary set foot on the shores of Europe. It was the first step towards building what would become a global movement. What step should we take today?
01/17/2015
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?
01/10/2015
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?

“Stories in the Rearview Mirror:

Why I Believe in Ellen White and the Ordination of Women”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • Why I Believe in Ellen White:
    • Matthew 7:15-20
    • Her reflection fifty years later:

“I visited . . . the spot where I met with the accident that has made me a life-long invalid. This misfortune, which for a time seemed so bitter and was so hard to bear, has proved to be a blessing in disguise. The cruel blow which blighted the joys of earth, was the means of turning my eyes to heaven. I might never have known Jesus, had not the sorrow that clouded my early years led me to seek comfort in him.” (Review and Herald, November 25, 1884)

  • Her conversion testimony:

“Faith now took possession of my heart. I felt an inexpressible love for God, and had the witness of His Spirit that my sins were pardoned. My views of the Father were changed. I now looked upon Him as a kind and tender parent, rather than a stern tyrant compelling men to a blind obedience. My heart went out toward Him in a deep and fervent love. . . . My heart was so filled with love to God and the peace that passeth understanding, that I loved to meditate and pray.” (Life Sketches 39)

  • Her first vision:

“While we were praying, the power of God came upon me as I had never felt it before. I seemed to be surrounded with light, and to be rising higher and higher from the earth. I turned to look for the advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, ‘Look again, and look a little higher.’ At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the advent people were traveling to the city which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the ‘midnight cry.’ This light shone all along the path, and gave light for their feet, so that they might not stumble. If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe.” (Life Sketches 64, emphasis supplied)

  • Three passions that ignited Ellen White’s life and ministry:
    • #1—A passion for the

“You are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love—this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.” (Steps to Christ 70-71)

  • #2—A passion for the

“The Lord is coming. Lift up your heads and rejoice. . . . This is the good, the joyful news which should electrify every soul, which should be repeated in our homes, and told to those whom we meet on the street. What more joyful news can be communicated!” (Evangelism 218)

  • #3—A passion for the .

“Recently in the night season I was awakened from sleep and given a view of the sufferings of Christ for men. His sacrifice, the mockery and derision He received at the hands of wicked men, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, His betrayal and crucifixion—all were vividly portrayed before me. . . . As I have thought of that cup trembling in the hands of Christ; 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 winning souls to Him.” (Testimonies to the Church 9:101-103)

  • No wonder Ellen White’s life and ministry were so fruitful!
    • She is considered today the most translated author in history.
    • She is the most translated author, male or female.
    • Her literary productions totaled approximately pages, the equivalent of words.
    • More than titles are in print bearing her name, including books that are compilations.
  • As fruit of her ministry and leadership, God raised up the Seventh-day Adventist Church to become:
    • The largest Protestant system in the world today.
    • The largest Protestant system in the world today.
    • The largest Protestant enterprise in the world today.
    • The most expansive Protestant outreach in the world today, with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in more countries than any other denomination.

 

  • And the Ordination of Women:
    • The irony in this movement, co-founded by a woman of such global influence and spiritual authority, is the debate over whether women should be allowed to share the same spiritual leadership and authority as men as recognized by the rite of ordination to the gospel ministry.
    • J N Andrews:

Regarding the church in Corinth “what the apostle says to women in such a church as this, and in such a state of things, is not to be taken as directions to all Christian women in other churches and in other times.” (Review and Herald 1-2-1879 emphasis supplied)

  • J N Andrews:

“The number of women of whom honorable mention is made for their labors in the gospel is not small. Now, in view of these facts, how can any man in this age of Bibles say that the Bible does not notice women, or give them a place in the work of God? The Lord chooses his own workers, and he does not judge as man judges. Man looks at appearance; God judges the heart, and he never makes mistakes.” (Signs of the Times 10-30-1879)

  • Denis Fortin:

“I also find it interesting that in her 70 years of ministry Ellen White never referred to or commented on 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 or 1 Timothy 2:12 to limit the ministry women can do in the church or society. Perhaps her silence speaks volumes as to the importance we should give these two passages.” (“Ellen White, Women in Ministry and the Ordination of Women” [TOSC paper] p 6)

  • Ellen White:

“If women do the work that is not the most agreeable to many of those who labor in word and doctrine, and if their works testify that they are accomplishing a work that has been manifestly neglected, should not such labor be looked upon as being as rich in results as the work of the ordained ministers? . . . This question is not for men to settle. The Lord has settled it. . . .  Again and again the Lord has shown me that women teachers are just as greatly needed to do the work to which He has appointed them as are men. . . . There are women who should labor in the gospel ministry.”  (Manuscript Releases 5:325 emphasis supplied)

  • Ellen White:

“It is the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit of God that prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors to the flock of God.” (Testimonies to the Church 6:322 emphasis supplied)

  • For further study see my paper “My Personal Testimony: Some Pastoral Reflections” (www.pmchurch.tv)

 

“By her fruits you shall know them

 

 

WAUS Second Sunday Series: Peter Aglinskas

Award-winning guitarist and Harper Music Department faculty member Peter Aglinskas returns to the Sunday Music Series stage for a concert of his solo fingerstyle arrangements of Latin, Jazz, Soul, and Classic Rock gems. The concert will be held at the Howard Performing Arts Center on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. FREE event - no tickets needed. This event is sponsored by WAUS 90.7 FM

Grow Groups are Ready to Join

Small groups for PMC, known as Grow Groups, are now beginning for the fall semester. Please text "JOIN" to 269-281-2345 to view the groups and choose one or more that interests you. If would would like to lead your own group, text "LEAD" to the same number, and complete and submit the form.

Offering for September 13, 2025

World Budget (Radio Ministries)

Imagine learning about God through a message in a bottle!

That’s exactly what happened to a devout Muslim in Israel, who found a bottle containing a flyer for Adventist World Radio’s video Bible study series. It made him curious, so he, his wife, and their 10 children decided to watch. His daughter Sarah gasped during one of the videos. She’d recently started having dreams where she was learning about the Bible, and she exclaimed to her family, “The woman in this video is saying exactly what the man in my dream told me!”

After watching these videos, the entire family decided to get baptized.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. AWR’s radio station in Nazareth has started broadcasting programs in Israel, the West Bank, Palestine, and beyond, and hundreds have been contacting the station and studying the Bible as a result.

But the Middle East isn’t the only supposedly “impossible” place being reached with the gospel! Last year, in Europe, 1,530 churches across 38 European countries participated in AWR and Total Member Involvement’s Christ for Europe initiative. Attendees included everyone from refugees in Ukraine to people who found out about the meetings during Coronation celebrations in London.

We encourage you to give generously to support all the radio ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Stewardship Ministries. 

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Thrive: Mental Health Symposium

This event runs September 11 to 14 and is open to the public at no cost. Please view flyer for details. AU employees and students should use the RSVP option to receive co-curricular and wellness credits, respectively. Contact 269-471-3470 or ctcenter@andrews.edu for any other information needed.

Pathfinder Registration

It's time for children in Grade 5-12 to register to be part of the Evergreen Pathfinder Club for this school year.  As we start our new year we hope you can join us as we have fun, learn about God and share the good news of salvation in a safe welcoming environment. Please text PMCEP  to 269-281-2345 to receive the registration form.  Questions please contact Errol.prentice@pmchurch.org

Sabbath School Lesson Overview on the Book of Joshua

Everyone is invited to the overview of the Fourth Quarter Sabbath school lesseon presented by Dr. Rahel Wells on the Book of Joshua. We hope you can join us on October 4 at 4:00 PM in the Pioneer Youth Chapel. For further information contact Melchizedek Ponniah, 269-876-7476, melponniah@gmail.com.

Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church

You are invited to the last a hymn-sing for 2025 at The Old Rugged Cross Church on September 20, Sabbath, 4:00 - 5:15 PM. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located at 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047.  Please bring your Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. A free will offering will help to maintain this historic church where the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross,” was introduced to the public by the composer. For further information, please contact Melchizedek Ponniah, melponniah@gmail.com, or 269-876-7476.

Howard Center Presents: Heritage Singers

Heritage Singers October 4, 2025, 8:00 PM. $30 Reserved, $20 Students, $10 Children < 5yrs Heritage Singers is a non-profit gospel music ministry based in California with a goal to bring people closer to Jesus by praising Him through music. When founders Max and Lucy Mace began this ministry, they never thought they would still be doing this 54 years later. Heritage Singers has had the opportunity to travel to over 80 different countries, travel over two million miles, and perform over 7,500 concerts. Max Mace believed that “If there ever was a time to share the Good News about Jesus, it’s now.” 

Micro-tour of renovated pipes
Seminary Chapel

This coming Sabbath, there will be the opportunity to view some of the newly installed pipes and insulation. The micro-tours start at the double doors that lead to the central hallway under the church in the downstairs Welcome Center. The tours will last about 5-10 minutes and will begin immediately after first and second service. The tours will end 30 minutes after each service. Most of the new piping will be hidden by ceiling tiles and behind closed doors so this may be your only chance to see what all the fuss and expense is about. See you there!

Music in Worship at Pioneer

We would like to invite all members to answer two questions survey regarding music in the Worship service. If you would like to be more involved in music at Pioneer you can also note how you would like to be involved so we can contact you.

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