All Articles For VanEgdom, Perry

Trivia question Will there be more trivia questions? Answer later in this column.   Sister-church activities From the bulletin of the CERC in Singapore: It has been three years and almost eight months to be exact, that our congregation has been without a minister of the Word of our own. Come tomorrow afternoon, we will meet to vote to extend a call to candidate Josiah Tan to be our own minister, DV. 9 Aug. is not just the country’s National Day, but it is also a day of significance in the history of CERC. …we covet your prayers that God...

Trivia question How many churches are included in Classis East of the PRCA? And how many in Classis West? Answer later in this column.   Minister activities Prof. R. Dykstra (PRCA Seminary) accepted the call from Byron Center PRC. He was installed on June 27 with Prof. B. Gritters leading the service. The inaugural sermon was preached in the evening, with a short program and refreshments following. Hudsonville PRC called Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC). Rev. Bruinsma was led to decline this call. Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC-Dyer, IN) declined the call from Wingham PRC. Kalamazoo PRC also called Rev....

Trivia question When Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD was organized in 2010 it became the first PR church in South Dakota in how many years? The only previous South Dakota PRC was located where? Answers later in this column and more trivia next time.   Minister activities Prof. R. Dykstra and his wife Carol returned to the USA in early May after serving the CERC of Singapore for five months. Rev. J. Smidstra and his wife Kelly traveled to Singapore in late April and he intends to fill the pulpit there into late August. Rev. C. Griess (First PRC...

Trivia question Which student did Synod 1960 examine and declare a candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC? Answer later in this column.   Minister activities Hudsonville PRC formed a new trio of Rev. C. Griess (First PRC—Grand Rapids, MI), Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC), and Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC—Spokane, WA). Rev. Griess received this call, declining it on April 18. Kalamazoo, MI PRC called Rev. R. VanOverloop. Wingham PRC called Rev. J. Smidstra (First PR Holland, MI). Rev. Smidstra declined this call. Byron Center PRC called Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC)....

Trivia question How many students were enrolled in the PRC seminary in September 1974? Find the answer later in this column. More trivia next time.   Minister activities Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph, WI) declined the call to Kalamazoo, MI PRC. Rev. J. Smidstra (First Holland, MI) received the call from Wingham PRC, declining it on March 21. Byron Center has formed a new trio consisting of Revs. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC), J. Engelsma (Doon PRC), and D. Holstege (missionary to the Philippines). On March 7 they voted to call Rev. Engelsma to be their next pastor. The Irish government had...

Trivia question In the year 2000, who labored as missionary to the British Isles? Find the answer in the “Glance Back” part of this issue.   Singles conference Save May 7-9 for another Adult Singles’ Conference! The Lord willing, there will be another three-day event in the Grand Rapids area for singles ages 25+. The weekend will include two speeches by Revs. R. Barnhill and W. Langerak, discussion groups, and several social activities. Plan to attend and be encouraged and edified by other like-minded singles!   Minister activities Remember Rev. J. Marcus in your prayers as he awaits a call...

Trivia question Two daughter churches have been born of Faith PRC in Jenison, MI. Do you know which churches they are? See the church profile section for the answer. Another trivia question: How many members make up the Foreign Mission Committee? In what location? Answer later in this column.   Minister activities The Council of Hudsonville PRC formed a new trio from which to call their next pastor: Revs. E. Guichelaar, J. Marcus, and J. Smidstra. On January 24 Rev. Smidstra received this call. The Consistory of Kalamazoo PRC formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs....

Sister-church activities From the bulletin of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship in Ireland: In 2020 we worshiped for a total of 23 Sundays at home. The first COVID-19 lockdown was from March 29 to June 28 (we returned to the hall on July 5 for fourteen Sundays). The second COVID-19 lockdown was from October 11 to November 29 (we returned to the hall on December 6 for three Sundays). The third COVID-19 lockdown began on December 26 and will continue until at least the end of January 2021. We are disappointed that the Irish government has made no allowances for even...

Trivia question Which of the PRCA churches was organized twice, the latter in 1983? See the church profile portion of this article for the answer. More trivia next time.   Minister activities Prof. R. Dykstra and his wife Carol arrived in Singapore on December 16. They were then required to be quarantined in a government-designated facility before taking up their work there face to face. The plan is to fill the pulpit of the CERC, our sister congregation, for about the first half of 2021. Rev. D. Holstege (PRC missionary to the Philippines) declined the call to Kalamazoo, MI PRC....

Trivia question Who was Grandville PRC’s first pastor? Answer to be found in the church profile. More trivia next time.   Sister-church activities From the bulletin of Provident PRC in the Philippines (November) we learn the following: Our church worship services have been canceled today due to the flooding of Provident Village caused by Typhoon Ulysses last week. The Lord’s Supper has been postponed and will be rescheduled when it is feasible to gather again in our sanctuary for worship. Our members are encouraged to remember the Sabbath day by watching the livestream, if they have an Internet connection, of...