Covenant PRC in Ballymena, N.Ireland has published their latest newsletter, the January 2014 edition. Once again pastor Angus Stewart fills this report with many interesting and exciting news items on this congregation's labors in the British Isles. We imbed it here (see below) for you to read, but you may also find it attached in pdf form, as well as on the sister church page. Take the time to read through this newsletter; you will be inspired to support in prayer this energetic pastor and flock.

Special mention should also be made of the upcoming British Reformed Fellowship Conference. This is the advertisement we received from the BRF for those in the U.S.:

Join Reformed believers from around the world at the British Reformed Fellowship family conference in Scotland, Saturday July 26 - Saturday August 2, 2014. Profs. Engelsma and Hanko will be speaking on the vital subject of "Be Ye Holy: The Reformed Truth of Sanctification." For travel information and booking forms, see the conference website (http://brfconference.weebly.com) or contact Cyndi Kalsbeek (1-616-724-4290; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Kristin Crossett (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

In this connection we may also mention that the official, annual visit of the PRC to this sister church through our Contact Committee will take place in the next week. Here's the notice we have received from the "CC":

Rev. Gary Eriks and Mr. Sid Miedema, representing the Contact Committee of our churches, will be visiting our sister-church in N.Ireland and their mission in Limerick from January 23 to February 4.  This is an annual visit to conduct church visitation with the consistory of the Covenant PRC in NI and to strengthen our relationship together.  The denomination is asked to pray that God would use the trip for the furtherance of the truth which unites our denominations.

Shall we be sure to do this?

The PR Seminary is currently on a special schedule due to the postponement of the Interim, which would have met from Jan.6-15, 2014. The faculty has designated this a special time of study preparation for the second semester, with students being given some of their special assignments early so they can begin work on sermons, papers and readings. Continue to pray for the faculty and students as prepare for the start of the second semester, set for next Tuesday, Jan.21.

Prof.B.Gritters along with his wife Lori and elder Deane Wassink and his wife Donna are finishing up their work in the region of Vellore, India this week. Yesterday Prof. Gritters preached in both the English and Tamil congregations. This week Prof. Gritters will be teaching Classes for Sola Gratia Study on the Covenant and leading Bible Studies. The delegation will visit the Grace Foster Home, Village Outreach Churches, and seek to grow in knowledge and fellowship with the RCCV. Remember this delegation in prayer as they carry out this work, say their goodbyes and return home on Friday, D.V.

Junior Ryan Barnhill has just learned from the faculty that he will be taking his internship the second half of this year (July 1- December 31, 2014) in Edgerton (MN) PRC under her pastor, Rev. Douglas Kuiper. Edgerton's Council has approved this proposal and over the next few months will be making preparations with her pastor for the coming of Ryan, his wife Miranda, and daughter Mya. Besides involvement in all the aspects of the life of the Edgerton congregation, the internship will afford Ryan the opportunity to be a part of the work of the Foreign Mission Committee and the Reformed Witness Committee. Ryan and Miranda are excited about the opportunity to spend the six-month internship in one of the congregations of Classis West.

And, finally, don't forget the special invitation that has been extended to visitors to attend selected second semester classes! Visit the link for details and contact information. Hope to see you there!

The Council of Doon (Iowa) PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Rev. K. Koole (Grandville MI PRC), Rev. S. Key (Loveland CO PRC), and Rev. R. Van Overloop (Grace MI PRC).

The congregational meeting to vote on the trio is set for January 19, 2014 after the morning service.

This week Wednesday, January 15, a delegation from Doon’s council and the Foreign Mission Committee will be traveling to the Philippines for nearly two weeks to encourage our missionaries and their families (Revs.D.Kleyn and R.Smit) and evaluate the work there.

Elder Eugene Van Den Top will be the Doon representative and Ron Brands from Edgerton will represent the FMC.

We pray for traveling mercies and for God's rich blessing on their work while there.

Note: We have received word of the delegates' safe arrival. For information and pictures on the delegation's visit, follow the Kleyn's blog.

In her bulletin Doon PRC also carried this note of interest from Missionary D.Kleyn:

"We recently added a new page to our audio and literature website (called “Current News”). Here is the website that should take you to the page where you will be able to click on (“Current News”) tab near the top."

For example, here is what is posted for this month:

January 2014 Schedule

Pastor Vernon Ibe and his wife Melody have published their latest family and church family newsletter. In it they bring us up to date on their personal family life as well as on their life serving in the Berean PRC in Manila, the Philippines. You will learn much about their life and labors from this newsletter. It is included here in image form as well as attached in pdf form.

After a lengthy travel delay due to bad weather in the Eastern U.S. last weekend, Prof. and Mrs.B.Gritters and Elder and Mrs. D.Wassink arrived safely in Vellore, India early Sunday morning. And after a brief rest and a warm welcome, they dug into their work. You may find daily updates and pictures on Georgetown PRC's Facebook page. Here's a sample from Prof.Gritters on the first day of the conference on Reformed church government:

Today I did finish my first section: What IS the church; discussed the idea of the church and then its marks, then the false church--lots of discussion there.

Tomorrow, DV, the calling of the church. First, the offices, and show that the offices of apostle and prophet are no longer in the church after the apostles passed away--thus no miracles; you remember this as part of the questions last year. Then, the WORK of the church as it fits with the three offices.

Then, Thursday, DV, the calling of the member of the church, harmonizing with the three-fold office of believer. Lots of material and not enough time. 

The picture of the white board is my notes and Paul's addition in Tamil script (See the additional pictures at the Facebook link - cjt.)

Lori's hand with a lady of the fellowship at the conference. She and lori were washing hands together, and she spontaneously took Lori's hand and remarked at the different colors. Apicture to show the unity of the church that we've been teaching.

On Sunday, December 29, Rev.W.Bruinsma, missionary-pastor laboring in the Pittsburgh PR Fellowship, declined the call extended to him from Doon PRC on December 8, 2013.

Classis East met on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, in Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids.  The following is the Stated Clerk's public report of this meeting. It is also attached here in pdf form (see below). May the King of His Church bless these decisions for the good of the churches.

Report of Classis East

January 8, 2014

Southeast Protestant Reformed Church

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at the Southeast PRC.  The churches, with the exception of Wingham, were represented by two delegates.  The Wingham delegation was unable to attend because of the weather.

Classis did the usual January duty of elections.  The following were elected to serve as delegates to Synod 2014:  Ministers: Primi:  G. Eriks, C. Haak, K. Koole,

W. Langerak, R. VanOverloop; Secundi: N. Decker, A denHartog, M. DeVries,

J. Slopsema, A. Spriensma.  Elders: Primi: J. Decker, N. Kleyn, H. Langerak,

G. VanBaren, P. VanDerSchaaf; Secundi: D. DeMeester, R. Drnek, R. Faber,

M. Ophoff, D. Rau. 

In other voting, Rev. R. VanOverloop and Rev. D. Holstege were elected as delegates ad examina to three-year terms as primus and secundus delegates respectively. Revs. K. Koole and A. Spriensma were elected as church visitors with Revs. Haak and VanOverloop as alternates.  Rev. H. Bleyenberg was elected to serve a three-year term on the Classical Committee.  The Stated Clerk and Assistant Stated Clerk were appointed to another three-year term.

Classis heard an appeal from a brother about the change of date of the Prayer Day Service by a consistory.  Classis referred this matter back to the committee of pre-advice with the instruction to do further research on and to establish relevancy for the past rulings of broader assemblies on this issue.

In other business, classis heard the report of the church visitors.  The visitors reported that the consistories were doing diligent work and that there was peace and unity among the churches.  Classis granted classical appointments to Faith PRC.  The 2015 subsidy requests from Wingham PRC and Kalamazoo PRC were approved and will be forwarded to Synod 2014 for approval there.

Classis received a request from Rev. James Slopsema for his emeritation effective July 1, 2014.  First PRC concurred with this request.  Classis expressed its heartfelt thanks for Rev. Slopsema who has served as a capable and dedicated undersheperd in our churches for 39 years, 27 of which have been in Classis East.   

The expenses of classis amounted to $147.49.  Classis will meet next on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Trinity PRC.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken

Stated Clerk