Dwight Nelson gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Dr. Dwight K. Nelson
Dr. Dwight K. Nelson
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — In a definite first for Adventist evangelists, Dr. Dwight K. Nelson is to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Andrews University-based Senior Pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church will take his place among over 2500 honorees who have been awarded stars by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce over the years.

While he is not the first evangelist to receive a star (Billy Graham was given a star in 1989), it is highly unusual for personalities outside of mainstream entertainment to be added to the Walk of Fame. An average of 200 names are nominated by fans each year with the chamber choosing about 20 to be added to the star walk.

“There are a lot of Adventists in Southern California and it looks like they were able to make a compelling case for Pastor Dwight,” said La Sierra Professor of Mass Communications Brenda Perry. “To be fair, the man has pastored the most influential church in Adventism since 1986 and hosted Net ’98, our most ambitious international evangelistic series to date. Nobody can touch him when it comes to sheer reach.”

Some Adventists have expressed dismay at the news. “Why we are stooping to tar one of our most beloved speakers with the brush of Hollywood celebrity is beyond me,” said Matilda Teerfule of Boring, Ore. “We should be above these kinds of stunts.”

Others see the star as a fitting recognition for one of the church’s most effective communicators. “Pastor Dwight humanizes Adventism,” said Andrews Communications Professor Julio Suarez.  “He has been able to reach millions of people over the years with a smiling, relatable brand of Adventism.  He has helped shed our public image which has often been tied up in doomsday religion and scary beast pictures.”

Although Nelson himself is said to still be processing the news, he was asked to comment on the news in the parking lot of Pioneer Memorial Church this morning. “Someone should nominate Doug,” is all he had to say.


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2 Comments

  1. Richard Mills

    I’m gonna be in the LA/Hollywood area on May 2 & 3. We gonna check out the sidewalk for hand prints or footprints. If they ain’t there, you will be wearing cement shoes. Woe is me!!

  2. Don’t worry, Matilda Teerfule of Boring, Oregon, you need not shed too many tears over the “tarring” of our most beloved speaker. Just read the disclaimer at the top of every page: “Adventist satire and humor.” And on the “About” page: “BarelyAdventist is a satire and humor blog on Adventist culture and issues.”

    “Please note that this story, like others on this site, is a joke. All characters and incidents appearing in this ‘report,’ including any comments thereupon, are fictitious or parodied. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead (or incidents, past or future) is purely coincidental and/or is solely for purposes of parody, satire, irony, caricature, or comedy. If you do not find these stories funny, please see your doctor to check your sense of humor (or maybe he should check your pulse). After all, laughter is the best medicine.”

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