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

Evangelism Activities

The month of September saw the congregation of the Bethel PRC in Itasca, IL sponsor two classes for their community. These classes were held at the Elk Grove Library on September 18 and 25. The topics considered were, “The Bible: Absolute Truth,” based on II Peter 1, and “What is the Life of a Christian?” as found in Romans 6.

The Evangelism Committee of the Kalamazoo, MI PRC planned a fall seminar, entitled “Behold, I Come Quickly,” to run three consecutive Thursdays in October. Beginning on October 9, Rev. W. Bruinsma, pastor at Kalamazoo, was scheduled to speak on the topic “Amillennialism,” followed by “The Signs of Christ’s Coming,” and “The Last Days.”

Rev. Mahtani, pastor of the Trinity PRC in Houston, TX, was asked to present the Reformed view of predestination to two of the high school classes at Texas Christian School in mid-September. Evidently he was well received, since he was invited back for a follow-up question and answer session.

Congregational Activities

In a follow-up to our October 1 “News,” we can now report that the sale of the church building of the First PRC in Holland, MI has been finalized. The sale was closed on September 26. This means that our Holland congregation is temporarily without a church home. But for the present, at least, they will meet at Pine Creek Elementary School, located, for those of you who might have an occasion to go there, at 1184 136th Ave., north of West Ottawa High School, between Riley and Quincy Streets. We say temporary church home because we have also learned that work has already begun on their new church building. As of September 25 the footings were in, and best estimates called for completion of Holland’s new building by June of next year.

The Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada reports that they were able to worship in their beautiful new church building for the first time on Sunday, September 21. Their contractor will now begin building a new parsonage near the church. Finances for the new parsonage are coming from the sale of the old parsonage.

Progress also continues to be made on the 6.2 acres of property which will eventually become the home of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI. The occupants of that property moved out, and the Georgetown Fire Department planned to use the recently demolished barn as a practice site on October 2. They planned on the same for the garage in six weeks, and the house will follow in February, after many practice sessions in “search and rescue” in a smoke-filled home.

As far as plans for a new church building go, it has been determined that first a general sketch has to be adopted, with a general idea of the cost. To this end, slow progress is being made.

In a follow-up to our July 1st issue of the “News,” we are also happy to report that the “In My Heart” memory project, the memorization of the book of James by members of the Hudsonville, MI PRC, is now completed. On Sunday evening, September 21, Hudsonville’s congregation was invited to stay after the service for a short ceremony for distributing Bibles for those who participated. Over 100 originally signed on to memorize either a part or all of that book, and just under 100 finished the project, with 32 of those committing to memory the entire 108 verses of James in just ten weeks.

A special worship service was held on Friday, September 19, at the Hope PRC in Walker, MI for the ordination and installation of pastor-elect James Laning. Prof. Engelsma led the service and Prof. Hanko read the installation form. The following Lord’s Day Rev. Laning preached his inaugural sermon entitled, “Our God’s Urgent Word of Comfort,” based on Isaiah 40:1, 2. Plans called for a welcome program for the Lanings on October 17.

Two days later, on the 21st of September, pastor-elect Martin VanderWal was installed as the fourth pastor of the Covenant PRC in Wyckoff, NJ. Rev. K. Koole led the installation service. The service was followed by a welcome luncheon for the VanderWal family. The following Sunday Rev. VanderWal preached his inaugural sermon, based on II Corinthians 1:23, 24 and entitled, “Preaching Christ Crucified.” We rejoice that God has continued graciously to provide men for the ministry of the Word in our churches. Let us all remember the exhortation of Ephesians 6:19 and pray for those two men, and for all our ministers, that utterance may be given them that they may open their mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.