Mr. Wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

Mission Activities

Pittsburgh, PA is a city built on steep hills, and when too much rain falls in a short period of time it can cause extensive property damage due partly to erosion. Such was the case this summer when our Pittsburgh Mission church and parsonage suffered major water damage, which required correction and reconstruction on two concrete and stone-block retaining walls that ran along the driveway of the house next to the church building. The week of September 14 the DMC sent a number of landscapers from the West Michigan area who donated their time and efforts to make those repairs. Some more work still needs to be done, but funds are available to complete the project. The efforts of these volunteers saved the mission much money, and their expertise should stand the mission in good stead for years to come.

Rev. Richard Smit, our denomination’s missionary to the Berean PRC in Manila, the Philippines, had the opportunity to speak at the Thursday evening Bible Study meeting of Pastor Andre’s flock in Batesan Hill on September 10. Rev. Smit was asked to speak on the topic, “What does it mean to be Protestant Reformed?” Another speech was planned for that same Bible study on October 22. This will be the next speech in a series that will attempt to answer the overall question, “What does it mean to be Protestant Reformed?” This speech will focus on the doctrinal heritage of the PR Churches. Rev. Daniel Kleyn, who will be visiting the mission about that time, planned to present that lecture. The future plan is to provide three more speeches addressing other aspects of the PR heritage (worship, church government, and daily life applications) in November, December, and January, the Lord willing.

Sister-Church Activities

On October 1, Rev. Angus Stewart, pastor of the Covenant PRC in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, gave a lecture on divorce and remarriage at Abbots Cross Congregational Church. A week earlier, September 24, Rev. Stewart spoke on the subject, “Guidance: How do I know God’s Will for my Life.” Rev. Stewart promised to look at questions like, What about buying a house, marrying, or getting a new job? Is it a matter of hearing God’s voice or receiving a sign? What does the Bible teach?

Evangelism Activities

he Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA invited their community, by word of mouth, radio, and flyers posted throughout the community, to a Seminar on “Biblical Principles for Personal Finances,” given by their pastor, Rev. Rodney Kleyn, on Friday evenings, October 2, 9, 16, and 23, D.V.

We can also report that Covenant began broadcasting their services live over the Internet at www.reformedspokane.org on September 27.

Congregation Activities

As part of their celebration of 55 years of existence as a congregation, the Kalamazoo, MI PRC sponsored a Community Open House on Saturday, September 26. Neighbors of Kalamazoo PRC were invited to come and have a look at the little church at the end of Green Acres St, say hi, enjoy lunch, and become better acquainted.

On September 15, Rev. Garrett Eriks, pastor of the Hudsonville, MI PRC, celebrated ten years in the ministry. To commemorate that event, the congregation of Hudsonville was invited to stay for coffee after their evening service on October 4 to thank their pastor and his wife personally for their faithful service to their congregation and denomination.

Members of our churches around the Chicago, IL area were invited to a concert by the Hope Heralds, a male chorus from the Grand Rapids, MI area PR churches, at the Cornerstone PRC, Dyer, IN on Sunday evening, September 20.

The members of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI were invited to their annual Fall Fellowship Dinner on September 22. Their pastor, Rev. James Slopsema, gave a ten-minute talk to encourage First in their Bible and catechism studies for the year. Everyone—older, younger, and in between, was encouraged to make an extra effort to come out for this time of fellowship with others in their church family.

Earlier this year we reported that the Providence PRC, currently meeting at Heritage Christian School in Hudsonville, MI, had plans to purchase property in the Bridelwood residential development in Jamestown Township, south of Hudsonville, for a possible future building site. At a public hearing on August 18, opposition to that possible purchase was overwhelming, as neighbors in Bridelwood expressed concerns over increased traffic, a parking lot, light pollution, and the developments’ change. Bridelwood has about 110 homes, and the acreage where Providence sought to build was in the last phase of that development. Then on September 21, with the results of the August public hearing still fresh in their minds, the Jamestown Planning Commission unanimously nixed the request to adjust development rules for the Bridelwood neighborhood. Doing so would have allowed Providence to build on that 8.5 acres. Consequently Providence has let the land go back to the seller, and they will continue looking at other options.

Denomination Activities

On September 24 the Reformed Free Publishing Association held their annual meeting. This year’s meeting was at the Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Rev. G. Eriks spoke on “Read Any Good Books? Reformed Books in the Reformed Home.”

The Senior Singles Fellowship met for dinner at the Hudsonville, MI PRC on September 24. Following the meal, Rev. Daniel Kleyn gave a presentation concerning the work that the PRC is doing in the Philippines and the preparations he is making to begin missionary work there.

School Activities

The Free Christian School in Edgerton, MN invited parents and teachers to its Fall PTA meeting on October 2. Rev. Allen Brummel spoke on the subject, “Diligence and Distraction.”

Minister Activities

Rev. Doug Kuiper received the call from the Bethel PRC in Roselle, IL to serve as their next pastor.

Rev. Thomas Miersma accepted the call to serve as pastor to the Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB, Canada.

Rev. James Slopsema declined the call he received to serve as the next pastor of Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI.

Rev. Carl Haak declined the calls he received from First in Holland, MI and Cornerstone PRC in Dyer, IN to become their next pastor.

Rev. Clayton Spronk also declined the call from the Byron Center, MI PRC to serve as their next pastor.