Evangelism Activities

The Evangelism Committee of the Southwest PRC in Grandville, MI recently informed their congregation that they are now a member of the conservative website, sermonaudio.com. The committee uploads sermons to this website, which can be downloaded to any computer in the world. You will find a link to this website on Southwest’s home page: southwestprc.org.

The Evangelism Committee of the Calvary PRC in Hull, IA gave a brief presentation on sermonaudio.com during lunch after Calvary’s Bible Study on March 17. The congregation was invited to come to learn how to use or better utilize this website in their personal evangelism efforts.

The Kalamazoo, MI PRC hosted a Spring Lecture on March 18 at their church. Their pastor, Rev. M. DeVries, spoke on the topic, “O How Love I Thy Law.” This lecture helped explain the relevance and purpose of the law for those under grace, the relationship between law and grace, and the meaning of being under grace, and not under law. After the lecture there were refreshments and a question and answer period.

The Consistory of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI approved a proposal from their India Committee for a visit to the Reformed Fellowship in Vellore, India and Paul Raj, from March 10-22. Rev. C. Haak and Elder B. Jabaay, along with their wives, made the trip. Every other week a group that includes Rev. Haak, Rev. Woudenberg, and Rev. Kortering, visits with Paul Raj via Skype, giving instruction in the Reformed faith. The purpose of this face-to-face meeting was to assess the work of the mission and orphanage, give assistance in training future officebearers for the church, and help clarify the goals of Georgetown’s work with the believers there.

Sister-Church Activities

At the request of our denomination’s Contact Committee, and with the approval of the Council of the Covenant PRC in Ballymena, NI, Revs. McGeown and Stewart of the Limerick Ref. Fellowship and the Covenant PRC respectively, made a weeklong visit to Portugal, March 7-11. Their first speaking engagement was a mini-conference in the Barreiro Igreja Crista Presbiteriana do Portugal (ICPP) on March 8. Rev. McGeown spoke on “Sin, Man’s Problem,” followed by Rev. Stewart speaking on “Sovereign Grace, God’s Solution,” based onEphesians 2. Three evening lectures were also given at Portuguese Assembly of God churches in and around Lisbon: “God’s Magnifying His Word”—Rev. Stewart, in Barreico; “What Does It Mean to be Born Again?”—Rev. McGeown in Caseras; and “Grace not Works”—Rev. Stewart, in Lisbon.

Young People’s Activities

The young people of the Faith PRC in Jenison, MI enjoyed their third annual overnight retreat on Friday evening, March 18. This year, their pastor, Rev. A. Lanning, spoke to them on Proverbs 4:26: “Ponder the paths of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” After that, the young people had discussion groups on that topic. This retreat has been called “Friends Night Out” all three years, with Faith’s young people encouraged to invite friends from other churches. It seems they take this responsibility seriously, with this year’s total attendance around 80 young people. After discussion ends, the young people spend the rest of the overnight enjoying mixer games, dodge ball, basketball, and volleyball tournaments, pool tables, foosball, board games, and March Madness basketball for those who really care. They enjoy pizza and ice cream, pop and water, and cinnamon rolls and juice. All in all, the committee reports they eat a lot of food. This year’s retreat was held at Harderwyk Ministries, by Harderwyk CPR in Holland, MI. The building is specifically for young people, and is equipped with a gym, kitchen, and meeting rooms.

The Young People’s Society of the Randolph, WI PRC invited their congregation to lunch on Saturday, March 19. Soup and sandwiches were served from 11a.m.-2p.m., with cupcakes for dessert rounding out the menu.

The young people of the Crete, IL PRC enjoyed a Saturday afternoon at Xtreme Trampoline on March 12.

Mission Activities

A delegation of two elders, Ron Kuiper and Dick Kuiper, and two deacons, Steve Kamps and Scott Kooienga, from the Southwest PRC, made a visit to Pittsburgh, PA and the Fellowship there, the weekend of March 13, doing the work of oversight on behalf of Southwest’s Council of our denomination’s mission and missionary, Rev. Bruinsma. The delegates expected to do family visitation with two families and one individual of the mission, meet with Rev. Bruinsma and the Steering Committee, hear a confession of faith, and exercise oversight of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday.

In news from the Mission in the Berean PRC in Manila, the Philippines, we can report that the book Doctrine According to Godliness, by Rev. R. Hanko, has now been translated into Tagalog. Elder Rod Bongat and Brother Jun Villegas worked together on this project. They hope to have it published and available for sale soon.

School Activities

The PRCS/HCHS Spring Promotional Dinner was held March 11 at the Crete, IL PRC. This year’s annual dinner was special in that it celebrated the 50th and 10th anniversaries of the Protestant Reformed Christian School of Dyer, IN (formerly of South Holland, IL) and Heritage Christian High School. A cordial invitation was extended to all past alumni to attend.

Minister Activities

Rev. A. Lanning, of the Faith PRC in Jenison, MI, declined the call he received to serve as pastor of the Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI.

Rev. M. VanderWal, serving the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA, accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Wingham, ON, PRC.