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

Mission Activities

Wednesday evening, November 4, Revs. B. Gritters and K. Koole left Detroit, MI for a two-week visit to Northern Ireland, the Covenant PRC in Northern Ireland, and our churches’ missionary there, Rev. R. Hanko and his family. While there, the emissaries’ work was to include preaching, visiting the consistory at least two evenings to conduct church visitation and discuss possible sister-church relations, visiting as many of the families as possible, and spending time with the Hankos to minister to their needs. They planned to return, D.V., on November 18.

Revs. A. denHartog and R. Smit returned safely home in late October from their trip to the Philippines. Thankfully, the areas they visited were spared the brunt of the destructive storms that swept over the Philippines the two weeks they were there. They reported briefly that they were well received wherever they went and they were very impressed by how eager the people are to have the truth brought to them.

In late October Rev. C. Terpstra and Elder Al Rau made visits to Spokane, WA, Loveland, CO, and Alamosa, CO on behalf of our churches’ Domestic Mission Committee. Plans called for them to meet with Loveland’s consistory and Missionary Rev. T. Miersma to review his labors in the San Luis Valley. Rev. Terpstra planned to preach once both in Spokane and in Alamosa.

While filling the pulpit of the South Holland, IL PRC in mid-October, Prof. H. Hanko also agreed to give a brief informal presentation on the work of our churches in Northern Ireland and Wales. You may remember that he and his wife just recently returned from that area, having spent the past few months laboring in Wales on behalf of our churches and our Domestic Mission Committee.

Evangelism Activities

The Evangelism Committee of the Lynden, WA PRC sponsored a public lecture on October 23 entitled “Reformed Worship,” with their pastor, Rev. M. Joostens, speaking. Rev. Joostens planned to consider such aspects of worship as its central purpose, worship in the light of Scripture, and Reformed worship versus contemporary services.

The Bethel PRC in Itasca, IL sponsored a Reformation celebration on October 23 at the Wheaton College Church in Wheaton, IL. Prof. D. Engelsma spoke on the topic, “Justification by Faith Alone, Why Is It Still Important Today?” Bethel considered this an important and timely topic in light of the recent discussions between Evangelicals and Rome on justification. It seems very important today that as children of the Reformation we know and declare the truth of the only way a person can be right with God.

We couldn’t let this issue of the “News” go by without passing along our congratulations to the Loveland, CO PRC, which celebrated their 40th anniversary as an organized congregation on October 30. This celebration was marked in part by a Reformation Day lecture by one of their former pastors, Prof. D. Engelsma, speaking on “Celebration of Gracious Faithfulness.” Activities around the lecture included a dinner, followed by a program of thanksgiving and praise, with the lecture and a time of fellowship afterwards.

Young People’s Activities

In an effort to generate enthusiasm for next summer’s young people’s convention, the young people of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA began publishing “The Convention Chronicle” in October, and we pass part of that information on to you, hoping that it will do the same for you.

The site for the convention is the beautiful, 145 acre Camp Cedar Falls, near Angelus Oaks. It includes facilities for basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming. The young people also report that after sampling the cooking, the food is as good as that of most conventions.

The conventioneers will be housed in cabins that hold 16 to 24 people. They include bunks, heaters, electricity, and mirrors (very important).

Ministers

We rejoice with Rev. Allen and Crysta Brummel in the birth of a son, Brandyn Trey, born October 27.

Congregational Activities

Our Byron Center, MI PRC addressed a problem that many of us have faced or will face in the future when our children attend catechism on a week night at church. Instead of bringing your children to catechism by 6:45, returning home, and coming back within the hour, why not stay to study God’s Word? Byron Center’s Men’s Society began meeting Monday nights at 6:45 during the catechism class of the evening.

In the latest bulletin from our Bethel PRC in Itasca, IL we find that the roofing of their sanctuary is now complete, with steeple, and the coming week asphalt was scheduled to be poured.

News from Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI also includes reports that brick work continues, with completion of outside work and the start of inside walls. Some floors have been poured, and trusses for the fellowship hall and south wing were delivered in late October.

Denominational Activities

October 29 Rev. D. Kleyn, pastor of the Edgerton, MN PRC, spoke at a Ladies League Meeting in Edgerton on the subject of “Angels.”