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

Denominational Activities

The Theological School of our churches opened its doors again this year on September 7 at Southwest PRC in Grandville, MI with its Seminary Convocation. Pray for our four professors and their important labors on behalf of our churches. The student body this year includes three special students, Mr. Mark Shand from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia, Brisbane congregation, and Mr. Paul Goh and Rev. Lau Chin Kwee, both from the Evangelical Reformed Churches in Singapore. Besides these three, Mr. Angus Stewart, from the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland, is now entering his third year in our seminary. The three men from our churches continue their studies for the ministry. They are Mr. William Langerak, in his first year, from the Hope PRC in Walker, MI, and in their second year, Mr. Rodney Kleyn, a member of the Southwest PRC, and Mr. David Overway, also a member of the Hope congregation.

In addition to an introduction of this year’s student body, the convocation also featured special music provided by the Hope Heralds and a timely address by Prof. H. Hanko based on Ezekiel 23:30, entitled, “Training Men for the Gap.”

Speaking about the seminary reminds me that, the Lord willing, Prof. and Mrs. H. Hanko planned to leave September 20 for six months of labor in Singapore, where they will be helping in the establishment of the ERCS Bible School. Let us remember them in our prayers as they are laboring overseas.

Congregational Activities

It’s not too unusual for weekly church events to be canceled by winter snowstorms, or spring tornadoes, but we may have a first in our churches when the regularly scheduled consistory meeting of the Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, NJ was postponed in September because of Hurricane Floyd.

The sanctuary of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI continues to near completion. Each bulletin from them now indicates progress being made on finishing touches on the inside, such as carpet and stained glass window installation. A Dedication Program Committee has been appointed by their Council, although no date has been set at the time of this writing. Their Building Committee has tentatively set October 17 as the first Sunday they could possibly use their building for services.

Our churches were blessed last month when, not one, but two young men were examined by their calling churches’ respective classes and installed and ordained into the office of pastor. What a wonderful evidence of God’s faithfulness to us, His people.

Pastor-elect Nathan Brummel was ordained into the ministry of the Word and sacraments on September 10. He becomes the first pastor of the Cornerstone PRC in Schererville, IN. His former pastor, Rev. A. Spriensma, preached the sermon; his brother-in-law, Rev. M. Dick, read the Ordination Form; and his brother, Rev. A. Brummel, gave the closing admonitions and prayer. You may also want to make a note that Cornerstone installed a new phone line in their parsonage. It can be used for church business and also as a fax line. The number is 219-864-9684. The Brummel’s personal phone is 219-865-1108.

About nine days later, Pastor-elect Garry Eriks was ordained into the ministry of the Word and sacraments at the Loveland, CO PRC. Rev. A. denHartog, pastor of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA, led the worship service on September 19. He preached a sermon based on II Timothy 4:1, 2, entitled, “The Minister’s Grand Calling.” Rev. Eriks became the seventh pastor of Loveland’s congregation. Loveland welcomed the Eriks with a grocery shower and a short program of welcome after the evening service on September 19.

In an effort to get their fall society season off to a good start, the congregation of the First PRC in Holland, MI traditionally holds an Inspirational Meeting before the society year begins. This year Rev. R. Cammenga was the featured speaker.

Evangelism Activities

From the bulletin of the Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, NJ we learn that Rev. M. VanderWal began leading a Bible Study every Monday night in New York City. This study began September 13 and will consider the book of Romans. Congregation members were also encouraged to attend.

Minister Activities

Rev. B. Gritters has declined the call he had been considering to serve as pastor of the Hull, IA PRC.