Young People’s Activities

The first ever Western Young People’s Retreat was held June 29-July 2 at a camp in Post Falls, Idaho under the sponsorship of the Young People’s Society of the Lynden, WA PRC and the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA. Young people from Lynden and Spokane, along with others from First PRC in Edmonton, AB, Canada; Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB, Canada; Hope PRC in Redlands, CA; and the Loveland, CO PRC met together for this retreat. The theme was, “Watching for Christ’s Coming,” with speeches by Rev. John Marcus and Rev. Ron Hanko. Rev. Rodney Kleyn prepared discussion group topics on listening to the preaching and on cell phone and Internet use. Since the retreat ended on a Saturday, many of those attending chose to stay in the area and worship with the congregation of Covenant of Grace in Spokane on Sunday and return home on Monday.

The Young Adult Society of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA hosted a Young Adults Retreat from July 4 to July 7. The theme of their retreat was, “God’s Will for Our Lives.” Rev. Dan Holstege was this year’s featured speaker, speaking July 4 on “Knowing God’s Will Concerning Our Temporal Sufferings.” Discussion topics were, “God’s Will for the End: Understanding Revelation,” and “God’s Will for You in His Covenant and Church (elders, deacons, mothers, fathers, etc…).” All these subjects were taken from and based on Psalm 143:8-10. We thank God for the blessings of fellowship in the body of Christ and pray that our young people and young adults may grow spiritually together.

Members of the First PRC in Holland, MI were invited to attend a pancake breakfast and car wash sponsored by their young people on Monday morning, July 4, with proceeds going toward the 2012 convention expenses.

The Council of the Providence PRC in Hudsonville, MI recently approved a recommendation they received to organize a young people’s society beginning this fall.

In late June a group of around 15 young people and 6 adult chaperones from the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI took part in a week-long service trip to help refurbish water-damaged homes in Hammond, IN.

In early June the young adults of the Calvary PRC in Hull, IA were invited to an afternoon of paint balling. Those invited included recent high school graduates. So…already in June, a “benefit” of graduating from high school.

Congregation Activities

Members of the Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD, along with others from nearby PR congregations, were invited to a day of fellowship on July 7 at Wild Water West in Sioux Falls. An all-day pass gave those attending unlimited access to go-carts, batting cages, mini-golf, bumper boats, water park, wave pool, and sand volleyball.

Members of Providence PRC in Hudsonville, MI enjoyed a canoe trip on the White River in Northern Michigan on Saturday, June 25. Knowing from personal experience, I can testify that a canoe trip during the summer means a wet ride down a river.

As Providence PRC continues to grow, as evidenced by their proposed addition of a young people’s society this fall, D.V., it is now necessary to have more chairs set up each Lord’s Day for their own members and to make visitors feel welcome. Beginning in late April, Providence began setting up at least 160 chairs in the Music Room at Heritage Christian School to meet those anticipated needs.

Sunday evening, June 26, the Calvary PRC in Hull, IA enjoyed a summer singspiration after their evening service. The program included a variety of music and singing of Psalms and hymns.

Mission Activities

Missionary pastor Rev. Richard Smit, his wife, Tricia, and their children left the Philippines on June 7 to begin their six-week furlough in Canada and the United States. They traveled first to Edmonton. On June 13 they were scheduled to travel to west Michigan. Their time in Northwest Iowa was set for July 6-12 and coincided with the church picnic of the Doon, IA PRC, the calling church. Then they were to travel on to Lynden, WA to visit with family, and on July 20 they planned to fly home to the Philippines. Along the way there were, by our count, at least seven public presentations of the work in the Philippines given, several opportunities to preach on the Lord’s Day, plus meetings with the Council of Doon and our denomination’s Foreign Mission Committee. Hopefully the Smit family did find some time in those six weeks for a little time to relax before they resume their labors on our behalf in Manila.

We also noted that a consistory meeting in the Berean PRC in Manila was canceled in June due to flooding—flooding due to the rainy season which began in May in the Philippines. Rev. Daniel Kleyn writes that “recent rainfall over a weekend came to just under 5 inches, and so far today (June 23) 4.5 inches….and it’s still raining.”

The seminary sent Mr. Eric Guichelaar, a third-year student, for a four-week summer assignment under Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma, to our mission work in Pittsburgh. Eric will shadow Rev. Bruinsma during this time and also speak a word of edification on the pulpit. This began July 8.

Minister Activities

The faculty of our seminary is pleased to announce that they have licensed third-year seminarian Eric Guichelaar to speak a word of edification in our churches. We rejoice in the goodness of God, who gives gifts of speaking to the seminary students and uses this means to train them for the gospel ministry.

Rev. Nathan Langerak declined the call he received to serve as the next pastor of the Hope PRC in Walker, MI.

Prof. David Engelsma declined the call extended to him from the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA to serve as their next pastor.

Rev. Arie den Hartog declined the call he was considering to serve as the next pastor of the Edgerton, MN PRC.