Mr. Wigger is an elder in the Protestant Reformed Church of Hudsonville, Michigan.

Congregation Activities

This past summer the congregation of the Hudsonville, MI PRC met twice to consider important proposals from their council. In late May they met to approve a proposal that when Rev. G. VanBaren retires from the ministry in August, he be hired on an hourly basis to assist Rev. B. Gritters, Hudsonville’s pastor, with his heavy work load. Hudsonville’s council anticipated that some of Rev. VanBaren’s duties would be to preach occasionally, teach afternoon catechism classes, possibly lead a society, and visit the elderly.

Hudsonville met again in late July to consider five different proposals, the most interesting of which was a proposal to update their video system. Part of this up-grade would consist of two new digital cameras with remote controls, mounting one at the rear of the auditorium and one on the side. It is hoped that the improved quality of these tapes will allow future broadcasts over the local Public Broadcast Station. Since these cameras are digital, it is possible that some day Hudsonville could send its church services directly into the homes of shut-in members or any other interested party anywhere in the world by way of the computer and the Internet.

Work continues on the sanctuary of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI. All the exterior brick work is now done, and the much anticipated placing of the steeple on the roof of the building was completed in early July.

Pastor-elect Nathan Brummel and his wife, Paula, planned on moving from Michigan to Dyer, Indiana in mid-July, while they await the next meeting of Classis East early this month to approve his examination and give Cornerstone PRC approval to proceed with his installation as their first pastor. Their address is 2258 Sandcastle Drive, Dyer, Indiana 46311, and their phone number is 219-865-1108.

The First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI encouraged women in their congregation to join together for four successive Wednesdays in June for a Women’s Summer Bible Discussion. Bible lessons were based on John 6:22-40, “Jesus’ Sermon on the Bread of Life.”

June 27 First also sponsored an enlightening presentation by Mr. Donald VanderKolk concerning the Puritan Reformed Prison Ministry that he has been conducting at the Kent County Correctional Facility the past five years.

In February, 1996, the congregation of the Grace PRC in Standale, MI met to approve the purchase of property for a future building site. Though the property was purchased, those plans for a church home were never realized because Grace was able to purchase an existing church and parsonage from the Grand Valley OCRC. This summer Grace was able to sell that property and apply the receipts from the sale to pay off notes and eliminate their total debt.

Mission Activities

The Evangelism Committee of the First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI sponsored a Mission Emphasis meeting on July 18. Jack and Judie Feenstra, who are going to Singapore to help in the work, made a presentation about what that work would involve.

Rev. J. Mahtani, our missionary in Pittsburgh, was able to exchange pulpits recently with Rev. M. VanderWal, pastor of the Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, N.J. Rev. Mahtani also spent a weekend in early August preaching in Fayetteville, NC for a group of Reformed believers, the Fayetteville Reformed Fellowship, who have requested our help as they seek spiritual direction for their future existence.

Rev. R. Moore and his wife found a suitable home in the area where they will be laboring. Their mailing address is: Private Mail Bag #15, Madina, Ghana, West Africa. Phone is 233-21-51-0353. They began preaching services in their home in mid-July with four people in attendance. At the Bible Study on the following Tuesday, two additional people attended. Now that they are almost fully settled in their house, they anticipate more time to contact others they met on former trips. Continue to pray for the Moores, and all our other missionaries, and take time to write them a note of encouragement.

Minister Activities

Rev. W. Bruinsma declined the call he had been considering from the Loveland, CO PRC.

The council of the Hull, IA PRC presented to their congregation a trio of the Revs. B. Gritters, Dale Kuiper, and K. Koole. In mid-July they extended a call to Rev. B. Gritters.