Berrien Springs, MI – Pioneer Memorial Church (PMC) in Michigan has announced the selection of Shane Anderson as its new Lead Pastor. The Search Committee formally extended the invitation on March 22, 2023, marking a significant transition for this prominent Seventh-day Adventist congregation located on the campus of Andrews University. Anderson is set to become only the fifth lead pastor to serve Pioneer Memorial Church since its establishment in 1959, succeeding Dr. Dwight Nelson, who is retiring after four decades of impactful ministry.
Pastor Anderson brings a wealth of experience to Pioneer Church Michigan. For the past 19 years, he has served as the senior pastor of the New Market church in Virginia, which also functions as the campus church for Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA). His ministry experience also includes leading roles at the Forest Park church and Life House Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship in Washington State. This diverse background equips him with a broad understanding of church dynamics and community engagement, valuable assets for leading a congregation as diverse and influential as Pioneer Memorial Church Michigan.
His academic credentials further underscore his preparedness for this new role at Pioneer Church Michigan. Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Walla Walla University, followed by a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership, both from Andrews University Theological Seminary. His commitment to theological scholarship is also evident in his numerous publications in professional journals and Adventist publications. Notably, his book, How to Kill Adventist Education (And How to Give It a Fighting Chance!), has achieved international recognition, selling over 20,000 copies across English, Spanish, and Korean editions. This publication demonstrates his insightful approach to critical issues within the Adventist community and his proactive stance towards positive change.
Beyond his pastoral and academic achievements, Anderson has actively participated in various church-related committees and boards. He has served on executive committees for multiple local conferences, including the Potomac Conference, and contributed to the governance of diverse church and educational organizations. His extensive experience as a keynote speaker, seminar leader, and workshop presenter at camp meetings and professional conferences across the United States and internationally highlights his ability to connect with and inspire diverse audiences.
Anderson’s personal life is equally grounded in faith and service. He and his wife, Darlene, have been married for 28 years and have two daughters, Sierra and Ellie. Darlene, a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walla Walla University, has dedicated her professional life to serving as a school nurse at Shenandoah Valley Academy. Their daughter Sierra has followed in her mother’s footsteps, recently completing her nursing degree from Southern Adventist University and currently serving as a missionary nurse in Bolivia. Ellie, their younger daughter, is a student and senior class president at SVA, actively involved in the school orchestra and intramural sports. The Anderson family’s commitment to service and education resonates deeply with the values of Pioneer Memorial Church Michigan and Andrews University.
The Anderson family, including Shane, Ellie, Darlene, and Sierra, as they are introduced as the new lead pastor family for Pioneer Memorial Church Michigan.
Reflecting on his appointment, Anderson expressed enthusiasm for his new role at Pioneer Church Michigan. “For many years now, PMC has been one of the leading churches in our global Adventist community,” he stated. “God has worked mightily through this dynamic and diverse congregation, and I am excited to have been called to serve as its lead pastor! I am grateful to Dr. Dwight Nelson for his leadership over the last four decades. His work at PMC has been filled with passion and vigor, and it is an honor to succeed him in leadership. I am looking forward to getting to know the members of the Pioneer and Andrews family, and to discover the ways God has chosen for us to work together to achieve His goals.” His words acknowledge the legacy he inherits and his eagerness to collaborate with the congregation to shape the future of Pioneer Church Michigan.
Dr. Dwight Nelson also shared his support for the selection of Shane Anderson as his successor at Pioneer Church Michigan. “I am pleased to learn Shane Anderson has been selected as the incoming new lead pastor of our Pioneer Family,” Nelson commented. “We have prayed for God to guide the search process, and now Karen and I want to lend all the support we can to Pastor Shane and Darlene in order to facilitate Anderson’s transition to this campus congregation. Their 19 years as a pastoral couple of Shenandoah Valley Academy have prepared them for this new Kingdom assignment. And they will have, I know, the warm and prayerful support of Pioneer’s pastors, leaders, and members.” Nelson’s endorsement highlights the continuity and collaborative spirit within Pioneer Memorial Church Michigan.
The process of selecting a new lead pastor for Pioneer Memorial Church Michigan was a carefully considered and collaborative effort. Given PMC’s unique position as a Michigan Conference church located on the campus of Andrews University, a modified approach was adopted. Administrators from the Michigan Conference engaged with PMC elders and pastoral staff to outline a selection process that included an electronic survey of church elders and the formation of a Search Committee. This committee comprised representatives from the Michigan Conference, Andrews University, Lake Union Conference, General Conference, and PMC, ensuring broad stakeholder representation. Student representatives, coordinated through Andrews University chaplains and the PMC pastoral team, also provided valuable input, reflecting the diverse voices within the Pioneer Church Michigan community.
Under the chairmanship of Jim Micheff, president of the Michigan Conference, the Search Committee diligently worked for months, meeting monthly to pray and evaluate potential candidates. The committee considered numerous names, including many from within the Pioneer Church Michigan membership. After a thorough review and interview process, Shane Anderson emerged as the selected candidate. The official call was extended on March 22, 2023, following a meeting between the elders and the Andersons.
Jim Micheff praised the Search Committee’s dedication and the spirit of unity throughout the process at Pioneer Church Michigan. “What a joy it has been to work with the Search Committee,” Micheff remarked. “Throughout the process, there has been such a sweet spirit and shared desire for God to reveal His choice to serve as PMC’s lead pastor. Although there were many qualified and gifted candidates, we believe God led us to the Andersons. They seem uniquely matched for PMC, and we believe God has been preparing them for this time.” This sentiment underscores the prayerful and thoughtful approach taken in selecting the new lead pastor for Pioneer Memorial Church Michigan, setting the stage for a promising new chapter in the church’s history.
