Minister Activities

Rev. Rodney Kleyn, pastor of the Covenant of Grace PRC located in Spokane, WA, announced on June 7 that God had led him to decline the call he was considering to be the second missionary to the Philippines. We rejoice with Rev. Kleyn that God has confirmed to him that his calling for now is to labor in the congregation at Spokane. Praise be to God for that clear revelation of His will! The Council of Doon PRC then announced a trio from which to call a missionary, which consisted of Rev. A Brummel (Heritage PRC, Sioux Falls, SD), Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville, MI PRC), and Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC, Hudsonville, MI). From this trio the Doon congregation extended a call to Rev. Allen Brummel on July 5. May God grant Rev. Brummel clearly to know His will concerning this call.

On June 14, 2015 the congregation at Peace PRC, Lansing, IL voted to extend a call to Rev. Brian Huizinga, Redlands, CA PRC to come over and help them as their next pastor. On June 28 God’s direction to Rev. Huizinga was manifest in his letter of decline. May God bless Rev. Huizinga in his continued labors, and bring to Peace PRC the man of His choosing soon.

Denominational Activities

The annual Synod of the PRCA met June 9-12 in Faith PRC, Jenison, MI. Seminarian Ryan Barnhill was examined, unanimously approved, and recommended as a candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. Candidate Barnhill was declared eligible to receive a call to one of the churches on July 11, 2015. We rejoice with the Barnhills, and in God’s goodness to the churches in supplying another servant to labor in His vineyard! The Barnhills plan to be in Lansing, IL for the summer so that candidate Barnhill can fill the pulpit of Peace PRC. Synod 2016 is scheduled to meet in Hull, IA, D.V.

Mission Activities

The Classis of the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines met June 12 in the PRC in Bulacan. This was the fourth meeting of the classis since the federation began in April 2014. Rev. John Flores led in opening devotions and the meeting was chaired by Rev. Vernon Ibe. The business of classis was mostly routine including reports of standing committees, church visitors, clerk, treasurer, etc. Classis adopted constitutions for Emeritus and Translation work and mandated its standing committee to initiate dialogue with the Contact Committee of the PRCA with a view to establishing a sister-church relationship. The next meeting of classis is scheduled for October 31 in the Berean PRC.

The annual Philippine delegation consisting of Jim Regnerus representing the Doon PRC council and Rev. Allen Brummel representing the FMC, along with their wives, departed Sioux Falls, SD on June 24. Their flights took them to Denver, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and finally Manila, totaling over 24 hours trip time.

By the grapevine we believe that one item included in their baggage was Oreo cookies. From experience one might speculate whether those cookies were reduced to crumbs, powder, or dust in the checked baggage? And an inquiring mind wants to know whether they were double bagged or if they infiltrated the other items in the luggage? Perhaps carrying them on the plane saved them… and possibly an Oreo tastes the same regardless of consistency?

The Brummels stayed with the Kleyns and the Regnerus’ in the Smit home while in Antipolo, though most of their time was spent together. On Monday, July 6, the delegation flew with the Kleyns to the island of Southern Negros Occidental to conduct a Bible study in Bacolod City and then drove the next day to the Sipalay area for the monthly pastor training class. The delegation was scheduled to return July 9.

The delegation joined in celebrating the 26th wedding anniversary of missionary pastor Rev. Daniel Kleyn and his wife Sharon on June 30.

Young People’s Activities

A Western Young People’s Retreat took place the first week of July at the Pend O’Reille Bible Camp in northeastern Washington State. 34 young people from Lacombe, Lynden, Spokane, and Loveland congregations attended. Speakers Rev. Ronald Hanko and seminarian David Noorman gave timely addresses related to the theme “God’s Guiding Hand,” about God’s will for our lives. Activities included discussion groups, an outing to Silverwood Theme Park in northern Idaho, time at the beach, and organized outdoor and indoor games. The event was such a splendid success that next year’s retreat is already being planned! Glad to hear that our western young people could spend time together in such an enjoyable way centering on God’s Word.

Congregational Activities

Rev. Garry Eriks, pastor of Hudsonville PRC, and his family moved out of their parsonage home for an anticipated four weeks so remodeling work could begin on June 22.

The congregation at Wingham, Ontario, Canada PRC celebrated Canada Day, July 1 with their annual ice cream social at the parsonage followed by fireworks in the park.

With thanksgiving to God Providence PRC, Hudsonville, MI announced on July 1 that they had purchased a church building on six acres at 1569 44th Street in Hudsonville. After almost eight years of meeting in Heritage Christian School gym and music room, the congregation planned to begin holding worship services in their newly purchased building, located a mile and a half south of Faith PRC, beginning July 5. We rejoice with our sister congregation and pray that this facility might serve the purposes of the congregation and allow for a visible witness to the area. May God be glorified in this building in the times to come!

School Activities

Various church bulletins made mention of the goal to secure cooked jams, jellies, and salsas to be sold at the Covenant Christian High School fall festival. An excellent idea! We are convinced that some Rock River Wild Plum jam has to make it there somehow. Nicknamed “Iowa Summertime in a Jar,” and not for sale anywhere in the world, the enchanting flavor of this variety has been known to dispel the winter doldrums single-handedly. Ah yes! August…the moon of ripening plums!

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:3.