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PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of March 24, 2019 *(Updated)

Isaiah53 5On this twelfth Lord's Day of 2019, March 24, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • Rev. W. Langerak (SE PRC-GR) has been considering the call from Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI), received on March 3. *Today it was announced that he had accepted this call. We rejoice with Trinity in God's provision of another pastor.

  • The congregation of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) will call today (following the afternoon service) from the Council's new trio: Rev. Erik Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), Rev. Martyn McGeown (Covenant PRCNI), and Rev. Martin VanderWal (Wingham, ON). *UPDATE: Rev. E. Guichelaar has received this call.

  • Grandville PRC will call today (after the evening service) for a minister-on-loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore from the Council's new trio: Revs J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), G. Eriks (Hudsonville), C. Spronk (Faith). *UPDATE: Rev. C. Spronk has received this call.

  • From Southwest PRC's bulletin we find this special note today: “We once again bid farewell to our fellow saints in SW as we leave for another extended period of service in the church in Singapore.  Next week on March 31 we will not be in SW since I have preaching invitations in Michigan churches for both services. We leave for Singapore on April 3, 2019. We will be in Singapore, D.V., at least until the end of June 2019, possibly a bit longer, serving in Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church there. We ask for your prayers on our behalf and for the church in Singapore. Many activities have been planned.”  Sincerely, Pastor and Sherry den Hartog

  • From Georgetown PRC's (Hudsonville, MI) bulletin of March 17 we find this significant item: "This month is our Congregation’s 25th Anniversary. We confess together from our hearts: God is Good! God is Faithful! “God has done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3 The Council is forming a 25th Anniversary Committee to help us celebrate His Covenant Faithfulness to Georgetown. Details will follow in the bulletin in the coming months. Do you have personal memories, pictures, special blessings God has given you as a member of Christ’s body in Georgetown? Please give them to the Pastor or to Elder Mike Moelker."

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

sem addition roof Mar 2019
*Work continued on the seminary addition project this week (cf. more on that below)

PRC Seminary News:

  • The seminary has now completed nine weeks of the second semester. Mid-term exams in Dogmatics (doctrine of salvation this semester) and OT History were held last week. The schedule of courses and calendar of events for this semester may be found on this page. If you would like to visit for a day or a class, call or email the seminary secretary, Sharon Kleyn.
  • Did you know that Prof. R. Cammenga prepares a "Monday Notes" each week with a summary of the week's activities and responsibilities (devotions, chapel, Friday lunch)? He always ends it with a profitable quote. Last week's note had this good one:

“[T]he beginning, and even the preparation, of proper prayer is the plea for pardon with a humble and sincere confession of guilt.  Nor should anyone, however holy he may be, hope that he will obtain anything from God until he is freely reconciled to him; nor can God chance to be propitious to any but those whom he has pardoned.  Accordingly, it is no wonder if believers open for themselves the door to prayer with this holy key...."  (John Calvin, Institutes, 3.20.9.)

  • If you have not yet done so, check out the new PRC seminary website! There are many new features and updates, including a blog. Visit the site and check out the various pages - and sign up to receive seminary news by email!

  • *More work was done last week on the seminary addition project (new archives and offices), as the weather improved enough for continued roof work to be done (cf. picture above). In addition, planning and preparations continue for the library renovation part of the project this summer. Wood-work for the library shelves (side panels) has begun, while new carpet, ceiling tiles, lighting, and paint are being lined up.

  • *Special notice: Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2019 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 31st.

  • The PRC Synod 2018 took a decision urging “the churches and the pastors in particular in their public prayers to pray the Lord of the harvest for able, faithful, and devoted pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) for us and our children, as well as for the gathering of the elect out of the nations (Matthew 28:19).” A number of ministers are nearing the age of emeritation, and the number of students in the seminary at this time will not be sufficient to fill the upcoming needs of our churches either in our own congregations or in the work of missions. Please remember this urgent need in your prayers and encourage young men whom you observe to have the gifts to consider the ministry.

Dordt400LogoRightMargin2

  • DORDT 400!  APRIL 25-27. TRINITY PRC.  The seminary-sponsored conference celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Great Synod is approaching!  Please make plans to come to hear important speeches, see displays of 400-year-old artifacts from Dordt, learn the winners of the writing contest, and meet PRC friends coming from at least 10 different countries!  Speakers are our seminary professors; Revs. B. Huizinga and W. Langerak; and Rev. A. Stewart (CPRC NI) and Rev. M. Shand (EPC Australia).   Trinity PRC in Hudsonville is our host.  The conference will be live-streamed via Trinity’s web-site for those unable to attend.  For more, see Dordt400.org.

CERCS group pic 2018

*Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore, one of the PRC sisters

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Berean PRC:
    • "Rev. Ibe will lead us in our worship services today.
    • Our pastor is also scheduled to preach at Kerusso Community church at 3P.M. today. At 5P.M. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their study of the Church Order Art. 72 and 73, the Lord willing.
    • Elder Herbert Espiritu is visiting with the saints in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija today. Elder Espiritu will lead them in their worship service today, the Lord willing. May God bless His Word in their hearts today as they hear it!"
  • Maranatha PRC:
    • "Rev. R. Smit will lead us in both services. He will continue teaching the Belgic Confession Article 20.

    • The PRCP Contact Committee 2 will meet again with the officebearers of Provident Christian Church on March 26, 2019 ...to examine their full unity [of] doctrine, practice, church life and responsibilities before admitting into the Federation."

  • Rev. Daniel & Sharon Kleyn are currently taking an extended furlough in the U.S. (until June 18). Per the decision of the PRC Synod of 2018, "the purpose of the furlough is to give Rev. Kleyn time to take some courses with a view to obtaining an advanced degree, to prepare classes to be taught in the PRCP [Philippines] seminary in the future, and to give both Rev. & Sharon opportunity to be refreshed and to reconnect with family."

  • And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions (bulletins).
  • *Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items from her bulletin today (March 10):
    • Rev. H. Bleyenberg (Providence PRC) is currently serving the CERC this month.

    • Grandville PRC will call today (after the evening service) for a minister-on-loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore from the Council's new trio: Revs J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), G. Eriks (Hudsonville), C. Spronk (Faith). *UPDATE: Rev. C. Spronk has received this call.

    • Her latest newsletter (February 2019) - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently posted and may be found on this page.

    • The last issue of the young peoples' magazine, Salt Shakers (November 2018) may be found on this page.
  • *The PRC also has a "corresponding relationship" with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Australia. We remember these brothers and sisters in our prayers and labors also.

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Do you want to learn more about the five points of Calvinism? Visit this section of our website.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • If you are in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing, visit the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.

  • Would you like to read good Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine? Visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association's website (www.rfpa.org), where you will find information on books in all major Christian categories, as well as on the bi-monthly periodical, the Standard Bearer.

  • If you are in West Michigan, be sure to visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI! The RBO is a great source for Bibles, Bible study materials, music, cards, RFPA books, and other Reformed literature; stop at the RBO, or visit their website.

  • You can now listen to the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt on audio! Visit the links provided to hear the Catechism, the Confession, and the Canons read by Elijah Roberts, one of our pre-seminary students. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

RWH Logo 2019

 2019 YP Conv logo
*Registration for conventioneers has opened (see note below)

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • NEWS about the 2019 PRYP's Convention: Southwest & Providence Protestant Reformed Churches will be hosting the 2019 PRC Young People's Convention on August 12-16, the Lord willing.  The convention will be held at Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, MI.  *The 2019 convention registration is now open for conventioneers!  All information is available on the convention website. Please use this website to complete your registration and all necessary forms that go with it. We are looking forward to a great week of fellowship and fun! Registration for chaperones is now open!  Please visit our website at prcconvention.com to register.

  • Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat updates: Registration for our 2019 retreat has been opened. Thank you to all that have registered already.  Come join us July 1-5, for a week filled with spiritual encouragement, white water rafting, campfires, hiking and other fun activities with like-minded believers! Check out our website (https://lyndenprcya.wixsite.com/mysite) to register and for more details. We also have a Facebook page (Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat 2019). Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions you may have. We look forward to hosting all of you in Washington! 

  • Young Men's Conference: Young men ages 14–25 (High School and College), please plan to attend the GPRC Young Men’s Conference, "Run, Fight, Lead!” on Saturday morning, April 27 from 8am-12pm, at Georgetown PRC. Breakfast Included! Register Today! For more details and to register please visit www.georgetownprc.org/runfightlead.
     
  • A matter for our young people to consider prayerfully - from the Federation of PR School Societies: “There is a significant need for more good Christian teachers for our beloved schools. This is true in light of increasing enrollment, recently established and emerging schools, and continual teacher retirements. We ask that this need be prayed for and supplication made that the young men and women of your congregation be led by God to enter into the vocation of a Christian school teacher. This…is intended to bring the serious need for teachers to your attention so this specific request can be brought to our heavenly Father and the need made known directly to your congregation.”

  • *Special notice: Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2019 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 31st.

  • Are YOU a subscriber to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights? Visit the website and learn how to become one!

  • The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (November 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

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PRC MISSION NEWS:

Domestic Labors:

  • Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond through Byron Center PRC, the calling church.
    • From Byron Center PRC's bulletin this week we learn this news: "Our home missionary and his wife are attending a mission conference this week in North Carolina."

United Kingdom:

  • Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
    • The March 2019 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station was received and posted recently.
    • Rev McGeown (via phone link) will discuss his book, Grace and Assurance: the Message of the Canons of Dordt, on “Iron Sharpens Iron” Radio, a station based in Pennsylvania, USA, on Monday 1 April from 4-6 PM EST (US) or 9-11 PM (GMT), http://www.ironsharpensironradio.com

Philippine Missions:

  • The last Philippines mission newsletter was received and posted back in January 2019 and may be found on this PRC webpage.

  • For more on life and activities in the Philippines from the personal perspective of the missionary's, visit the Kleyn's blog, the Holstege's, and the Smits!

  • From this Sunday's bulletin of Provident Christian Church in Marikina we find the following notes concerning her pastor as well as concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
    • "The elders of PCC will lead both worship services today because Rev. Holstege took vacation last week. The elders will use video sermons of PRCA ministers: Rev. Jim Slopsema in the first service and Prof. Barry Gritters in the second service.
    • The Council of PCC will have their second meeting with Committee #2 of the PRCP, Lord willing, this Tuesday, March 26." [with a view to joining the PRCP federation]

Let us continue in prayer to the Lord for the fulfillment of the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace to be faithful and encouraged in all their labors.

Myanmar:

  • Let us also remember Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar; for his latest report, visit this page.
Last modified on 25 March 2019