Thoughts for the times

They cried out, “Master, carest thou not that we perish? Jesus arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” Excerpt from “Peace in the Storm,” a meditation by Rev. A. Spriensma.

Trivia question

How many PRCA congregations were organized before Georgetown PRC? Answer in the church profile section of this article. More trivia next time.

Minister activities

Due to circumstances in Singapore and the request of Covenant ERC to hold off calling a minister-on-loan, the Council of Grandville, MI PRC has decided to withdraw the trio of Rev. G. Eriks, Rev. E. Guichelaar, and Rev. R. Kleyn for the time being.

First PRC in Edmonton, AB called Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph, WI). On May 31 he declined it.

Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN) announced a new trio from which to call a minister: Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC), and Rev. R. VanOverloop (Grace PRC). The congregation there called Rev. R. Kleyn to be their next pastor. On June 7 he declined this call.

Kalamazoo, MI PRC had formed a new trio consist­ing of Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC), Rev. S. Key (Loveland PRC), and Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC), and subsequently called Rev. C. Haak to be their next pastor. On June 14 he declined this call.

Rev. H. Bleyenberg and his wife remain in West Michigan awaiting permission to move to Lacombe, AB so he can take up his ministry in Immanuel PRC. We pray that the Lord will soon open that door for them. In the meantime he continues preparing pre-recorded sermons for them, and has completed long-distance catechism lessons.

Rev. John Marcus and his family left Edmonton in May to live in West Michigan, as he awaits a call within the PRC.

Our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, has begun writing short meditations for the PRC website (prca.org)—just for these present times and circumstances. Be sure to look them up and read them for your spiri­tual profit!

Young adult activities

Colorado Young Adult’s Retreat in the Rocky Mountains, August 3-6: Registration opened on May 25 and was quickly filled! Pastors Key and Guichelaar will speak on II Timothy 1:7, as the young adults learn to be “Brave and Bold in the Faith.”

Young people’s activities

Lynden and Spokane Young People’s Retreat is still planned for July 14-17, 2020, at Camp Sanders in Tensed, Idaho. The facility director thinks that the camp will be open and running by then. For registration information or other questions please contact Rev. Kleyn by email at r.kleyn@prca.org.

Seminary news

Seminarian Josiah Tan and his family stayed in Singapore during the time of his mother’s illness and death, which was also a time of lock-down here in the U.S. and there. He resumed and completed his classes on-line and assisted in ‘speaking a word of edification’ for his congregation (Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church). He returned in mid-June, so as to prepare for his seminary internship in First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) which began on July 1, D.V.