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

Young Adult Activities

The “News” thanks Rev. R. Smit and a young lady who attended this retreat for providing the following summary for the readers of the SB.

The Young Adults of Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB, Canada hosted a retreat from June 25 to June 28 in Nordeg, Alberta. The theme of the retreat was “The Voice of God in Creation,” based on

Psalm 29.

Psalter number 404 served as the theme song. There were in attendance 24 young adults from at least 11 churches from our denomination and one young adult from New Zealand.

Two discussion groups were featured during the retreat. The first, led by Rev. J. Marcus, pastor of the First PRC of Edmonton, dealt with the subject, “Stewards of God’s Creation”; and the second, led by Rev. R. Smit, pastor of Immanuel PRC, looked at the subject of “Our Mission Fields and Young Adults.”

Rev. Marcus gave a speech on Monday night on the topic, “Creation in six 24-hour days, 6000 years ago: Scripture’s Indispensable Aid to Interpreting the Evidence of Creation.”

On Tuesday, the whole group traveled along the parkway in Banff National Park through the Canadian Rockies to Banff. Once there, the group took a gondola ride to the top of a mountain, which provided spectacular and breathtaking views of the city of Banff and surrounding mountains.

Rev. Smit gave a speech on Wednesday night on the topic, “The Voice of God in Creation: Earthly Words of Heavenly Realities.” Some of the other daytime activities included floor hockey (a Canadian favorite); hiking to nearby Siffleur Falls with Rev. Marcus; canoeing on Goldeye Lake; fly fishing with Rev. Smit on Goldeye Lake; quiet walks around Goldeye Lake to hear loons or spot deer; spotting Grizzly bears, elk, moose, mountain sheep, and other wildlife in Banff National Park; evening campfires; the polar bear swim challenge; trying to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning; and many other opportunities for discussions, fellowship, and fun. The accommodations were excellent, the food delicious, and the host young adults were truly hospitable. What a privilege it was as God’s children to witness and hear His voice in creation in the light of His Word and to have fellowship together with those of like precious faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evangelism Activities

The Evangelism Society of the Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids, MI invited members of the West Michigan churches, along with the neighborhood around Southeast, to a program the evening of July 18. Rev. A. Stewart, pastor of our sister church, Covenant PRC in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, along with Rev. A. Spriensma, pastor of the Kalamazoo, MI PRC, but before that, missionary pastor to the Berean PRC in the Philippines, presented information about those churches and the evangelism efforts that have been used there to help spur growth.

The members of the Evangelism Society of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI sponsored their annual Summer Singspiration at First Church Sunday evening, July 15. There was an hour of audience singing and vocal and instrumental special numbers. An offering was taken for the evangelism work at First.

The Reformed Witness Committee of Hope PRC in Walker, MI, hosted a summer class series on “The Biblical Teaching on Suffering.” These classes were held on four Tuesdays in July. Prof. H. Hanko led the classes. Topics talked about were: “The Biblical Idea of Suffering,” “The Doctrine of Suffering in the books of Job and Psalms,” and “The Purpose of Suffering (1 & 2).”

Congregation Activities

Rev. J. Mahtani, pastor of Bethel PRC in Roselle, IL, brought a group from Bethel to Grand Rapids on July 24 so they could attend the above-mentioned class on suffering that evening at Hope. Plans also called for the group to visit the new RFPA building, our seminary, and our Southwest PRC. The group planned to leave Bethel at noon and return home by midnight.

Through voting, the members of the proposed daughter congregation of the Hull, IA PRC (for the time being, designated Hull II by the “News”) have narrowed down the list of church names to the following three: Calvary, Emmanuel, or Zion PRC. July 22 one more ballot was cast to determine which of those names would be used if Classis West gave the group permission to organize.

The Men’s Society of the Loveland, CO PRC sponsored a twopart speech and discussion class this summer on the offices of elder and deacon. Rev. Doug Kuiper addressed the office of deacon on July 16, and Rev. W. Bruinsma the office of elder on July 30.

The council of Faith PRC in Jenison, MI granted permission to the core group to form a daughter congregation and to find a place for worship services. The group has decided to rent the music room at Heritage Christian School in Hudsonville. The first worship service is scheduled to be held there on September 9, the Lord willing.

The congregation of the Wingham, Ontario, Canada PRC was invited to a lecture by Prof. R. Cammenga on July 27. This lecture, sponsored by the Society for PR Education in Wingham, was entitled, “The Aim of Christian Education.”

Mission Activities

The dedication program of the new building in Pittsburgh, PA, being used by our Pittsburgh Mission Fellowship was held July 21. Rev. Bruinsma continued that dedication theme on the following Lord’s Day, preaching from I Peter 2:5 on the theme, “A Spiritual House for Spiritual Sacrifices.” The Lord willing, this will serve as a good effort to introduce our Pittsburgh Fellowship to people living, especially, in the immediate community of their newly purchased facility.

Minister Activities

Our Doon, IA PRC has extended a call to Rev. M DeVries, pastor of the Wingham, Ontario, PRC, to serve as missionary to the Philippines.

The congregation of the Edgerton, MN PRC voted to extend a call to Candidate C. Spronk to serve as missionary pastor to the Heritage PR Fellowship in Sioux Falls, SD.

We can also report that of the two calls Candidate Spronk was considering (one to Sioux Falls, the other to Peace PRC in Lansing, IL), Mr. Spronk has accepted the call from Peace, thus declining the call from Edgerton and Sioux Falls.