Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

Mission Activities

You will have to allow me some freedom in this issue of the “News.” Having just returned yesterday from sixteen days in the United Kingdom, I find it almost impossible to think about anything else. What a privilege and opportunity Rev. A. Spriensma and I had to visit first in South Wales and then in Northern Ireland with the congregation of the Covenant PRC in NI.

In each place I was humbled by their devotion, commitment, and knowledge of the Reformed faith. God is indeed prospering the work of our missionary, Rev. R. Hanko, in that part of His kingdom. In addition to making many new friends in the Lord, we also had ample opportunity to see some of the sights and sample some of the local dishes. I returned with an acquired taste for strong tea and scones, and an appreciation for driving on the left side of the road and for round-abouts.

Rev. Spriensma was able to lecture three times in Wales and preach twice on the Lord’s Day. He was also given the privilege of preaching once on the Sunday we were in Northern Ireland. In addition, we spent every evening at the home of different families in Wales and NI getting to know them better. We also had time to spend with Rev. R. Hanko and his family encouraging them in their work, and to conduct church visitation with the council of Covenant PRC in NI. Two weeks is not a long time, but it was long enough to indicate to us that God certainly has His people there, and that there is indeed much work for our churches to do there.

In news from Ghana we learn that our missionary, Rev. R. Moore, is preparing to bring to our Foreign Mission Committee and to Hull’s council in late November a proposal concerning property for worship. He believes that it will be necessary to obtain a place outside of the home where they can meet as a mission and can work towards the goal of forming a congregation.

A joint delegation from the council of the Southwest PRC in Grandville, MI and our Domestic Mission Committee, consisting of Rev. R. Cammenga, Rev. J. Slopsema, elder Don Doezema, and deacon Bern Zandstra were in Pittsburgh the weekend of November 14 to meet with our home missionary, Rev. J. Mahtani, and the group there.

Rev. C. Terpstra and elder Dave Moelker were in Spokane, WA for the Domestic Mission Committee’s annual visit with our missionary, Rev. T. Miersma, as well as with members of the Sovereign Grace Reformed Church, the group among whom our missionary is laboring.

Congregation Activities

Back in September the congregation of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA voted to accept a bid from a local construction company to build an addition to their parsonage. This construction should begin right after the first of the year, the Lord willing. They also approved buying additional chairs for their worship services. Most services, both morning and evening, are full, so these chairs will be a welcome addition.

The congregation of the First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI approved plans to do some needed repairs on their roof and to waterproof some brick. However, they tabled a proposal to expand their narthex, replace carpet, and make some landscaping changes until later.

Saturday, November 6, the congregation of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI met formally to dedicate their sanctuary to the worship of our Heavenly Father. Rev. R. VanOverloop, their pastor, addressed the congregation from God’s Word found in I Peter 2:4-5, reminding them that their building is a picture of the spiritual house of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that as lively stones we reflect the beauty and glory of God. We rejoice with the Georgetown congregation in this evidence of God’s goodness. And we use the occasion to remind ourselves that the dedication of any church sanctuary means nothing without first the dedication of ourselves to God. May God give us the grace to re-dedicate ourselves continually.

Denomination Activities

Professor D. Engelsma was the guest lecturer at a Reformation Day public lecture sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Woodville, MS. Prof. Engelsma spoke on the subject, “Justification by Faith Alone.” He was also welcomed to the pulpit of Woodville the following Lord’s Day, where he was able to preach twice, on Romans 8 and Galatians 2.

The Ladies’ League of the Iowa and Minnesota churches held their annual Fall League Meeting on November 9 in the Hull, IA PRC. Rev. D. Kleyn, pastor of the Edgerton, MN PRC, spoke on the topic, “The Child of God’s Approach to Y2K.”

Evangelism Activities

November 5 Rev. R. Miersma, pastor of the Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB, Canada, spoke at a Reformation Day lecture sponsored by their Evangelism Committee. He spoke on the subject, “The Authority of Scripture.”

Minister Activities

Rev. W. Bruinsma, pastor of the Kalamazoo, MI PRC, continues to consider the call to serve as pastor of the Hull, IA PRC.