Trivia question

Is which state of our country will this summer’s Young People’s Convention be held? Answer later in this article. Speaking of the convention brings another question: In what year was the first Young People’s Convention held? Evangelism activities Edgerton, MN PRC recently sponsored a lecture by their pastor, Rev. M. De Boer. This speech was entitled “What It Means to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy,” and all from the surrounding area were invited to come.

Congregational activities

Hull PRC hosted the annual Spring Ladies League meeting on Thursday, April 26. Rev. James Laning spoke on the topic “Communing as a People.” Women of all ages were encouraged to come for a time in God’s Word and Christian fellowship.

The PR Psalm Choir presented their annual concert at Hudsonville PRC on May 6.

Minister activities

Rev. A. Brummel preached his farewell sermon in Heritage, Sioux Falls on May 13. His installation as Calvary PRC’s new pastor took place on May 20.

After the acceptance of their pastor’s call to Calvary PRC (Rev. A. Brummel), the Council of Heritage PRC of Sioux Falls, SD formed the trio of Rev. E. Guichelaar, Rev. S. Key, and Candidate Jonathan Langerak. On April 29 the congregation of Heritage PRC extended a call to Candidate Langerak to be their next pastor, and on May 13 he announced his acceptance of this call. We rejoice with him and Heritage PRC, and pray for him as he prepares to enter the gospel ministry!

Mission activities

On April 29, missionary-pastor Daniel Kleyn preached for the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto, Bulacan. This was the second time our missionaries have preached there, as Rev. Daniel Holstege had also preached there on March 25. This is a church that desires to be Reformed and reforming. May God continue to bless our labors there and throughout the land of the Philippines!

Rev. Daniel Holstege and his family will take a furlough to the USA this summer. This will occur June 11-July 24, Lord willing, and Rev. Holstege will attend the meeting of the Synod of the PRCA during that time. The six-week furlough includes 3 weeks for vacation and 3 weeks for preaching, for attendance at Synod, and for mission-field presentations in our churches. Their tentative, busy itinerary is as follows: June 11-17, Grand Rapids; June 18-27, Randolph; June 27-July 1, Doon/Hull; July 2-15, Grand Rapids; July 16-23, Loveland, D.V.

Also attending Synod will be the first representative from the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (PRCP), as Rev. Leovino Trinidad, pastor in Maranatha PRC, will represent our sister denomination at synod this summer, D.V.

At the service on May 13 the Maranatha PRC celebrated its 35th anniversary as an organized church. Rev. Smit was scheduled to lead both services that day and to give an “anniversary message.” A meal was held after the service.

School activities

Covenant Christian School in Lynden, WA held their Grandparents Day in late April with the offer to all grandparents to “come back” to school. Then, on May 4 they held their Geography Fair with decorations, displays, costumes, and food samples from around the world, as well as adult participation activities! Sounds like fun, and I’m guessing a few people learned some new things in the process!

According to the bulletin of Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, the Genesis School PTA con ducted a highway clean-up fundraiser on Saturday, May 5. All participants were asked to meet at school at 9:00 a.m. to sign up and watch a short video presentation on possible safety issues while cleaning up along the highway. Gloves and safety vests were distributed at this time, and then they left to clean the highway ditches from Clive to Tees. Child-care was provided and lunch at Genesis followed when the work was completed.

Young people’s Activities

The first ever Doon Young People’s Car Challenge took place on April 25. Patterned after the Edmonton Car Rally, this event took participants to seven of the eight incorporated towns in Lyon County, Iowa. They included Alvord, Inwood, Lester, Rock Rapids, Larchwood, George, and Doon. A spirited competition between teams ended with the team led by Rev. J. Engelsma in the lead by one point! A good time was had by all, and refreshments were enjoyed in the church basement after the friendly competition. We may have to make this an annual event!

The Young Calvinists invited all young people and young adults to enjoy an evening of fellowship and spiritual growth at their recent “Talking Points” event! Many came to Hope PRC at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29 to hear Rev. A Lanning speak about “The Five Points” and how they relate to the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dordt and the lives of our young people today. Refreshments and fellowship followed.

The Wingham, Ontario Young People’s Society is hosting a dodgeball tournament on Saturday, June 2, at F.E. Madil Secondary School. They hoped to have 14 teams, each team consisting of 8 players aged high school or older. The proceeds of this tournament will go toward the cost of our young people attending this year’s Protestant Reformed Young People’s Convention.

Trivia answer

This summer’s Young People’s Convention (www.prcconvention.com) will be held in the great state of Minnesota! The dates are August 13-17 and the location is the Lake Geneva Christian Center of Alexandria, MN. The theme of the convention is “Guided by God” and the banquet theme is “Hawaiian Luau.” This event is hosted by the Siouxland area churches of the tri-state area of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Many of our young people are registered (registration has been closed) and are preparing to go! Hope to see you there! Oh, and the first convention was held August 2 and 3 of 1939!