Ben wigger is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

On October 3 and 4 the young people in the west Michigan area held a Fall Retreat at Crystal Springs Camp in Dowagiac, Michigan. The theme for this year’s Retreat was “Fighting the Good Fight of Faith.” Besides discussions centered around this worthwhile theme, there were other activities, including organized games, an outdoor pool, and canoeing. 

By now Rev. Bruinsma and his family have been back in Jamaica for almost a month. Rev. and Mrs. Bruinsma, along with their family, spent an enjoyable and perhaps very busy furlough of 5 weeks back home in the U.S. They arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the evening of August 11, and while here spent much time with family and friends. Rev. Bruinsma also had time to preach on several Lord’s Days in Faith Church in Jenison, First Church in Grand Rapids, and South Holland in Illinois. He was also able to acquaint some of us with a detailed account of his labors in Jamaica by means of a short speech and slide presentation on the churches that he has contact with in Jamaica. All of us would do well to remember Rev, Bruinsma and his family, as well as all our missionaries, daily in our prayers. We can only begin to imagine the difficult labors that these men of God face. And a letter or just a note to each of them once in a while would mean so much. 

A lot has happened to candidates Steve Key and Russ Dykstra since graduation from our Seminary in June. Both were extended calls and both accepted those calls. They were examined by Classis East and West in the first weeks of September. And both were installed shortly thereafter: Rev. Key in Southeast in Grand Rapids on September 18, and Rev. Dykstra in Doon, Iowa, on September 12. We thank the Lord that He has provided a place for them in His church. 

While these two men are beginning their labors as ministers in our churches, another has reached the end of his. We speak of Rev. George Lanting who was granted his emeritation (or retirement) at the Classis West meeting in September. Rev. Lanting was ordained October, 1953, and served as pastor in five different congregations during his 33 years in the ministry which ended in our church in Pella, Iowa. We extend to him our thanks for all the years he has given our churches, and pray that. God will bless him in the future. 

The Lecture Committee in the Grand Rapids area has scheduled the annual Fall Lecture for October 30, a Thursday night, at 8:00 p.m. at the First Zeeland Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Kamps as speaker. 

From Byron Center we learn that the congregation projects that it will be self-supporting by 1987. In light of that, no Synodical aid was applied for. Byron Center is also moving ahead with their building plans. Their consistory has been informed by the Future Building Committee of progress being made. The committee is waiting for working plans from the architect which will be used for estimating costs. 

From Grandville Church Publication Committee we find that the publication of Rev. Harbach’s commentary on Genesis is nearly a reality. The book is expected some time in October, and will go on the market at a price of $21.95, quite a deal for a 900 page cloth bound commentary. To order, send a check payable to the Grandville Church Publishing Committee for the amount of $23.45 (includes the $1.50 postage and handling) to: Mr. Dennis Dykstra, 3228 Chestnut, Grandville, Michigan 49418. 

And from Lynden, Washington, we find that they introduce the theme for the year’s family visitation by means of a sermon dealing with that theme. This year’s theme is “Walking in the Truth” based on III John 3:1-4. It seems that this could only lead to a very profitable spirit, and that the visits would be used of God for the strengthening of the faith. 

Rev. Van Baren and Prof. Hanko, along with their wives, will be leaving toward the end of this month for a visit to the Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore. They will be there the Sundays of Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. As you might expect, they will be kept very busy with all sorts of church-related activities, including preaching. While they are there, they will also take part in the ordination service for Jaikishin Mahtani. 

Hope Church in Grand Rapids had a farewell program for Rev. Flikkema and his family on the night of Sept. 26. Rev. Flikkema and his family planned to leave for Covenant Church in New Jersey on October 1. 

Hope has formed a trio consisting of the Reverends den Hartog, Slopsema, and Van Overloop.