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

Minister Activities

We extend our congratulations to Rev. & Mrs. Allen Brummel on the occasion of the birth of a son, Darren Ray, born May 28. Darren weighed in at eight pounds fifteen ounces and joins a busy household including five brothers and one sister.

Rev. Michael DeVries declined the call he had been considering to serve as the next pastor of the Byron Center, MI PRC. Byron then called Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma, out of a trio that included also Rev. Dick, and Rev. Slopsema.

After Rev. Charles Terpstra declined the call that came to him from the Faith PRC in Jenison, MI, Faith formed a new trio consisting of Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma, Rev. James Slopsema, and Rev. Ronald VanOverloop. Rev. Slopsema was elected to receive the call.

Rev. VanOverloop declined the call he received from Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids, MI. Southeast’s new trio is Candidate William Langerak, Rev. James Slopsema, and Rev. Richard Smit.

The Hull, IA PRC, our de-nomination’s calling church for the mission work in Ghana, formed a new trio for calling a second missionary to that West African country: Rev. Barrett Gritters, Rev. James Laning, and Rev. Charles Terpstra. Rev. Terpstra was elected.

Our churches’ Theological School Committee presented to Synod 2003 the names of Revs. Ronald Cammenga, Barrett Gritters, and Steven Key as their recommended nominations for the call to the seminary, eventually replacing retiring Professor Robert Decker in the department of Practical Theology and New Testament Studies. Unlike a trio presented by a council to a congregation, synod has the right to change this list. Synod, however, approved the list, and out of it elected Rev. Gritters to receive the call, and Rev. Cammenga as an alternate, should Rev. Gritters be led to decline.

Mission Activities

In missionary furlough news, we found that three of our denomination’s missionaries, Rev. Wayne Bekkering (Ghana), Rev. Arie denHartog (Singapore), and Rev. Audred Spriensma (the Philippines) were all on furlough during the month of June. Obviously they all spent welcome time with their families and with their calling consistories and churches. They also hoped to visit synod when their fields of labor were being discussed.

The Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, N.J., along with Rev. Jaikishin Mahtani, our churches’ missionary to Pittsburgh, PA, have jointly decided to continue cooperative labors in the developing work in Allentown, PA. At this early stage, the detailed plans have yet to be approved by the Southwest PRC in Grandville, MI, the calling church for eastern home missions, and our churches’ Domestic Mission Committee.

Young Adult Activities

The congregation of Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, NJ is not only becoming busy with the work in Allentown, but their young adults just finished hosting a Spring Retreat May 24-30. I thank Laura Genovese for providing you and me with the following information about that retreat.

The Young Adults Retreat was held at Spruce Lake in the Pocano Mountains of Pennsylvania. Rev. Ronald Cammenga gave the first speech on “Learning What to Pray from the Psalms,” and Rev. Carl Haak gave the second speech on “Learning How to Pray—Right Attitude.” Rev. David Overway, pastor at Covenant, was also in attendance. There were 54 young adults who attended this year’s retreat. They spent two days touring New York City. Other activities at Spruce Lake included a challenge course, a volleyball tournament, organized team games, a hymn sing, hiking, and a bonfire. The retreat formally concluded with the Ascension Day service, but many young adults stayed through Friday and Saturday to continue touring the area. The young adults had a wonderful time and Covenant is already looking forward to the next retreat, which they hope, the Lord willing, to host in two more years.

Young People’s Activities

A special word of thanks is in order for the Sr. Young People of the Faith PRC in Jenison, MI for hosting their 4th annual Special Needs Program. What a beautiful and God-glorifying evening. Be assured that your efforts are greatly appreciated. The last verse of “Beatitudes of Friendship” from your program says it best: “You assure the struggling, the peculiar, and the unique that their God-given self is what makes them beautiful.”

Denomination Activities

The Ladies of the Edgerton, MN PRC invited the ladies from the Doon and Hull, IA PRCs to join them for the Spring Ladies League Meeting in late April. Rev. Daniel Kleyn, pastor at Edgerton, spoke from II Timothy 1:5 concerning Lois and Eunice, Timothy’s grandmother and mother.

First PRC of Holland, MI was the site of this year’s Sunday School Teachers Mass Meeting. This meeting was held May 15, and Don and Judi Doezema gave a slide-presentation on the Holy Land.

Congregation Activities

Members of the Doon, IA PRC, the calling church for Rev. and Mrs. Spriensma and their work in the Philippines, sent a care package to their son, SPC Andrew Spriensma, who is currently serving in the Persian Gulf area. A note of encouragement to Andrew was also suggested.

The choir of the Bethel PRC in Roselle, IL presented a program for their congregation on May 18.

The council of Bethel approved the recommendation of the Building Committee to remodel the first floor of their parsonage.

School Activities

The Eastside Christian School Promoters, in Grand Rapids, MI, sponsored a lecture at First PRC on May 15 on the topic, “How Did We Get the New Testament?” The speaker, Dr. Theodore P. Letis, defended the Authorized Version (KJV). Dr. Letis is director of the Institute for Renaissance and Reformation Studies.