MYANMAR COMMITTEE REPORT (Hope PRC)

August 16, 2017

Dear brethren,

Greetings in our gracious covenant Lord's name. Your summer days are gone, but still you are, for His mercy, well with His covenant blessings. Here, raining and hot all the time, but we believe that the Lord is merciful to us His remnant too little flock here.

For His mercy, H1N1 flu virus subsided very much, we give thanks to Him, and to you as well for your prayers.

But new crisis come up here, that is the Muslim extremists attacked Rakhine state and many policemen are killed with civilians, many non-Muslim people fled from that area to inland Burmese country, and many Muslim people fled to Bangladesh neighboring country. In the world those Muslim people called themselves "Rohinga", but we called them "Bengali". Now, the Muslim-extremists-Bengali people joined with Pakistan Isis groups and wanted their Caliphate-area in Rakhine state; so now they formed a terrorist group called "Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army"(ARSA) and fighting local Rakhine tribes. As you know in our last seminar, many from Rakhine state came and studied with us precious Reformed truth; we are quite concern about them and pray for them.

It is very interesting to see [that] our government is dealing with that group of terrorist people because in the world, many news agencies crying loud as genocide, but that is not we know very well as local people. More interesting thing is, many political opportunists try very hard to use it for their advantage, and call for army rule again. Because they know the people like this present government very much, they have no hope to hold power again, so the only thing they can be in power again is army come back and rule as before then with army they can have power back again. So they like to have religious clashes in the whole country, and they try to have one, for example, on 10-9-2017, [an] unknown group appear at night in one of our cities called "Taun Dwin Kyi" and beating local Muslim people and trying to burn a Mosque there. But the real local people do not want to participate with them and call police; then many policemen came up and stop them, and local people said that they never saw those people before. So every city is in alert not to happen that kind of force clashes, and government also announces that if that kind of thing come up, be calm and report to police instead of doing by oneself anything.

For us as churches, we earnestly pray to the Lord that that kind of religious crisis will not happen in our main land, day and night. Because if that kind of thing happens, then army will come back to power and marshal-law will be practiced and all will be back to army-dictatorship. I wonder at the evil heart that unbeliever can have, they do not care [for] the people but they want just the power. I hope and pray that the church of our Lord Jesus Christ will not be troubled by that kind of power-loving people.

During the H1N1 crisis, we stopped for three weeks Thursday classes, but for His mercy we can start again our Thursday Bible class. Rev. J. Laning participated through Facetime; he took one hour for Reformed eschatology and another hour we continue discussion on Reformed Essentials. I pray that from this class one day we can have our own Bible school to train local pastor in our own language.

I am still busy, editing my KJV Burmese translation. I am now editing the book of First Peter and I preached every week from out of that editing. Evening services [are on] the Heidelberg Catechism, [and] now I reach LD 44.

For "Sunday Digest", now I started translating, the book of Joshua, reach chapter 18. I reached translating Come, Ye Children by Gertrude Hoeksema, "David Hears News of the Battle." Many readers [give me] feedback that those stories not only children love to read but adult also love to read them very much and ask me after I did that whole book to produce as a book, especially the remarks that made by Gertrude under the sub-heading "Remember." I am [also] translating, Unfolding Covenant History, by Homer C. Hoeksema, I am translating the topic "God's Creation of Man: Created in God's Image." This book is loved by educated adult and college students very much, but normal Christians and ladies, they said some time, some of modern science's theories they do not understand. But I believe the standard of our PR knowledge must be in Burmese, so that, unbelievers and so-called evangelists scholars will know we are serious students of the Bible.

Catechism classes, younger one, Heidelberg Catechism, by Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma, this week we reach lesson 42. Older youth, I am teaching them our Belgic Catechism itself now, reach Article (3).

Thank you very much for supporting my ministry; without your help I cannot do all the things that I do for His people. Please continue to pray for us, so that the name of the Lord will be glorified here in this land. In my congregational prayer as well as in personal prayers always pray for you. The Lord's blessings to you all.

Your brother,

Rev. Titus

On this October 1, 2017 Lord's Day we note the following news and information from PRC congregations, classes, and mission fields.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• *UPDATE: The Council of Lynden PRC has formed a trio of Rev. B.Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands), J.Mahtani (Cornerstone PRC, Dyer, IN) and Cand. S.Regnerus.
• Pastor-elect Matt DeBoer was examined at the meeting of Classis West this past week, approved for ordination, and ordained and installed in Edgerton PRC this past Friday night, Sept.29. We praise God for His provision of another pastor to serve in the PRC. May the Spirit of Christ make this servant's ministry faithful and fruitful. For more on this, visit this special news item.
• The Council of Byron Center PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC), C. Griess (Calvary PRC, Hull IA) and A. Lanning (CERC, Singapore). A congregational meeting will be held TODAY after the evening service to call one of these men. *UPDATE: Rev. A. Lanning has received this call.
• On Sept.10 Cand. S. Regnerus received the call from the congregation of Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI). He has up to six weeks to consider this call.
  
• Cand. Brian Feenstra is considering the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) (Received Sept.3). He also has up to six weeks to consider this call. *UPDATE: Cand. Feenstra has ACCEPTED this call.
  
• On August 27 Candidate Justin Smidstra ACCEPTED the call from First PRC of Holland MI, declining the call from Southwest PRC. He will be examined, D.V., at a special meeting of Classis East in Georgetown PRC on October 18.
  
• On August 13 Candidate Joe Holstege ACCEPTED the call to Zion PRC. He will be examined, D.V., at a special meeting of Classis East in Georgetown PRC on October 18.
• Candidates Jon Langerak  and David Noorman are both assisting pastors and congregations in the Grand Rapids area (Georgetown PRC and Hudsonville PRC, respectively) while they wait for calls.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• CLASSIS WEST met this past Wednesday, September 27, in Hull (IA) PRC, with the highlight being the examination of Pastor-elect Matthew De Boer. For more on this, visit this special news item. A special conference on The Five Solas and How They Matter for the Ministry was held the day before. If you wish to listen to the five speeches that were given, visit this link.
  

• CLASSIS EAST will meet in special session on Wednesday, Oct.18, at Georgetown PRC for the purpose of examining Pastors-elect J. Holstege (Zion PRC, Hudsonville, MI) and J. Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI).

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Reformed Book Outlet: Check out the special Reformation resources this month! Many titles to choose from - for adults and children!

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Todays' message by radio pastor Rev. W. Bruinsma is titled "Thanks for the Church," based on 1 Thess.1:1-4.
  
  • NEW RWH Station - The Cornerstone PRC Word and Deed committee has partnered with the Reformed Witness Hour to air their messages on the radio in the Chicago area. Beginning today, September 10, the broadcast can be heard every Sunday at 4:00PM on WYLL 1160AM or on the internet at www.1160hope.com. Please tune in and encourage others to do so as opportunity arises in your personal witnessing.

 MISSION NEWS:

• On Sept.17 Rev. A. Spriensma was installed as home missionary, having been called by Byron Center PRC.
  
• On Sept.17 The congregation of Doon PRC voted to call Rev. R. Smit (pastor, First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines. *UPDATE: Rev. R. Smit has ACCEPTED this call.
  

Rev. J. Flores preaching for the PR Fellowship in Leyte this Spring.

• From the bulletin of Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  

  • We welcome Rev. Vernon Ibe too who will lead our first worship service today. Rev. Holstege will preach for the Berean PRC in the first service. Then he will teach the Church Order here at PCC and preach in our second service. Rev. Kleyn will be at the PRC in Bulacan today.

  • This Wed, at 7:30 pm, Rev. Holstege will finish teaching the Canons of Dordt. We will consider the Rejection of Errors of Head 5. After this week, the Wed night class will recess until after the Christmas season, Lord willing.

  • This Saturday at 9:00 am, Rev. Kleyn will teach the catechism class for the children. The children should prepare lesson 16 in the OT History for Juniors.

• And from the bulletin of the Maranatha PRC in Valanzuela City we learn about these special events:
  
  • A delegation of the Contact Committee of the PRCA plans to visit the PRCP in the Philippines (and also the CERC in Singapore) this October and November. The delegation consists of Rev. R. Smit and Elder David Kregel. The visit is part of the sister-church relationship that is being established between the PRCP and the PRCA. The delegation hopes to be in the Philippines from October 26 through November 6, the Lord willing.

  • A Reformation Day Conference is being planned for Tuesday, October 31. The theme is “Reformation 500: The Anniversary.” The speakers will be Rev. Holstege, Rev. Kleyn, and Rev. Smit. The conference will be held in Provident Village in Marikina, starting at 8:00 a.m. Registration is Php 50 per person.  All are welcome. Please plan to attend, and please invite others to attend, too.  A sign-up sheet will be available soon. [cf. flyer below]

  

• Let's remember these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines in our prayers daily. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace for all their labors.
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Issue 43 - September 2017

Pamphlets We print pamphlets written by our members and those from other Reformed churches of like-minded faith. They include a wide range of topics from doctrines to church history and practical Christian living. These pamphlets serve to promote knowledge of the true God as expressed in the Reformed faith. NEW Pamphlet! THREE CUPS By Rev Carl Haak (Reformed Witness Hour) "Of all the truths of the sufferings of Jesus Christ there are none so dear as the truth that He suffered voluntarily. He was not dragged to the cross against His will. He did not endure His suffering as a passive victim, reluctantly, with cold resignation. But He went to the cross and endured His suffering willingly, zealously, and voluntarily...    Scripture presents this truth to us in a figure of speech, in the figure of a cup which He willingly drank. All the sufferings necessary to make full payment for our sins were poured into a cup which the Father presented to His Son, the Son of God, who knew what was in that cup and who loved us, drank the cup, and then dashed the empty cup on the ground before the cross." Read to find out more of our Lord's willing suffering for His people. Click hereto view our catalogue of pamphlets. Click here to make an order. All pamphlets are free. CERC reserves some discretion regarding large orders and/or orders from those outside Singapore. Featured Book For local orders (S'pore), please contact Ms Daisy Lim at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For international orders, click here. Knowing God in the Last Days by Mark Hoeksema From the RFPA website: "Knowing God in the Last Days is an explanation of the general epistle of Peter to the early New Testament church. The primary theme of the letter is the knowledge of God, a concept that occurs many times and in various contexts throughout the book. This short epistle contains a wealth of instruction for the church today. The secondary theme of 2 Peter is the application of the knowledge of God to the last days in which we live. Especially in his third chapter, Peter reveals to the church the knowledge of God as it relates to the end times. Based on exegesis of the Greek text, this commentary gives clarity of explanation to God’s people regarding necessary and important aspects of today’s Christian life. May all who read be edified." Audio Recordings Click to listen to the latest sermons in the series on Galations: Why Then The Law? Heirs in Christ   Upcoming Events!   Mooncake Gospel Meeting Invite your friends and loved ones to the upcoming mooncake gospel meeting on 7th Oct! Details in the poster below. Reformation Day Conference 2017 Come commemorate the 500th year of the Reformation with us this RDC! Details in the poster below. CKCKS Camp 2017 Our annual CKCKS Camp is back! Save the dates! Theme: Examine Yourselves (2 Cor 13:5) Dates: 19-22 Dec 2017 Location: Aloha Loyang Sea View Bungalow 1 Registration: 12 Nov to 3 Dec For more information, visit http://ckckscamp.weebly.com/ Past Events...   CERC 30th Anniversary On 23rd Sep, CERC celebrated her 30th anniversary. There was an exhortation based on our church theme, "Be Ye Holy", various song presentations as well as greetings from friends in sister churches, followed by cake-cutting and fellowship over dinner. We are thankful to the Lord for His preserving Hand over us all these years. May He keep CERC as a faithful church, shining for Him in this region of the world. Ps 90:1-2 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. The youths' presentation on "By the Gentle Waters". Click to listen! CK/CKS Outing In our recent CKCKS outing, the youths had a time of sports and games at Bishan Park, during which some of us were doubled over in laughter. We were joined by two visitors from Washington, Sarah Kleyn and Lisa Heystek. For the first game, we had to try and a insert a small tube through the mouth of a bottle while it dangled from a string tied to our waists.  The second game was an animal relay in which participants had to transport a ball to and fro while moving like a duck, kangaroo or crab.

Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church We are a Reformed Church that holds to the doctrines of the Reformation as they are expressed in the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dordt. Lord’s Day services on Sunday at 930 am & 2 pm • 11 Jalan Mesin, #04-00, Standard Industrial Building, Singapore 368813 • Pastor: Rev Andy Lanning  • www.cerc.org.sg

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First PRC of Grand Rapids, MI and the Reformed Witness Hour Committee announce the messages scheduled for October 2017 on the RWH radio program.

Rev. Bill Bruinsma, pastor of Pittsburgh PRC (Pennsylvania) begins his four-month service for the RWH program, as he starts a new series on Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians (cf. schedule of messages below).

October 1 - Thanks for the Church, I Thess.1:1-4

October 8 - Followers of the Lord, I Thess.1:6-8

October 15 - Entrusted with the Gospel, I Thess.2:3-4

October 22 - Receiving the Word of God, I Thess. 2:13

October 29 - God's Saints: The Crown of Rejoicing, I Thess.2:19-20

You are encouraged to listen to these important messages and to let others know about them too. Help spread the word about the Reformed Witness Hour, now in its 76th year of broadcasting the truths of God's sovereign, particular, efficacious grace!

Use the attached flyer (pdf) to spread the news of these important gospel messages!

PO Box 1230, Grand Rapids MI, 49501 | www.reformedwitnesshour.org | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Classis West met on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, in Hull, IA PRC.

Rev. Nathan Langerak (Crete PRC) served as chair, and Rev. John Marcus (First, Edmonton PRC) as clerk.

The newly appointed Stated Clerk of Classis West, Rev. Josh Engelsma, has now completed his first official public report, which now follows, along with some pictures sent in from various observers.

While Classis West did not officially convene until Wednesday, September 27, two noteworthy events took place the day before.

The highlight of the day was the examination of Pastor-elect Matt DeBoer (Edgerton, MN PRC). After careful examination in all branches of theology and the main subjects of practical theology (cf. picture above). 

Classis West voted unanimously to approve the brother for ordination into the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC, and informed the Council of Edgerton PRC that she may proceed to his ordination and installation. That will take place Friday evening, Sept.29, at 7 pm (CT) in Edgerton PRC.

We rejoice with Pastor-elect DeBoer and his wife and their families and thank God for His sustaining grace evident during the examination.

Pastor-elect Matt De Boer (with wife Kelsey) receiving his classical diploma from Rev. N. Langerak

 
Some of the (young) audience in attendance at Classis (local Christian school children).

On Tuesday, Sept.26 an Officebearers' Conference on the Five Solas of the Reformation was held, also in Hull PRC (cf. flyer below). If you would like to listen to the speeches on each of the solas, visit this special Sermonaudio link.

On this final Lord's Day of September 2017 (Sept. 24) we note the following news and information from PRC congregations, denominational committees, and mission fields.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• The Council of Byron Center PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC), C. Griess (Calvary PRC, Hull IA) and A. Lanning (CERC, Singapore). A congregational meeting will be held on October 1 after the evening service to call one of these men.
• On Sept.10 Cand. S. Regnerus received the call from the congregation of Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI). He has up to six weeks to consider this call.
  
• Cand. Brian Feenstra is considering the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) (Received Sept.3).
  
• On August 27 Candidate Justin Smidstra ACCEPTED the call from First PRC of Holland MI, declining the call from Southwest PRC. He will be examined, D.V., at a special meeting of Classis East in Georgetown PRC on October 18.
  
• On August 27 Candidate Matt DeBoer ACCEPTED the call from Edgerton PRC. He will be examined at the meeting of Classis West in Hull, IA this week (cf. below).
• On August 13 Candidate Joe Holstege ACCEPTED the call to Zion PRC. He will be examined, D.V., at a special meeting of Classis East in Georgetown PRC on October 18.
• Candidates Jon Langerak  and David Noorman are both assisting pastors and congregations in the Grand Rapids area (Georgetown PRC and Hudsonville PRC, respectively) while they wait for calls.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• The installation of Rev. Doug Kuiper as professor of church history took place this past Wednesday, September 20, at Faith PRC in Jenison, MI. For more on this significant event, visit this page.

• CLASSIS WEST: Classis West will meet this Wednesday, September 27, in Hull (IA) PRC, with the agenda involving the examination of Pastor-elect Matthew De Boer among other busniess.
  • Pastor-elect Matthew De Boer will be leading a worship service at Hull PRC Tuesday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m. as part of his Classical Examination. 
  • A Classis West Conference on The Five Solas and How They Matter for the Ministry will be held at Hull PRC on Tuesday, September 26 starting at 9:00 a.m.  Lunch will be served with a free-will offering.  All are invited to attend.  *[cf. attached pdf and flyer image below]

• Classis East met on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Grandville PRC. For the report, visit this page.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Reformed Book Outlet: Through the month of September, we are once again selling selected volumes of the Protestant Reformed Psalm Singing Choir (formerly called "Fitting Praises") for $3.00 each. This includes volumes 3,4,6,8, and 15, and each CD contains different Psalter numbers.  These CDs make great gifts, especially for shut-ins, and newly married couples.  Call 616-669-6730, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• A new PRC Psalter app (Android) has been developed by Hope PRC member Jonathan Vermeer. You will find it in the Google Play store at this link. The app includes lyrics and tunes to all of our Psalter #s and links to the Psalms themselves. Plus, it has a special "night mode" setting for use in the dark (as, for example, for campfire singing).

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Todays' message by radio pastor Rev. C. Haak is "Who is Jesus?", based on Matthew 1:21.
  
  • NEW RWH Station - The Cornerstone PRC Word and Deed committee has partnered with the Reformed Witness Hour to air their messages on the radio in the Chicago area. Beginning today, September 10, the broadcast can be heard every Sunday at 4:00PM on WYLL 1160AM or on the internet at www.1160hope.com. Please tune in and encourage others to do so as opportunity arises in your personal witnessing.

 MISSION NEWS:

• On Sept.17 Rev. A. Spriensma was installed as home missionary, having been called by Byron Center PRC.
  
• On Sept.17 The congregation of Doon PRC voted to call Rev. R. Smit (pastor, First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines.
  

 
Missionary-pastor D. Holstege leading the 7M pastors' meeting (Dec. 2016) - cf. note below.

• From the bulletin of Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  

  • Rev. Holstege will preach both sermons today and teach the Church Order from 10:15-10:45. Rev. Kleyn will preach for Maranatha PRC today.

  • This Wed, at 7:30 pm, Rev. Holstege will teach the Canons of Dordt, Head 5, Art. 12-13. “This certainty of perseverance…is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in every tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering and in confessing the truth, and of solid rejoicing in God…”

  • This Saturday at 9:00 am, Rev. Kleyn will teach the catechism class for the children. The children should prepare lesson 15 in the OT History for Juniors.

• And from the bulletin of the Maranatha PRC in Valanzuela City we learn about these special events:
  • The 7M pastors’ classes will be held on Tuesday (Sept. 26) at 9:30 a.m. in Provident Village, Marikina City, DV. Both of the standing committees of the Classis plan to hold meetings during the afternoon of this Tuesday, September 26, at Provident Christian Church — Committee #2 at 1:00 p.m., and Committee #1 at 3:30 p.m.
  • A delegation of the Contact Committee of the PRCA plans to visit the PRCP in the Philippines (and also the CERC in Singapore) this October and November. The delegation consists of Rev. R. Smit and Elder David Kregel. The visit is part of the sister-church relationship that is being established between the PRCP and the PRCA. The delegation hopes to be in the Philippines from October 26 through November 6, the Lord willing.

  • A Reformation Day Conference is being planned for Tuesday, October 31. The theme is “Reformation 500: The Anniversary.” The speakers will be Rev. Holstege, Rev. Kleyn, and Rev. Smit. The conference will be held in Provident Village in Marikina, starting at 8:00 a.m. Registration is Php 50 per person.  All are welcome. Please plan to attend, and please invite others to attend, too.  A sign-up sheet will be available soon. [cf. flyer below]

  

• Let's remember these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines in our prayers daily. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace for all their labors.
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