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

Congregational Activities

If there seems to be a common theme in our churches this time of year, it would have to be the Reformation and our observance of it. We count no fewer than seven conferences or lectures sponsored by various of our churches this year.

Perhaps one of the more ambitious events was a two-day Reformation Conference sponsored by the Southwest PRC in Grandville, MI. Over the course of a Friday evening and a Saturday morning and afternoon, Rev. R. Cammenga, pastor of Southwest, and Rev. K. Koole, pastor of Faith PRC, spoke four times on the theme, “The Reformation and Worship.” This theme was considered from four different points of view. The first was “The Reformation’s Emphasis on the Centrality’ of Preaching in Worship.” This was followed by addresses on the Reformation’s emphasis on congregational worship, spiritual worship, and family worship.

The church extension committee of the Loveland, CO PRC scheduled a lecture in their church for the 27th of October. Loveland’s pastor, Rev. G. VanBaren, spoke on the subject “Yea, Hath God said…?”—an examination of the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding the church into all the truth.

Prof. H. Hanko, of our seminary, was invited to speak at a Reformation Day celebration at the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA. He spoke on October 28 on the theme, “The Truth of Justification, the Pillar of the Church.” While in Redlands he was also able to preach the following Sunday on the theme, “Fully Justified,” expounding on Romans 8:33, 34.

The chapel of Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA was the location of a lecture sponsored by the Reformed Witness Committee of our churches in Iowa and Minnesota. On November 4 Prof. D. Engelsma, of our seminary, spoke on “Martin Luther: Theologian of the Glory of God.”

Rev. J. Mahtani, pastor of the Trinity PRC in Houston, TX, spoke on October 31, at Trinity on the theme, “Reaching the Nations with the Reformed Faith.”

On October 27 Rev. R. VanOverloop, pastor of the Georgetown PRC in Bauer, MI spoke at a lecture sponsored by the Bethel PRC in Elk Grove Village, IL. He spoke on the topic, “What Is the Basis For Truth?”

The Evangelism Committee of the South Holland, IL PRC also sponsored a lecture this past Reformation Day. It was entitled, “The Reformation: A Return to the Primacy of Preaching.”

The El Bethel Christian Center in Elk Grove Village, IL was the scene of the installation service of Rev. C. Haak, as the second pastor of the Bethel PRC. This service was held on November 4 and was conducted by Rev. W. Bruinsma, pastor of the First PRC in Holland, MI. Bethel’s council extended invitations to the congregations of both the Peace and South Holland churches to join them for this happy and historic event.

Plans called for a Haak family welcome to follow one week later.

The Consistory of the Hope PRC in Walker, MI has granted the request of the group meeting in Standale for an extension of six months for their holding of services in that area. This request was granted because the group has continued to grow and now comprises 24 families. It appears that, the Lord willing, they will proceed toward organization sometime in the near future.

Evangelism Activities

The Council of the South Holland, IL PRC approved their Evangelism Committee’s plan for a series of gospel messages by their pastor, Rev. C. Terpstra, in Florence, Kentucky on November 15, 16, 17, in the Amazing Grace Lutheran Church. The purpose of these meetings is to reach the area with the Reformed faith and to try to determine what interest there might be in a. Reformed work. South Holland’s main advertising means was 40,000 flyers inserted in the November 5 issue of the Cincinnati Post Enquirer, the major newspaper of northern Kentucky. South Holland’s members were strongly urged to show their support for this work by coming down for some or all of these meetings if they could.

Minister Activities

Rev. R. Dykstra, of the Doon, IA PRC declined the call he had received from the Lynden, WA PRC. Rev. T. Miersma has accepted the call he received from the Loveland, CO PRC to serve as Home Missionary for our churches. Our congregation in Byron Center, MI called Rev. J. Slopsema to be their pastor. With him on that trio were the Revs. A. denHartog and C. Terpstra.

We also extend congratulations to Rev. and Mrs. M. Dick, of the Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB, Canada, who were blessed with the birth of a son, Daniel Mitchell, born October 24.

Food for Thought

“An idle life and a holy heart is a contradiction.”

—T. Brooks