Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Barry Wilson after 35 remarkable years of service with the fire department, including his dedicated tenure as liaison to Andrews University. A retirement party will be held in his honor on Sunday, May 31, 1:00 PM at the Berrien Springs Oranoko Fire Dept.
A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement
Bringing Down the Strongholds: 'So I Am Sending You'
Resources
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight 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
Saturday, March 20, 2021
More In This Series
Opening Music
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" • Spiritual / Robert Powell" • Johannes Brahms
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome & Call to Worship
John Glass, Associate Pastor
"Praying for You": A Hymn Cycle
"O Zion, Haste"—SDAH 365, st.1-2 • "Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus!"—SDAH 618, st. 1 & 3 • "Soldiers of Christ, Arise!"—SDAH 616, st. 1 & 3 • "For You I Am Praying"—SDAH. 284, st. 1-2 • "I Would Be Like Jesus", no. 492, st. 1 & refr. 2x
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir; Brenton Offenback, director; Kenneth Logan, organ
Congregational Prayer
Ingrid Slikkers, Assistant Professor, Andrews University
Pioneer Life
Towett Shiow, Kayleigh Staniscewski, baptisms
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Sherri Uhrig, NAD; Gianna, prayer
Scripture Reading
Jerianna Horton, Member
Worship in Music
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" • Howard Helvey
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir; Brenton Offenback, director; James North, Jr.. piano
Message
"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Bringing Down the Strongholds: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Connect Card
Closing Hymn
"For You I Am Praying"—SDAH 284, st. 1, 4
Benediction
John Glass, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" • Max Reger
Kenneth Logan, organ
Opening Music
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" • Spiritual / Robert Powell" • Johannes Brahms
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome & Call to Worship
John Glass, Associate Pastor
Worship in Music
"There Is a Balm in Gilead" • Howard Helvey
Pioneer Sanctuary Choir; Brenton Offenback, director; James North, Jr.. piano
Congregational Prayer
Ingrid Slikkers, Assistant Professor, Andrews University
Pioneer Life
Baptism of Genesis Dayana de Dios Rodriguez with Venancio de Dios Morales, Pastor
Welcome to Membership
Ben Martin, Associate Pastor
Praise
"Friend of God"
Leo Aguilera, praise leader; Jaden Leiterman, Sydney Reeves, Maia Hamstra, vocals; Arnaldo Contreras, piano; Caleb Braswell, keyboard; Lucas Aguiar, electric guitar; Andrès Weiss-Segui, electric bass; Alex Aguilera, cajon
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Sherri Uhrig, NAD; Gianna, prayer
Praise
"Testify to Love"
Scripture Reading
Ephesians 6:10-13, 18 NIV
Leo Aguilera, Student
Praise
"Everlasting God"
Message
"A 20:21 Mission for a 2021 Movement: Bringing Down the Strongholds: 'So I Am Sending You'"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Connect Card
Closing Song
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus / For You I Am Praying"
Benediction
John Glass, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" • Max Reger
Kenneth Logan, organ
Wilson Retirement
Andrews Academy’s Graduation Weekend Events
Congratulations, Andrews Academy seniors! May the same Lord who got you here lead you into the uncharted adventure ahead! “I am with you always,” is His promise. Everyone is invited to attend graduation weekend events. Class Night May 21, 7:00 PM at Andrews Academy, Consecration May 22, 8:00 PM at Village SDA Church, Baccalaureate May 23, 11:45 AM at PMC, Commencement May 24, 11:00 at PMC.
Hymnsing at The Old Rugged Cross Church
You are invited to a Hymnsing on 23 May, 4:00 PM at The Old Rugged Cross Church, 61041 Vermont Street, Pokagon, MI 49047. Please bring your Seventh-Day Adventist Hymnal. For further information, contact Melchizedek Ponniah at 269-876-7476 or melponniah@gmail.com.
Offering for May 16, 2026
Pioneer Operating Budget
Our churches should be sanctuaries, places of safety, not only in their physical structure but also in their psychological and spiritual atmosphere. Every person who enters, whether a regular attendee or a visitor, should feel genuinely welcomed and valued. We must be careful not to judge or criticize others based on appearances or perceived shortcomings. The church is not a place for the perfect—it is a hospital for sinners in need of healing and grace. Kathryn Davis, host of the Magnify podcast and seminary teacher, reminds us that “hiding our imperfections or harshly judging ourselves or others for those imperfections can be [harmful] to our mental health.”1
Jesus Himself faced criticism for spending time with sinners. His response was clear: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17, NIV).
As a church, our mission is to reflect Christ’s love and create a space where people can grow in faith without fear of rejection. Jesus was patient and kind, while Satan, the “accuser of the brethren,” seeks to bring shame and make us feel unworthy. Yet, Jesus reassures us, just as He did the woman condemned by the Pharisees: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no
more” (John 8:11, NKJV).
As we return our offerings today, let us also recommit to supporting a church that embodies Christ’s love—a safe and welcoming home for all.
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Something in Common Sabbath School
Join us for the “Love Like You Mean It” Series! Sessions will be held in the Pioneer Commons each Sabbath morning from 10:30 to 11:30. Everyone is welcome!
- May 23: Session Seven - Love is Virtuous
- May 30: Session Eight - Love is Honest
- June 6: Session Nine - Love is Tenacious
- June 13: Session Ten - Love Never Fails