The Student Movement staff shares reflections on Pastor Nelson’s retirement from Andrews. We wish him a happy farewell and hope that he is able to get the rest that he deserves!
Pastor Dwight was one of the first individuals that I met when I arrived on the Andrews Campus for pre-view week. He probably doesn’t remember me, but that moment stuck with me simply because he was so sincere and kind. Whenever I hear people talk about him, they only have positive things to say. I think this is a direct result of his genuine love of creating connections and fostering a welcoming environment.
Shania Watts (senior, music and English)
I remember hearing a Pastor Dwight sermon for the first time in my freshman year at Andrews University. It was titled, “Roommates, Bad Dates, and Soulmates.” It struck me how he was able to captivate his audience and really drive home his message. I’ve always enjoyed his streamlined approach to preaching—it’s easy to follow and touches the heart.
Alannah Tjhatra (senior, biochemistry)
Pastor Dwight has always embodied the values that Andrews puts forward as a community and I know that for many of my friends, his sermons had a very healing effect. I admire his presence as a public speaker who knows how to impart powerful messages without losing relatability with us. I remember every Saturday when I’m working at the radio station, I would turn on the PMC service and listen to his sermon which was a really calming way of starting the morning. I'll be really sad to see him move on from preaching here on campus.
Grace No (junior, English)
For years, my family would travel from Kalamazoo to Berrien Springs on Saturday morning to hear Pastor Dwight preach. I’ve always appreciated how aware of current events he is and how he finds ways to insert these relevant topics into sermons about ageless values. He speaks with energy and passion from the front and it’s going to be really sad to see him go.
Solana Campbell (junior, business management)
Pastor Dwight has certainly been an iconic member of the Andrews community for a long time. His sermons are always relevant and engaging, with this past Sabbath being a good example, as he brought out a baby sheep as a sermon illustration. He has earned some retirement rest.
Lily Burke (senior, anthropology, English, and Spanish)
I have really appreciated Pastor Dwight’s ability to reinvent himself over the years, maintaining freshness, passion, commitment, and his ability to work with staff to create a dynamic ministry team, including working to launch and support Harbor of Hope. Not to mention his strong support of women in ministry.
Scott Moncrieff, Faculty in Department of English
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.