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.
More In This Series
Opening Music
"Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow" • Louis Bourgeois / attr. Henry Purcell
Kenneth Logan, organ
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
John Glass, Associate Pastor
"Blessing": A Hymn Cycle
"Holy, Holy, Holy"—SDAH 73, st. 4 • "Come, Thou Fount"—SDAH 334, st. 1, 3 • "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"—100, st. 1, 3 then refrain only once • "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead us"—SDAH 545 st. 1, 3 • "The Lord Bless and Keep You"—SDAH 669
Kaija Perry, soprano, Andrews University student; Daniel Soochkoff-Cerna, viola, Andrews University student; Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Congregational Prayer
José Bourget & Christine Ramirez, Pioneer Members
Pioneer Life
Taurus Montgomery
Baby Dedication
Ayla Andressa Monteiro Soares presented by Alex Soares and Lenisa Soares with John Glass, Associate Pastor
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Jean Michel; Prayer: Asher
Scripture Reading
Jonathan Raveloharimisy, Pioneer Member
Worship in Music
"Bless This House" • May Brahe
Charles Reid, tenor
Message
"Marriage: The Pope and Same Sex Marriage"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Connect Card/Prayer
Closing Hymn
"There Is a Fountain" • 336
Closing Remarks/Benediction
John Glass, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
"Bless the Lord, O My Soul" • Charles Wood
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Opening Music
"Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow" • Louis Bourgeois / attr. Henry Purcell
Kenneth Logan, organ, Minister of Music
Welcome, Call to Worship & Prayer
John Glass, Associate Pastor
Praise
"Ancient of Days"
Vivian Raimundo, Shane Pierre, Rachel Rajarathinam, vocals; Jake Knowlton, piano; Jeremy Ahn, acoustic guitar; Solomon Kim, cajon
Pioneer Life
Taurus Montgomery, Harbor of Hope
Congregational Prayer
José Bourget & Christine Ramirez, Pioneer Members
Children's Story & Prayer
Story: Jean Michel; Prayer: Asher
Praise
"Divine Exchange"
Scripture Reading
Genesis 1:27-28, 31 NIV
Praise
"There Is A Cloud"
Message
"Marriage: The Pope and Same Sex Marriage"
Dwight K. Nelson, Lead Pastor
Connect Card/Prayer
Closing Hymn
"There Is a Fountain" • 336
Closing Remarks/Blessing
John Glass, Associate Pastor
Closing Music
Kenneth Logan, Minister of Music
What we experienced at the MORE+ Conference was a wonderful start. Reformation/Discipleship is the indispensable follow up to any such revival experience.
Come and fan the flames of revival.
On Wednesday, April 16 we begin a 7-Session Discipleship Journey using an interactive curriculum created with Pastor Don MacLafferty, participants will experience seven principles of discipleship in fresh ways.
We invite you to join us at Pioneer for an in-person evangelism training event from Friday, April 4, to Saturday, April 5. This is open to all Seventh-day Adventist churches in the North American Division. We encourage every member—pastors, teachers, young adults, and students—to participate. The event will feature keynote speaker Mark Finley. Additionally, there will be breakout sessions available in both English and Spanish. The King's Heralds will provide music during the Friday evening service, both Sabbath worship services, Sabbath afternoon, and the evening concert. Don’t miss this opportunity to be equipped and inspired for impactful evangelistic ministry as you prepare for Pentecost 2025!
Our Pioneer Youth Missions team has just returned from Beirut, Lebanon. Come to the mission vespers at 6:00 PM on Sabbath, April 5, to hear the testimonies, see the pictures and be inspired by what God is doing in the Middle East.
Pioneer Operating Budget
Jesus shared the parable of the talents to illustrate our relationship with Him and purpose in life. The three servants were each given talents according to their abilities. In the end, two were commended for investing their talents wisely, and one was not.
The parable teaches us that we need to use the talents we’ve been given to grow God’s kingdom and for God’s glory. We shouldn’t hide or neglect them. God rewards those who act in faith by investing what He has given. He gives us the responsibility to manage our time, talents, treasures, temple, and testimony.
What belongs to God? For time, it is one-seventh of our week; for talents, we must use them and double them; for our treasures, one-tenth; for our health, we must care for our bodies because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit; and for our testimony, we must tell the story of what God has done for us and how he is transforming us.
God has committed these things to us; how we invest them reveals whether we can be entrusted with eternal riches. By using and growing these talents, they develop in us Christ-like characters and He then multiplies what He gave to us.
Why not ask God to help us manage His gifts?
—North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Pioneer Women's Ministries invites you to join us for 10 days of devotionals leading up to Easter (April 11-20). Together, we will consider what various individuals present at Christ's arrest, trial, and crucifixion might have thought and experienced. If you would like to receive daily text teasers and emails with the full devotional insights, please text the word "CROSS" to 269.281.2345.
We are creating a master list of all Pioneer Sabbath schools. If you are a teacher/coordinator of a Sabbath School class that meets outside the sanctuary, please email your name, class location and meeting time to Melchizedek Ponniah at melponniah@gmail.com.
The Katinas have traveled the globe with the mission of hope and love at the heart of their vision. Who you are, where you’re from, what you believe, it does not matter. The love of Jesus Christ is a gift for us all. Through their music and their actions, the Katinas strive to embody this love. Please go to howard.andrews.edu to purchase your tickets.
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/.
Do you want to complete your Master Guide Program? If so, please consider joining the Master Guide Club that meets weekly on campus to help you complete the requirements.
For more information or to join, please visit cye.org/toolbox
