Derrick Nelson, the featured Week of Spiritual Emphasis speaker, is the religious vice-president for the Andrews University Student Association (AUSA). Nelson is a religion/pre-dentistry major in his third year of studies at Andrews. With hopes of pursuing dentistry at Loma Linda University, he also plans to work in the mission field for several years after completing his education.

Born in Jamaica, Nelson currently lives in New Jersey and enjoys spending time with his friends, reading his Bible, working with others and engaging in any activities that allow others to meet Christ.

Nelson has been preaching since he was four-years-old which, he admits, he does not remember. It all started in Jamaica where he spoke for a Children’s Day at the White Hall Seventh-day Adventist Church. Fast forward to his college years and Nelson’s role as AUSA religious vice president keeps him busy organizing AUSA vespers, chapels at Pioneer Memorial Church (PMC), Weeks of Spiritual Emphasis and other campus religious activities.

“Derrick is very inspiring as an individual,” says Reena Dollente, AUSA sergeant-at-arms. “He always goes above and beyond and is a reliable, dedicated and genuine person.”
Nelson will be preaching Sabbath, Jan. 31, at Pioneer Memorial Church to conclude the AUSA Week of Spiritual Emphasis (WOSE). The week’s theme is “Waving the White Flag: Victory through Surrender.” The speakers will be Andrews University students.

*Monday, Wednesday and Friday class times have been adjusted to accommodate the meetings. An adjusted class schedule follows:
7:30 a.m. classes meet 7:20–8 a.m.
8:30 a.m. classes meet 8:10−8:50 a.m.
9:30 a.m. classes meet 9−9:40 a.m.
10:30 a.m. classes meet 9:50−10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. classes meet 10:40−11:20 a.m.
WOSE takes place from 11:30 a.m. −12:20 p.m.

The scheduled speakers are:
Monday 
Morning: Song of Meditation
Evening: Carlos Trimble
Tuesday
Morning: Unique Bolden
Evening: Philip Byrd
Wednesday
Morning: Jenner Becerra
Evening: Michael Taylor
Thursday
Morning: Katharina Buchner
Evening: Filip Milosavljevic
Friday
Morning: Brian Kim
Evening: Jessie López

*Morning meetings will be held in the PMC sanctuary beginning at 11:30 a.m. Evening meetings will be held in the Castlebuono Youth Chapel at Pioneer Memorial Church beginning at 7:45 p.m. Chapel credit is available to undergraduates during morning services.