Mission Activities

In news from our mission in the Philippines, we recently learned that Rev. Richard Smit and Rev. Daniel Kleyn now preach once a month in the Tagalog language. The sermons are written, translated by a member of the church, and preached from the translation. The people really appreciate hearing the gospel in their own native tongue.

The Berean PRC in Manila scheduled a combined Men’s Bible Study meeting for Monday morning, February 22, a holiday in the metro Manila area, held at their regular meeting and worship location. Rev. Kleyn presented a speech centered on principles of Reformed church government, while Rev. Smit led an open-forum question-and-answer period later in the morning.

The Lord willing, the regular future schedule of Rev. Smit will be to preach each Lord’s Day for the congregation of the Berean PRC, while Rev. Kleyn will preach in the First Reformed Church on the first and fifth Lord’s Days of each month, in the All of Grace PR Fellowship on the second Lord’s Day of each month, and in the Christian Faith Ministry on the third Lord’s Day of each month. His pulpit supply will also be accompanied by lectures and catechism instruction on topics requested by each group.

We should also add here one more item of news from the Philippines. The Consistory of the Berean PRC advertised a little bit and received in response about 60 orders for video sets of the special conference by the PR Seminary on the Reformer John Calvin held last year. Each set includes seven lectures and one question-and-answer session, all on DVDs. These sets have been produced and have been distributed to all of the contacts who ordered them. May the Lord bless this effort and extend the witness of His truth in this way.

The Consistory of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA has decided to begin regular Bible studies with the members of the Tucson, AZ PR Fellowship. Rev. Martin Vander Wal, pastor at Hope, will lead these Bible studies, accompanied by another man willing to drive to Tucson. The studies will take place on Thursday evenings twice a month. Plans call for the men from Hope to leave mid-day on Thursday, returning to Redlands Friday morning.

With thanksgiving to God, the Edgerton, MNPRC, with the concurrence of the Domestic Mission Committee, brought a proposal for the organization of the Heritage PR Fellowship of Sioux Falls, South Dakota into an established church at the regularly scheduled Classis West meeting on March 3. We rejoice that the Lord has brought the Fellowship to this point in their three-year history.

Prof. and Mrs. Hanko spent several weeks in Singapore assisting our fellow saints in the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church. From there they headed to the Philippines to visit our missionaries there. They planned on being there the first week of March. Prof. Hanko also agreed to preach for the Berean PRC in both their worship services on March 7, D.V. On that Lord’s Day the Berean congregation planned a special merienda between services in order to enjoy a time of fellowship with the Hankos.

School Activities

All the School Society members and those planning on becoming members of the Genesis PR Christian School in Lacombe, AB, Canada were invited to become charter members of Genesis’ Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) at an organizational meeting scheduled for March 4. The meeting was held at Immanuel PRC. The agenda that first meeting called for approval of changes made to their original constitution, and election of officers. The results of current fund-raising efforts were also presented, and possible future fund-raising projects were also presented.

The Mothers’ Circle of Hope Christian School in Redlands, CA is currently working on a heritage photo album of all the graduates of Hope Christian School.

Young People’s Activities

The Young People’s Society of First PRC in Edmonton, AB, Canada invited the members of neighboring Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, along with their own congregation, to a “Dessert Evening” fund-raiser for this summer’s Young People’s Convention on February 19 at Edmonton PRC. Afterwards there was volleyball, scheduled to help burn excess calories consumed.

The young people of the Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids, MI invited the young people of the Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI to an evening of fellowship, games, and pizza on Saturday evening, February 20, at Eastside Christian School. The Young People’s Society of the Hudsonville, MI PRC met together for their monthly special meeting on Sunday evening, February 28. They spent an hour together discussing “Fasting and Prayer.”

Congregation Activities

The Fund-raisers of the Grandville, MI PRC hosted a Sunday Evening Musical Program on February 21. A collection was taken for lowering the cost of Grandville young people’s convention fees.

The Jr. Christian Fellowship of the Hudsonville, MI PRC invited the older members of their congregation to a night of fellowship, fun, and games on February 19 at Hudsonville. A light supper with dessert was also served.

Minister Activities

The congregation of First PRC in Holland, MI met together Sunday, February 28, and extended a call to Rev. James Laning to serve as their next pastor.

The Bethel PRC in Roselle, ILextended a call to Rev. Martin VanderWal to serve as their next pastor.

And Rev. Audred Spriensma, pastor of Kalamazoo PRC, accepted the call from Byron Center PRC.