On Sunday, June 30, 2013, Rev.Clayton Spronk announced that he was led to decline the call extended to him from the Faith PRC of Jenison, MI. Rev.Spronk is currently pastor of the Peace PRC of Lansing, IL and begins serving on July 1 (through Dec.31, 2013) as mentor for the Seminary internship of Joshua Engelsma.

Meet Our New Guest Blogger!

We welcome guest blogger Rev. Clayton Spronk, pastor of Peace Protestant Reformed Church in Lansing, IL)! Rev. Spronk will be blogging for us several times a month, taking us first through a brief study of Richard Smit's newly released book, The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Look for his first post to appear on our blog on Monday, July 1! Click here for more information.

From the Council's new trio of Revs. C. Haak (Georgetown, Hudsonville, MI), R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace, Spokane, WA), and W. Langerak (SE, Grand Rapids, MI) Doon PRC congregation voted to extend a call to Rev.C.Haak on Sunday, June 23.

In connection with Synod's expression of thanks to Mr.Don Doezema for his many years (over 25!) of service to the PRC Seminary (registrar, etc.) and churches (Stated Clerk of Synod, etc.) during their Thursday session (June 13), the Theological School Committee thanked Mr.Doezema publicly at the Seminary graduation program Thursday evening and presented him with a gift of a new camera. Quite surprised by the attention, Mr.Doezema did make it to the podium to express gratitude for the privilege of serving the Seminary community and the churches for so many years.

On Thursday evening, June 13 the Protestant Reformed Seminary held its 2013 commencement exercises in the Hudsonville (MI) PRC. Having completed his examination before Synod earlier that day, Candidate Erik Guichelaar (Wingham, ON) received his diploma for completing the regular course of studies in the PR Theological School. Prof.Barrett Gritters delivered the address, speaking on "A Confessional Ministry", calling the brother to carry on a ministry of preaching and teaching grounded in the Scriptures as summed in the historic Christian and Reformed creeds of the church. Special music was privided by Jim Noorman, who sang "Sheep May Safely Graze", accompanied by his wife Faith. A time of refreshments and fellowship was held afterward in the church's fellowship hall. To view the program fror the evening, see the attached pdf.

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Friday, June 14, 2013: The last day of synod was another day of giving thanks to God for His great goodness.  The morning devotions began with Psalm 145, a Psalm of praise to God.  Every session of synod begins with prayer.  The many heartfelt prayers of the delegates focused on giving thanks to God for His undeserved goodness. 

            When synod made decisions regarding the work in the Philippines, Rev. Smit, one of our missionaries in the Philippines, addressed synod.  He expressed the gratitude of the missionaries to the churches for their interest in and support of Christ’s work in the Philippines.  Rev. Smit also brought the greetings of the churches with whom they work in the Philippines by reading a letter of greeting from the combined consistories of the Berean PRC and the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.  Rev. Van Overloop expressed words of thanks for the dedicated labors of Rev. Smit, Rev. Kleyn, and their families, on behalf of our churches.

Thursday, June 13, 2013:  Today was a day of continued gratitude to God.  Mr. Erik Guichelaar  successfully sustained his examination before synod.  He was examined in Church History, Church Polity, OT History, NT History, and Practica.  With thanks to God, synod approved his examination and declared Mr. Guichelaar a candidate of the ministry of the Word and Sacraments eligible for call on or after July 13, 2013. As churches we have many reasons to give thanks – for the truth of God’s Word, the gifts God has given to this young man who confessed the truth so beautifully, and a seminary which faithfully teaches these truths so the church receives the truth each Sunday. (Picture is of Sem.E.Guichelaar with his wife Cherith and daughter Kennedy, and his parents, Gerry and Alice Guichelaar, from Wingham, ON.)