All Articles For News from Our Churches

PRC news (denominational) At the time of this writing (mid-June) the following may be noted concerning ministerial calls in the PRC: D. Kleyn was considering the call to Hudsonville PRC. On June 11 Rev. C. Spronk declined the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) and Rev. D. Noorman the call to Randolph (WI) PRC. M. Kortus was considering calls to Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) and to Loveland (CO) PRC. Doon (IA) PRC had a new trio of Revs. H. Bleyenberg, D. Kleyn, and R. Smit. On June 18 she called Rev. Kleyn. Lynden (WA) PRC formed a new trio of...

PRC news (denominational) On May 7 Rev. J. Holstege was installed as the eleventh pastor in First PRC’s (Grand Rapids, MI) history, with Prof. C. Griess leading the service. In the evening Rev. Holstege preached his inaugural sermon, taking as his text Isaiah 55:10, 11, and expounding it under the theme “God’s Word Prospering Where He Sends It.” After the installation service the congregation enjoyed a fellowship lunch together and a welcome program was held for their new pastor and his family. At the time of this writing the following may be reported concerning calls to vacant PRCs: Rev. J....

PRC news (denominational) On Friday night, March 31, Hull PRC witnessed and rejoiced in the installation of the thirteenth different pastor in her history, Rev. S. Regnerus, who came from Lynden PRC in Washington but grew up in that NW Iowa area. Rev. A. Brummel of Calvary PRC (also in Hull) led the special service. Meanwhile, Lynden PRC called Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton, MN PRC) on March 19 from a trio that included Revs. A. Brummel and M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA). Rev. Kortus declined the call from Doon, IA PRC on March 19. On that same Sunday, Rev. J....

PRC news (denominational)  Loveland PRC’s Consistory published a new trio of Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC-Wyoming, MI), Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland, MI), and Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison, MI). On March 12 they extended a call to Rev. Smidstra.  Randolph PRC has a new trio from the Consistory to consider: Revs. N. Decker (Grandville-MI PRC), J. Maatman (SE-Grand Rapids PRC), and D. Noorman. The congregation called on March 26. In PRC Seminary news, the second semester is over the halfway point, which means that midterm exams/ tests were recently taken, and students are working diligently on their major Reformed...

PRC news (denominational and congregational) In the most recent minister call news as of this writing (Feb. 27), we can report the following: Rev. N. Decker (Grandville-MI PRC) declined the calls he had received from Georgetown (MI) PRC and from Loveland (CO) PRC (Feb.19). Rev. J. Maatman (SE-Grand Rapids, MI PRC) received the call from Hudsonville (MI) PRC (Feb. 19). On that same Sunday he also received the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). Also on February 19, Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) received the call to Doon (IA) PRC. Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden-WA PRC) accepted the call to...

PRC news (denominational and congregational) With all the vacant churches in the PRC, numerous calls have been made and responded to in the last few months. We only provide the most recent here. Back on November 20, 2022, Rev. J. Laning accepted the call from Zion PRC to serve as home missionary. On January 1, 2023 he preached his farewell in Hull PRC, and on February 5 he is to be installed as home missionary. He plans to take some special missions classes and do some writing as Zion determines where best to have him begin his labors. Also on...

Greetings, dear reader of the Standard Bearer! It is our hope, the Lord willing, to begin a new supplemental series to “News from Our Churches,” in which we explore the organic nature of the church. Especially, we want to take a look at that part of the great and glorious body of Christ in the world we know fondly as the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, along with her sisters and friends. We are described in Scripture as living members, alive by the regenerating Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives in us. We live, as members of a...

Mr. Charles Terpstra, member of Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan and full-time librarian/registrar/archivist at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary Trivia question What was the first RFPA publication? (Hints: It was not a magazine, and it was in a foreign language.) PRC news (denominational) On June 19 Rev. E. Guichelaar accepted the call he had received from Grace PRC—Grand Rapids, MI (May 22). His farewell in Randolph (WI) PRC was held on July 17. He was installed as the third pastor in Grace’s history on July 31. On May 22 the Consistory of Hosanna PRC-Edmonton (note the new name!)...

Mr. Charles Terpstra, member of Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan and full-time librarian/registrar/archivist at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary PRC news (denominational) On April 24 Doon PRC sent out a call to Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). On May 15 he declined this call. After receiving Peace PRC’s call on April 27, Rev. J. Marcus accepted it on May 1. We rejoice with him and Amy and their family in God’s provision of a new place of kingdom labor. May the Lord by His grace and Spirit prepare them for ministry in this congregation. On May 1, Prof....

Mr. Charles Terpstra, member of Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan and full-time librarian/registrar/archivist at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary Trivia question (a double one!): How many resources does the PRC Seminary library have as of this writing? And how many boxes of archived materials were added to the PRC archives in the last year? (This information will be in the 2022 PRC Synod agenda, specifically, in the Theological  School Committee report, but you get the answer sooner.) PRC news (denominational) Rev. D. Kleyn, currently missionary to the Philippines, was recently given calls from Hudsonville PRC and Doon PRC....