Out of His deep love for humanity, God changes our lives and asks us to move His love into our community and world. We are uniquely positioned at Andrews University to share the story of God’s love from the residence halls to the farthest parts of the earth. We accomplish our mission by engaging people across generations to be disciples of Jesus through the process of Connect. Grow. Serve. Go.
Pioneer Media supports the local ministry needs related to classroom and teaching technology. It also creates content for and manages Pioneer's online presence and produces our broadcast television program.
We have volunteer teams that help you to serve the church and the neighborhood in a variety of ways. The best place to serve is where you’re using your God-given gifts, talents, and passions the most.
Your financial gift helps support ministry here at Pioneer. From local to global ministry, keeping our facility safe and clean, to outreach and family growth activities, it all provides a space to worship, learn, and grow together. We invite you to Give Purposefully, Give Faithfully, and Give Joyfully.
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.
"How to Survive the Coming Economic Crisis:
He Is Risen—Breaking the Chains of Financial Bondage" www.newperceptions.tv
» The Story
• Luke 24:1-8
» The Stats
• At the end of last year million Americans had a credit card(s).
• The average credit-card debt per borrower is $—up about 7.5 percent from 2015.
• If you paid only the minimum payments on a $5000 credit card debt, you would be in debt for more than years and end up paying $ in interest based on national averages.
• According to a NerdWallet study, the average American household has more than $ in credit card debt.
• Millennials (18-34) carry around $ in debt (student loans, credit cards, mortgages).
• Total student debt now exceeds $ .
• Thus % of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck.
• More than have less than $1000 reserved for emergency purposes.
• According to USA Today some million Americans—or 16% of the adults—think they will miss at least one credit card due date in 2019.
• "'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of , be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (Luke 24:8)
• Isaiah 53:6—"And the LORD has laid on Him the of us all."
• 2 Corinthians 5:21—"God made Him who had no sin to be for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
• He died a Debtor, so that we might live free.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9—"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was , yet for your sake He became , so that you through His poverty might become ."
» The Steps
• Jesus: "Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
• #1—Perform what Dave Ramsey calls a " ."
• www.thriventcu.com offers this practical counsel: (1) Do not use debt (credit cards) to buy short-term consumer goods, such as clothing, entertainment or electronics; (2) avoid debt over items with a short life span and little resale value; and (3) avoid debt which comes with a very high interest rate.
• Dave Ramsey: "There is NO positive side to credit card use. You will spend more if you use credit cards instead of cash. If you 'have to' use plastic, I suggest a debit card. I use them for travel and the occasional convenience of ordering something over the Internet or phone. Other than that, I use ." (www.daveramsey.com)
• #2—Always pay more than the .
• #3—Pay off your credit cards beginning with the lowest in order to experience success as soon as possible.
• #4—Reduce the rate.
• #5—Beware of debt settlement companies.
• #6— to somebody.
• James Scurlock: "Maybe it’s because of what Dave Ramsey calls the intense that everybody feels about debt—the false certainty that everyone else has got it together. Or maybe it's what Bob, the Debtors Anonymous member I interviewed, told me: debt is simply not a socially acceptable topic; one can talk about one's sex life or even one's drug addiction as though it were fashionable, but owning up to one's financial troubles means being ostracized from the world of polite conversation." (Maxed Out 123)
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (800-388-2227)
• #7—When you make God . . . He will make it .
• Malachi 3:10-12
Make God First
Offering for July 27, 2024
Michigan Advance Partners
One of the greatest and most significant challenges hindering the advancement of Adventist Education's mission is financial.
A growing percentage of our students require financial support, placing increasing financial pressure on our schools and churches. The Christian Education Scholarship Endowment Fund plays a crucial role in mitigating this challenge, but its current size is insufficient to address the collective problem. This endowment ensures that the funds placed within it remain intact in perpetuity.
In other words, the principle amount is never touched, but the annual earnings are used to provide scholarships for elementary, secondary, and college students. We are grateful that we can currently distribute approximately $100,000 per year to students, making a meaningful impact in the lives of students across this Conference.
If you are inclined and impressed to contribute to this fund, you can specify Michigan Advance Partners on your tithe envelope, donate online or give a loose offering today.
By Heather Thompson Day
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
AU Sabbath Vespers - Class of 2024
You are invited to join the Andrews University Summer 2024 graduates and their families as we close the Sabbath with music and appreciation at the Howard Performing Arts Center on August 3 at 8 PM.
Requesting Donations of Used Pathfinder Uniforms for Cuba
Cuba seeks help for their Pathfinder Clubs and is asking donations of used formal Pathfinder uniforms by 7/27. Donations can be made to PMC Pathfinder Director, Errol Prentice (email: errol.prentice@pmchurch.org; 269-277-4256). He will take them to Gillette and put them into the shipping container heading to Cuba.
Memorial Service for Linda Thompson
Please join us in celebrating the life of Linda Sherwin Thompson on Sunday, August 4, at 4 PM in the Pioneer Memorial Church sanctuary. Live-streaming will be available for those unable to attend in person.
Family Life Encounter: Summer Challenge
Join us for the Family Life Encounter: Summer Challenge, a Choose Your Own Adventure style activity and reading challenge designed to help strengthen our relationships with each other and God. Text "Challenge" to 269-281-2345 to download the challenge handout.
Turn in your challenge handout at the Pioneer reception desk when it is completed to be entered into prize drawings! For more information, contact simplestirrings@yahoo.com.
Annual Backpacks for Berrien "Stuff-the-Bus"
It is time again for our annual Backpacks for Berrien "Stuff-the-bus." Help ensure students come to school this fall with the tools needed to learn. Get the supplies needed for success and deliver them to the bus, July 26 at Apple Valley parking lot from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. For a list of items needed check out our website: backpacks4berrien.org.
Pioneer Memorial Church Announces New Pastor for Administration
Pioneer Memorial Church is delighted to announce the selection of K. Hans Miranda Chavez as the new Pastor for Administration starting July 1, 2024.
Pastor Hans Miranda Chávez was born in Chiclayo, Peru, and moved to the U.S. at the age of six, where he grew up in Massachusetts. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2011 to 2015, he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2019. In 2023, Hans married Cassidy, who played an influential role in guiding him towards pastoral ministries. Now, Hans is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree, and his wife, Cassidy Miranda Chávez, is the Marketing and Communications Director at the Center for Youth Evangelism and volunteers with the Pioneer Media Ministry.
Hans and Cassidy are eager to serve the Pioneer Memorial Church community and be part of the church family in this new role. Let's extend our warmest welcome and support them in this new step!
Changes to ADRA Giving Options
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist have decided to simplify the number of donation options. Historically, a significant number of options have been available when giving to ADRA allowing donors to specify a specific project or program. Going forward all currently existing ADRA donations will be consolidated into 5 major categories.
ADRA Health Programs
Poor health is often at the heart of poverty and suffering. Giving to the ADRA Health fund helps build healthier lives for those we serve by improving access to safe water sources, providing hygiene and sanitation solutions, helping families access nourishing food, supporting pregnant women and mothers, and delivering reliable health support.
ADRA Education Programs
Education for all helps safeguard against chronic poverty, violence, abuse, exploitation, and even reduces vulnerability to natural disasters. The ADRA Education fund will help remove obstacles to learning by providing access to primary, secondary, and tertiary education, delivering school supplies, uniforms, and other resources, teaching adult literacy classes, and providing technical and vocational education.
ADRA Livelihood Programs
Livelihood training is a key contributor to breaking the cycle of poverty. The ADRA Livelihoods fund will help end generational poverty by empowering savings and loan groups in vulnerable communities, preparing communities for climate resiliency, training farmers to improve their methods, and empowering women to become business leaders in their communities.
ADRA Emergency Response and Preparedness
When disaster strikes, those whose lives are the most at risk are often furthest from help. Every year, ADRA responds to more than 100 emergencies around the world: earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, civil strife, and more. Contributions to the ADRA Emergency Response and Preparedness fund will help support a global network of offices and partners to quickly mobilize resources and bring relief to the hardest-hit areas.
ADRA General Fund
ADRA, the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church delivers relief and development assistance to individuals in more than 120 countries. Gifts to ADRA will provide families with emergency aid in times of crisis or natural disaster and longer-term, sustainable assistance to people battling chronic hunger, homelessness, and other life-threatening challenges, so they can live as God intended.
Pioneer Spiritual Life Survey
This quick survey will give our church leadership team a better understanding of how to lead our church. All responses are anonymous and every precaution will be taken with the data.
Healing The Mind by Timothy R. Jennings, MD Have you ever been hurt, lonely, depressed, frightened and hopeless? Or maybe you have found yourself feeling helpless, that gut wrenching helplessness when someone you care about is hurting, distressed and on the verge of giving up and you don’t know how to help them. Did you wish you had something to give them, something that would help? Healing the Mind is six of Dr. Jennings' most important lectures, recorded live during a 2-day seminar. The material is based on his book, "Could It Be This Simple”. The Six lecture topics are:
June 22- The Mind: God's Design. What Went Wrong?
June 29- God's Principle: The Law of Love and Liberty
July 6- The Fix for Failing Families
July 13- Demolishing Satan's Strongholds
July 20- Depression: The Brain-Body Connection
July 27- Forgiveness: Seven Common Myths (+ Q&A)
Everyone is Welcome Sabbath mornings from 10:30-11:30 in PMC room 141.
