On Sunday, August 10, Doon PRC announced that Rev.Steven Key had declined the call she had extended to him to serve as the new missionary in the Philippines. This call was extended by congregational vote on July 13, 2014.

Rev.S.Key is currently serving the Loveland CO PRC.

The PR Young People's Convention, hosted by Hope PRC of Redlands, CA is taking place this week, August 4-8 at Idyllwild Pines Camp and Conference Center in Idyllwild, Califormia. The theme is "Living in the Last Days", based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8.

Speakers this year are Rev.Gary Eriks (Husdonville PRC), Rev.Nathan Decker (Trinity PRC), and Rev.Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands). For the topics of the speeches, visit this page.

Visit the Convention website for any updates. For pictures and more (including pictures from a drone!), visit Nick Kleyn's Facebook page on the convention here. In addition, Shaun Karsemeyer has posted more convention pictures here. A couple of photos from Sunday's worship services and singspiration are posted below.

Let us remember to pray for our young people and all involved in this special week, that they may be kept safe, that they may bond together in true Christian friendship, and that they may grow spiritually through the Word of God and godly fellowship.

Postscript (This notice to the Hope PRC, Redlands congregation was placed in their bulletin of August 10, 2014):

The Lord graciously answered our many prayers for His blessing upon our Young People's Convention of this past week. A safe, exciting, and spiritually enriching week was enjoyed by all. All of the congregation's work in planning, organizing, and hosting the convention was noticed and appreciated by many. A hearty thanks to all those who faithfully served in so many different ways to make this convention a wonderful event for all who attended. May God be pleased to use the instruction that was given on "Living in the Last Days" for the glory of His name and the strengthening of all our young people in their faith and walk.

From all that we heard about this YP's Convention, we may certainly echo these sentiments. Thank you, Hope PRC!

The eighth issue of "Reformed News Asia" has been released by the Christian Literature Ministry of our sister church in Singapore, the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church, and it is another issue filled with informative and edifying content (for information on the previous issue, #7, click on this link)!

One of the special features of this issue is once again the devotions on the Belgic Confession, covering Articles 24-25 (see pdf attachment) on the topics of man's sanctification and good works, and the abolishing of the ceremonial law. Written by Missionary-pastor M.MeGeown (Limerick Reformed Fellowship, Ireland), these devotions on the BC take you through the month of August (August 13-Sept.3 - for the beginning of August, see issue 7). You will find great spiritual profit in using these devotions day by day.

In addition, the newsletter also contains information about the CLM's pamphlet and book ministries and about activities going on in the CERC, including some of the special events revolving around the visits of Prof.R.Dykstra and Rev.N.Decker (see picture below).

For more information on how to subscribe to this newsletter, visit this page on the CERC website.

First PRC of Grand Rapids, MI and the Reformed Witness Hour Committee announce the messages scheduled for August 2014 on the RWH program. Rev.Carl Haak, pastor of the Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI, will continue his series on the OT prophecy of Jonah and give a special Christian education message as school will soon begin once again.

Below is the schedule of messages, which you will also find attached in pdf form.

For stations and times for listening to the RWH program, visit the RWH website.

The British Reformed Fellowship has its conference in Scotland this week (Saturday to Saturday, July 26 - August 2).  Prof David Engelsma and Prof. Herman Hanko (both emeritus professsors of the PRC Seminary) are the speakers, giving three speeches each on the topic “Be Ye Holy, The Reformed Doctrine of Sanctification.” 

The venue is the beautiful and historic Gartmore House in Gartmore, Stirling and a variety of attendees are once again present.

The conference is sponsored by our sister church in Northern Ireland, the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Ballymena.

For pictures of the conference so far, visit this site of Mr.John Van Baren. He will continue uploading them to this site, so check in on it daily.

You may also enjoy the video he took of the conference farewell psalm-sing from the Scottish Psalter.

After a six-week furlough in the United States missionary-pastor Daniel Kleyn and his wife Sharon returned home to their place of labor in the Philippines this past Thursday (July 17, 2014).

On their latest blog post they reported on the last parts of their furlough, including a trip to the West where they gave presentations in First PRC, Edmonton, AB, Lynden PRC, WA, and Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA (see picture here).

And they included this note at the end after they had arrived back in the Philippines:

"We arrived home again late Thursday night, July 17.  All thanks to God for prospering our journey and for blessing the work.  We were greatly encouraged and refreshed through the furlough, and are now glad to be home again to take up our work here in the Philippines."

They report that the effects of the latest strong typhoon, which went through the Philippines just south of Manila this past Wednesday, brought down trees and caused flooding. The missionaries homes did not experience the flooding, but the lower level of Rev. and Mrs. Ibe’s home did.

We pray that they and the Smits may experience God’s continued care and blessings in their labors in that part of God's kingdom and church.

Let us also remember to pray for Rev.S.Key (Loveland, CO) as he considers the call to serve as missionary in the Philippines to replace Rev.R.Smit.