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

School Activities

Our Christian schools continue to enjoy increases in their enrollment.

Addressing that “problem,” the school society of the Hope Christian School in Redlands, CA met on December 15 to consider two proposals submitted by their school board. The first was to approve adding an additional teacher to their staff for the upcoming year, and the second was to approve the construction of another building, consisting of two classrooms and additional bathroom facilities. Both proposals, after discussion, were passed unanimously. The Lord willing, construction will begin as early as mid-way through this month.

Once more this 1998 season, the Hope Foundation of the Hope PR Christian School in Walker, MI is presenting their annual travelogue series at Grandville Middle School in Grandville, MI. Plans called for four travelogues this year, ranging from a canoeing adventure in the Northwest Territories in Canada, toAustralia, over to Turkey, and finally coming to a conclusion in April in Switzerland.

Evangelism Activities

The Evangelism Committee of the Peace PRC in Lansing, IL has recently published business-size cards with their church’s address and phone number on them. The first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism is on the back. It was hoped that these cards would be used in introducing others to their church. They could also be sent to people in cards and letters, handed to friends and neighbors with whom one has contact, and left in places of business.

From a letter received by the Evangelism Committee of the Southwest PRC in Grandville, MI we quote a few lines, “I have passed out more than 1,000 copies of PRC booklets in the past five years … to the men in my Bible Study at Kent County Correctional Facility…. The men eagerly take your materials and comment on how much it has helped them come to know who God is and His way of salvation…,” from Mr. Donald VanderKolk, Puritan Reformed Prison Ministry, Grand Rapids, MI.

Congregational Activities

The consistory of the Kalamazoo, MI PRC has granted their pastor, Rev. W. Bruinsma, permission to conduct a class on church polity. Rev. Bruinsma planned to start each class with a brief period of instruction, followed by discussion on subjects dealing with the duties and labors of officebearers, the inner working of a consistory, and the church order. Kalamazoo’s consistory hoped that this class would stimulate discussion among those who have served and now presently serve in office; and they hoped also that men who have not served, especially younger men, would be able to use this class to learn of this important work of the church.

This year two of our congregations reach important milestones in their history, D.V. Our Faith PRC in Jenison will celebrate its 25th anniversary on February 15, and our Loveland, CO PRC will celebrate their 40th anniversary on June 7. As part of the observance of these events, both congregations made plans to put together a pictorial directory for 1998. We also know that Faith made plans for an anniversary program on February 15. We are sure that Loveland will do the same as June draws closer.

You might also be interested in knowing that back in 1958, when Loveland was organized, their budget, based on 17 families, came to $4.25 per week. Rent for their parsonage was $780 per year. And their pastor’s salary was $3,800.00.

The council of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI called a special congregational meeting for January 29 to deal with recommendations from the council concerning a church building. The council recommended to their congregation that it approve a Phase I building program which included a preliminary site plan, a concept building design, and a tentative financial plan.

After study of various designs and floor plans, Georgetown is looking at a building with a seating capacity of about 500 persons. This building will also include a large narthex for fellowship after worship services and an exterior style that is traditional and church-like. The proposed site plan and building design was approved. Consequently, the next step is to engage an architect to prepare detailed working plans. If all goes according to plan, Georgetown could begin construction as early as this summer.