First PRC of Grand Rapids, MI and the Reformed Witness Hour Committee announce the messages scheduled for June 2016 on the RWH radio program.

Rev. Rodney Kleyn, pastor of Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA) concludes his four-month service for the RWH program and his special series on the second coming of Christ and the signs that announce it.

You are encouraged to take in these timely messages and to let others know about them too. Help spread the word about the Reformed Witness Hour, celebrating in 2016 its 75th year of broadcasting the truths of God's sovereign, particular grace!

Below is the schedule of messages, which you will also find below in flyer form and attached in pdf form. For stations and time of broadcast, visit the RWH website, where you may also listen to and download past messages from the archive section.

 June 5, 2016 – The Final Judgment - Revelation 20:11-15

June 12, 2016 - Hell: Everlasting Punishment - Matthew 25:41, 46

June 19, 2016 – The New Heaven and New Earth - Revelation 21:1-3

June 26, 2016 - Watching and Ready for the Return of Christ - Matthew 25:1-13

From the Council of SW PRC, the calling church for the mission in Pittsburgh, PA, comes this significant note:

At the May 11, 2016 meeting of Classis East, approval was given to organize the Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Fellowship as an instituted church.  SW Protestant Reformed Church was instructed to organize this congregation on the behalf of Classis.  With thanksgiving to God, SW Protestant Reformed Church’s Council, as well as the Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Fellowship, invites you to Pittsburgh on June 24, 2016, at 7 PM, for this organizational service.  Everyone is invited for a time of refreshment and fellowship following the service.

From the Council's trio of Revs. Allen Brummel (Sioux Falls, SD), Garry Eriks (Hudsonville, MI) and Brian Huizinga (Redlands, CA), the congregation of First PRC of Holland voted on Sunday, May 22, 2016, to call Rev.G. Eriks.

May the Lord shine the clear light of the knowledge of His will on the heart and mind of this servant of His, and give him the grace to follow it.

Monday morning, May 23, 2016, on behalf of the PRC Contact Committee, Professors R.Cammenga and B.Gritters will travel to Namibia and South Africa until June 7. 

They will lecture in South Africa for old contacts. New developments in the Namibian churches, visited in 2010, have prompted these churches to ask for another visit. 

Please pray that the Lord will prosper these efforts in the promotion of the Reformed faith.

Our missionary in the Philippines, along with the Foreign Mission Committee and the calling church, Doon PRC Council, have just published their latest newsletter.

The May 2016 issue, penned by Missionary-pastor D.Kleyn, provides information on the recent visitors/helpers to the field and the ongoing busyness of the labors in the various places in the Philippines. He also calls attention to and expresses deep gratitude for the provision of a second missionary for the field - Rev. Daniel Holstege.

Let's remember to pray for the Kleyns as they serve the Lord and His people in distant lands - and for the Holsteges as they prepare for the labors and life of this field. May they all experience the unfailing presence of their Lord and the faithful support of their fellow-saints.

You will find the full newsletter below in both print and image form, and in addition the May newsletter is attached here in pdf form. You may also visit the Kleyn's blog to see a more personal side to the life and work in this foreign land.

PRCA FOREIGN MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

MAY 2016 NEWSLETTER

PRCA Missionary: Rev. Daniel Kleyn – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Greetings from the Philippines to our fellow saints in the Protestant Reformed Churches. It has been quite a few months since the last newsletter, thus high time to fill you in again with some Philippine mission field news. Here are some of the highlights for each of the past months.

DECEMBER 2015

• At the beginning of the month of December, we enjoyed a one week visit from some of the Kleyns (4 brothers and 2 nieces). For three of them, this was their first time here. In addition to visiting and worshiping in two of the PRCP churches on Sunday, we also had time to do some sightseeing together. The visits by family are definitely a highlight.

• A delegation of the PRCA’s Contact Committee was here from December 11-21. Prof. Dykstra and Prof.Cammenga came on this visit. Their purpose was to meet with the Consistories of the PRCP in order to begin the work toward a sister-church relationship between the PRCA and the PRCP, something the PRCP requested. Two meetings were held during which inquiry was especially made concerning agreement in doctrine, worship, walk of life, and church government. It was evident to all involved that the Lord has blessed the two denominations with unity in all these areas. Discussion also took place concerning the process of actually establishing a sister-church relationship. The CC of the PRCA now plans to report to Synod concerning their visit and to seek Synod’s permission to proceed. The professors each preached twice on the Sundays they were here and were thus able also to meet the members of the churches. Each of them also gave a speech for our 7M pastors’ classes. Their visit was greatly appreciated. The PRCP is very thankful for this positive response to the request for a sister-church relationship and grateful that the process has now begun. May God’s blessing rest on this work.

JANUARY 2016

• Rev. Daniel & Leah Holstege visited in January. Leah came for one week (January 8-15), and Rev. Holstege for three (January 8-25). Rev. Holstege had opportunity to preach and teach in most of the churches that are part of the PRCP and/or part of our mission work. This included lectures he gave for the pastors’ classes in Manila (7M) as well as the pastors’ classes in Negros (SNO). It was good to receive his help, and the saints here enjoyed hearing him and getting to know them, too. Little did the Holsteges (or we) know at the time that he would be the next minister to receive the call to serve as a missionary here. But the Lord no doubt gave them the opportunity to visit here as a way to help them in their consideration of that call. We also look back to their visit now with much thanks to the Lord for the time we could spend with Rev. & Leah. We did not really know them that well (nor they us, for that matter), thus it was good to have this time to get to know each other.

FEBRUARY 2016

• The main event in February was the annual delegation visit of Doon PRC and the Foreign Mission Committee. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit of Rev. Engelsma and Deacon Lee Hoekstra, along with Lee’s wife Joann. The delegation was able to visit and meet all of the churches and groups in which I am currently working. This gave them a good taste of the mission labors, along with some of the challenges in the work. Their time among us was a great encouragement to us in the work. Joann’s presence (along with that of the other wives who have been here in the past months) was greatly appreciated by Sharon, as well as by the saints in the churches and among our contacts here. We thank the delegation for their visit, and the denomination for the interest in and support for the work that such a visit shows.

• Another significant event in February was the Classis meeting of the PRCP, which was held in Maranatha PRC on the 25th. Rev. Ibe chaired the meeting. One of the main items on the agenda was the request of Rev. Leovino Trinidad (pastor of the Maranatha PRC) to be examined by the Classis according to Article 9 of the Church Order with a view to being declared a minister of the Word and Sacraments within the PRCP. Classis approved the request on the ground that the requirements of Article 9 of the Church Order had been met, and subsequently scheduled his examination for the next regular Classis meeting (Monday, June 13). Classis also adopted an exam schedule, with the 12 sections of the exam being divided equally between Rev. Flores, Rev. Ibe, and myself. Rev. Trinidad is now busy preparing himself for this examination. We pray the Lord uses it to provide another faithful minister of the gospel within the PRCP.

MARCH 2016

• The main event in March (really in the whole of the past year) was that the Lord provided another man to serve as a missionary in the Philippines. We are both very thankful to the Lord for leading Rev. Holstege to accept the call. We were very excited to hear the good news, as were also the members of the churches and groups here. We are grateful to the Holsteges for their willingness to take up this work alongside us. We especially thank the Lord for His faithfulness in calling and sending Rev. Holstege. We look forward to the Holsteges arriving here and to the many years, the Lord willing, of laboring together in the Philippines.

• A longtime contact, Ray Rodriguez, organized a conference in the San Pedro CRC and asked me to give three speeches there on Friday, March 25. The topics were Common Grace vs Particular Grace, The Doctrine of Double Predestination, and Objections to Predestination. Approximately 30 people attended, including a good number of young people and young adults from the San Pedro CRC. The conference went well and the speeches were well received. I was pleasantly surprised by this with regard to the issue of common grace vs particular grace. The elders asked me more than once if I would be able to come and speak again. They also asked if I might be available to preach for them on Sundays sometime.

• Rev. Spriensma and his wife Alva arrived on March 25. On their first Sunday here, Rev. Spriensma preached for both worship services in the Berean Protestant Reformed Church. This gave the Spriensmas the opportunity to become reacquainted with the saints they had come to know and to love in the BPRC during their 5 years in the Philippines (2002-2007). They thoroughly enjoyed this, as did the members of the BPRC. Rev. Spriensma also preached and lectured in some of the other churches and groups during their time here. We once again enjoyed this visit. In some ways it was an opportunity to repay them for their hospitality to us when we visited them here in 2003 (not knowing at that time that we would one day be living and working here in their place). The Spriensmas returned home again on April 4.

APRIL 2016

• The PRC in Bulacan hosted a Youth Conference on Saturday, April 9. The theme was “Biblical Courtship and Marriage,” and speeches were given by Rev. Ibe, Rev. Flores, and myself. Attendance was around 120, which included many visitors from outside the PRCP as well as a good number of adults/parents (You’re never too old to learn about dating!). Rev. Spriensma was able to attend and to participate in an open forum and give closing remarks. The speeches were well received and the day an encouragement to all.

• Book sales continue to go very well here, thus Sharon has frequently needed to submit orders for more books from the RFPA. As an example of good sales, we recently sold a combined total of 250 books at two separate conferences, and then also sold and shipped more than 130 books to three different contacts in Negros Occidental. The shipments from the USA take about two months to get here, which means we have often had to tell people, “No stock now!” But three large boxes of books arrived at the beginning of the month, so back-orders have been filled and our shelves are stocked again – for a while. Both we and the saints here thank the churches for the collections which subsidize book prices and thus enable our fellow believers here to obtain Reformed literature at very affordable prices.

• We recently made plans for our biyearly furlough. We are scheduled to leave here on June 14 (the day after the PRCP Classis meets), and to return home again on July 28. We plan to spend the first week in the Midwest, in order to attend Synod and to spend time in our calling church (Doon PRC). Rev. Richard Smit has received permission from his consistory to cover for me for four weeks of our six week absence. We appreciate that very much, as do the saints here. We are beginning to look forward to spending time among you all and with our families. We also hope to spend a good amount of time with the Holsteges.

We thank you for your continued support of the work here and for your prayers for us and the saints. We especially remember the Holsteges in prayer as they begin adjusting to the significant changes they have ahead of them and while they start making the necessary preparations for the move and the work here. Until next time, we send our Christian love and greetings to you all.

Rev. Daniel Kleyn

Following the recent acceptance of the call to serve as second missionary to the Philippines by her previous pastor, Rev. D. Holstege, on Sunday, May 15, 2016 First PRC of Holland, MI announced a trio of Revs. Allen Brummel (Sioux Falls, SD), Gary Eriks (Hudsonville), and Brian Huizinga (Redlands, CA) from which to call a new pastor.

The Council has set Sunday evening, May 22, as the date for the congregational meeting and vote.

"Covenant Keepers", the youth ministry of the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore (our sister church), has just released the April 2016 issue of "Salt Shakers" (#37),their youth magazine.

Once again the "SS" is filled with interesting and edifying articles, and our PRC young people especially are invited and encouraged to read it.

Below you will find a note from the "SS" Committee introducing the contents of this issue and images of the cover and table of contents. The entire issue is also attached here in pdf form.

Dear Readers,

We are pleased to bring you Issue 37 of Salt Shakers! Though various circumstances caused the delay of this issue from March to April, we are conscious of the grace of our Lord in sustaining the work of this Reformed magazine. Due to the delay, we will be on track to publish Issue 38 only in July. We thank our readers for their patience and covet your continued prayers for the work.

As Reformed young people, we love our magazine. As always, we trust that God will use these feeble and imperfect works for the edification of many.

Soli Deo Gloria, Chua Lee Yang

One of the three annual meetings of Classis East took place on Wednesday, May 11, at Providence PR Church in Hudsonville, MI.

Besides the normal business of the churches, the agenda included the request of the Pittsburgh PR Fellowship to be organized into an instituted congregation. It also has two protests brought by individuals against decisions taken by Classis in January.

May God graciously bless the deliberations and decisions of the Classis.

UPDATE: The Stated Clerk's official public report is now available and posted below.

Report of Classis East

May 11, 2016

Providence PRC

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Providence PRC.  This was the first time that Providence has hosted a meeting of classis.  The churches were each represented by two delegates.  Rev. G. Eriks was the chairman for this session.

In its first order of business, classis approved the organization of a new congregation in Pittsburgh, PA.  The request for organization came via the council of Southwest PRC.  A sizeable delegation from Pittsburgh was present as was the current home missionary, Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma.  The delegates ad examina from Classis West were present as well and gave concurrence to the decision of classis to organize this congregation.  Southwest PRC was given the responsibility to organize this congregation.  Rev. A. denHartog was appointed as its moderator.  Needless to say, this was a joyous moment for the classis as God,  through the ardent work of its missionary, gave our churches another congregation.  The new congregation will consist of six families (seven if the pastor is included) and five confessing adults.  Two more adults are in the process of making profession of faith.

Classis considered two protests against the decisions of the January, 2016 classis regarding the sustaining of a charge of antinomianism against an appellant.  The first protestant contended that classis, in its January, 2016 decision, adopted grounds that were illogical and contradictory.  Further he contended that Article 79 of the Church Order was misapplied since, he argued, that Article 79 applied only to public sins.  Finally, the protestant contended that a countercharge of antinomianism interfered with the protest and appeal process.   Classis did not sustain this protest.  Classis adopted the advice of its committee of pre-advice that

1) Article 31 does not prohibit a consistory from bringing a charge of sin in the course of a protest or appeal; 2) Article 79 was not used by classis as a ground in its January, 2016 decision; and 3) The decision of classis in January, 2016 gave proof for its upholding the consistory’s charge of antinomianism against the appellant. The protestant failed to cite this part of classis’ decision.  Classis further decided that the recommendation made was not legally before the classis since the requirements of Article 31 of the Church Order had not been met.

The second protestant contended on the basis of Ezekiel 33:6,7 and Article 31 of the Church Order that the right of a believer and/or officebearer who is protesting or appealing, as compelled by their conscience, is prevented or hindered when charges of sin are brought against him in the course of considering his protest.  Classis did not sustain this protest since the brother who brought the appeal to the January, 2016 classis has indeed filed his appeal to synod.  Classis further ruled that it is legitimate for a consistory to raise a charge of sin when there is sufficient evidence of an unbiblical or un-Reformed position set forth in a protest or appeal.

 A notice of appeal to Synod 2016 was received from the brother whose appeal against his consistory had been adjudicated at the January, 2016 meeting of classis.

Classis took note of this appeal and further informed synod: 1) that the brother fails to comply with the Rules of Synod which apply to protests, appeals, and overtures which require brevity and exclude the bringing of new material regarding the appeal. and 2) that the appellant adds new explanations which show agreement with classis’ and his consistory’s  decisions regarding his appeal.

In other business classis received the report of the church visitors, entered closed session to deal with matters of discipline, adopted a classical appointment schedule for Holland PRC and the new Pittsburgh congregation, transferred the Ministerial Credentials of Rev. Daniel Holstege to Classis West, appointed Rev. C. Haak as the moderator for Holland PRC, and approved expenses for the classis’ meeting of $1868.33

Classis will meet next on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at Southwest PRC.

Respectfully submitted,

 Jon J. Huisken, Stated Clerk

And, as of May 26 we may add this note re the organization of the Pittsburgh PR Fellowship:

At the May 11, 2016 meeting of Classis East, approval was given to organize the Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Fellowship as an instituted church.  SW Protestant Reformed Church was instructed to organize this congregation on the behalf of Classis.  With thanksgiving to God, SW Protestant Reformed Church’s Council, as well as the Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Fellowship, invites you to Pittsburgh on June 24, 2016, at 7 PM, for this organizational service.  Everyone is invited for a time of refreshment and fellowship following the service.