Print this page

PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of March 17, 2019

Ephesians 2 8On this eleventh Lord's Day of 2019, March 17, 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) is considering the call from Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI), received on March 3.

  • From the bulletin of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) today: "New Trio for our congregation consists of Rev. Erik Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), Rev. Martyn McGeown (Covenant PRCNI), and Rev. Martin VanderWal (Wingham, ON).  A Congregational meeting is set for next Sunday, March 24th, after the afternoon service, to call a man of God’s choosing to serve here."

  • On March 10 Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC) declined the call from Grandville PRC to serve as minister-on-loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore.

  • From Grandville PRC's bulletin today: "The Council presents the following trio for MOL to Singapore: Revs J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), G. Eriks (Hudsonville), C. Spronk (Faith). The congregational meeting to call one of these ministers will be March 24 after the Sunday evening worship service."

  • From Georgetown PRC's (Hudsonville, MI) bulletin today 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."

  • As a follow-up to the note in Byron Center PRC's bulletin last week, we find this item of interest this week: "Investigation into the startup of a daughter congregation - As a result of the meeting this past Tuesday, the following men were elected to the steering committee: Mike Kooienga, Joe Lubbers, Sid Miedema, Chad Mingerink, Duane Mingerink, and Rich Sleda. The steering committee will meet Monday, March 18 at 8 PM at church."

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

SemCornerstone 2 

PRC Seminary News:

  • The seminary has now completed eight weeks of the second semester. 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:

“All who hear the gospel face repentance and faith as a duty and calling, but to this is always added a particular promise, so that the general command that comes to all men through the preaching is always accompanied by a particuclar promise made only to those who repent and believe, that is, to the elect."  (Prof. Herman Hanko, Corrupting the Word of God: The History of the Well-meant Offer, p. 95.)

  • 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!

  • Only minor work was done last week on the seminary addition project (new archives and offices), as it was a wet and windy week. But, planning and preparations continue, also for the library renovation part of the project this summer. For the latest updates and pictures, visit this blog post.

  • *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.

EPC Lanceston 3

*The church building of the EPC in Launceston, Tasmania (see the note below). For news on this faithful Presbyterian denominational "down under", visit this page.

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Berean PRC:
    • "Rev. Ibe will lead us in our worship services today.
    • Elder Alann and Sis. Vicky Peñaverde will join our brothers and sisters in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija today. Elder Alann 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. L. Trinidad, our pastor, will lead us in both services. After the second service he will continue teaching the Revelation.

    • 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):
    • "We have received yet another disappointment to the call for MOL. The Lord has shown us once again that it is not His will to call, this time, Rev Haak to be our MOL. Isa 55: 8 & 9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
      ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Brethren, let us not be disheartened or become desperate and despondent but
      let us wait with patience for His good timing, for we are confident that our Jehovah-Jireh will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, Phil 4:19.

      The care of God has been evident in the continuous and uninterrupted supply of our pulpit for the past year! If you could recall, last year we only had one Sunday where our pulpit was not filled! How good and gracious God has been to us! We are deeply thankful and grateful to God for our sister church, PRCA, who have been diligently and faithfully working on the supplies for our pulpit. Let us continue to pray earnestly with patience for God’s timely provision of a MOL in due time."

    • From Grandville PRC's bulletin today re calling a MOL: "The Council presents the following trio for MOL to Singapore: Revs J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), G. Eriks (Hudsonville), C. Spronk (Faith). The congregational meeting to call one of these ministers will be March 24 after the Sunday evening worship service."

    • 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.

BL header lighthouse
Are you receiving and reading the Beacon Lights? It's not only for young people. Visit the homepage to find out more!

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. Looking for items on the nature and attributes of God? Visit this page for more information.

  • 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

 GT PRC run fight lead 2019
*Learn about the upcoming Georgetown PRC Young Men's Conference below

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • *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.

  • 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.  Registration for chaperones is now open!  Please visit our website at prcconvention.com to register.

  • Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat updates: "Registration is now open! We will post the link to our Facebook page and plan to post the link in upcoming bulletins. Complete the forms on our website to secure your spot! We plan to cap out at 60 retreaters, so make sure to register early on! If you have any questions about the registration form, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or message us on our Facebook group: Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat 2019. We look forward to seeing you!"
     
  • 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.

Acts 2 38

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.
    • The Dorr Bible study meets this Thursday, March 21, at 7:30 PM. We plan to start our discussion at John 5:15. Please bring friends and join us at the public library in Dorr.

United Kingdom:

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:
    • "Rev. Smit will preach both times today. He will finish his presentation on the Synod of Dordt’s concern for Sabbath observance after the first worship service.
    • Rev. Holstege will teach and preach for the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto today.
    • Rev. Holstege and his family plan to travel to Negros Occidental tomorrow. Rev. Holstege will teach the pastors’ classes in Sipalay on Tuesday. The Holstege family will spend a few more days in the Sipalay area and return to Manila on Friday, D.V."

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 17 March 2019