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News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of May 5, 2019

Ps27 4On this eighteenth Lord's Day of 2019, May 5, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • On April 28 Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC, Jenison, MI) received the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB).

  • Last Sunday (April 28) Rev. W. Langerak preached his farewell sermon in SE PRC (Grand Rapids, MI). Next Sunday morning (May 12), with Prof. D. Kuiper leading the service, he will be installed as the third pastor in Trinity PRC's history (Hudsonville, MI).

  • The Council of Southeast PRC has announced a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. B. Huizinga (Hope, Redlands, CA), Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace, Spokane, WA) and Rev. J. Mahtani (Cornerstone, St. John, IN).
  • Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI) has this special notice in her bulletin concerning an upcoming public event:

    India Program: Georgetown PRC invites you to a slide program on the work of the PRCV of Vellore India in the spread of the Reformed faith Sunday, May 12, at 8:00 pm at Georgetown PRC. Pastor Paul Raj will relate the history of the Vellore Congregation, the outreach into Hindu villages with the Reformed faith, the training of area pastors, the group of doctors and students from the Christian Medical College and their zeal for the faith, and the present opposition of the Indian government to Christianity.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Classis East:

  • Classis East has its regular spring meeting this Wednesday at Georgetown, at 8:00 a.m. In addition to the regular business there are two protests, one appeal, and one overture. Pray for wisdom, love, and truth to be granted to the delegates.

HCHS May 2019 visit 2
*Special guests at the seminay this past week - students from Heritage Christian HS in Dyer, IN

PRC Seminary News:

  • The seminary has now completed fourteen weeks of the second semester, with one week of regular classes before exams. Our seniors are busy prepping for their synodical exam in mid-June, while the underclassmen are busy preparing for finals and their major papers. Pray for the faculty and students that they may finish the semester well.

  • On Thursday morning May 2, a group of students from Heritage Christian High School in Dyer, IN visited the seminary as part of a church history tour (see picture above). The students participated in devotions, sat in on two classes, and enjoyed pizza with us for lunch. This week the seminary will host the 4th grade class from Hope PR Christian School.

  • Work continues on the Spring 2019 issue of the PRTS Journal. Look for that in upcoming weeks!
  • If you have not yet done so, visit 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! The library is also online there (under Resources). If you are looking for a particular book to read or use, or just want to browse, visit the library page.
  • Work continues on the seminary addition project, both inside and out (new archives and offices) even though it was a wet week. This past week more of the interior walls were framed, and preparation work was done for the HVAC systems. Plans and preparations continue for the library renovation part of the project this summer (starting as soon as the semester is completed!). Visit the seminary news section for pics and more information.

  • *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.

Ibe Trinidad pastoor dordt400 2019
*Rev. L. Trinidad and Rev. V.Ibe with Dan Pastoor at the seminary's Dordt400 conference

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Berean/Maranatha PRCs:
    • *Rev. V. Ibe and Rev. L. Trinidad returned to the Philippines this week after their time in the U.S. to attend the Dordt400 conference sponsored by PR Seminary.
  • Rev. Daniel & Sharon Kleyn are currently on 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:
    • Rev. A. denHartog and his wife are currently serving in the congregation.
    • 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 (April 2019) may be found on this page. 
  • Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
    • Prof. D. Engelsma and his wife remain in N. Ireland yet today, while Rev. Stewart and Mary were in the U.S. for the seminary Dordt400 conference. This is the final Sunday Prof. Engelsma is preaching on Romans 7.

    • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted (December 2018).
    • Read the latest issue of Covenant Reformed News! That issue (March 2019) can be found here.
  • *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.
    • Rev. Mark Shand and his wife Susie were recenbtly in the U.S. for the PRC Seminary Dordt400 conference in Michigan.

    • The EPCA has this special notice, especially for our young people and young adults: The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia would love to invite any young people and young adults aged 13 and up to their biennial youth camp. This youth camp will be held in Brisbane from the 28th of December 2019 - 3rd January 2020. Rev. Martyn McGeown from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship of the Republic of Ireland will be our guest speaker. This is a great time to meet other young people, fellowship with them and learn about our Saviour. Please contact Megan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a flyer or for additional information.

ChildreninChurch 1
Why do we have our children stay in the church services with the adults? Visit this page to find out!

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.

  • 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. For the April newsletter, see the attachment to this post.

  • 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. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

RWH Logo 2019

 BL Poster Hope Page 1
Subscribe to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • NEWS about the 2019 PRYP's Convention:
    • Southwest & Providence PRCs are 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.

    • The 2019 convention registration is now open for conventioneers!  All information is available on the convention website. Please use this website to complete your registration and all necessary forms that go with it. We are looking forward to a great week of fellowship and fun! Registration for chaperones is now open!  Please visit our website at prcconvention.com to register.

  • Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat updates: Registration for our 2019 retreat has been opened. Thank you to all that have registered already.  Come join us July 1-5, for a week filled with spiritual encouragement, white water rafting, campfires, hiking and other fun activities with like-minded believers! Check out our website (https://lyndenprcya.wixsite.com/mysite) to register and for more details. We also have a Facebook page (Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat 2019). Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions you may have. We look forward to hosting all of you in Washington!

  • The EPCA has this special notice, especially for our young people and young adults: The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia would love to invite any young people and young adults aged 13 and up to their biennial youth camp. This youth camp will be held in Brisbane from the 28th of December 2019 - 3rd January 2020. Rev. Martyn McGeown from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship of the Republic of Ireland will be our guest speaker. This is a great time to meet other young people, fellowship with them and learn about our Saviour. Please contact Megan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a flyer or for additional information.

  • Special notice (Don't forget the need is great!): 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 latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (April 2019 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

Paulraj teaching 2019
*Pastor Paulraj teaching his Sola Gratia Class to men in Vellore
(cf. note below)

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.

United Kingdom:

  • Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
    • A regular activity noted in her bulletin: "Bible Study: Tuesday 8 PM in Corbally beginning at 1 Peter 4:1."
    • The March 2019 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station was received and posted recently.

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. Holstege will preach both times today and next Sunday, Lord willing. The second service today will also be preparatory for the Lord’s Supper.
    • Beginning today, there will be a collection on the first Sunday of every month for the “Seminary Student Assistance Fund.” Please prayerfully consider your offering to support our future seminary students.
    • If there are men who desire to enter the seminary who still have questions about the entrance requirements, please contact Bro. Sonny Umali (clerk of Committee #1)."

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.

India:

  • *Let us remember to pray for the Lord's blessing on Georgetown PRC's labor in Vellore, India. From GT-PRC's bulletin today we find this special notice: " Georgetown PRC invites you to a slide program on the work of the PRCV of Vellore India in the spread of the Reformed faith Sunday, May 12, at 8:00 pm at Georgetown PRC. Pastor Paul Raj will relate the history of the Vellore Congregation, the outreach into Hindu villages with the Reformed faith, the training of area pastors, the group of doctors and students from the Christian Medical College and their zeal for the faith, and the present opposition of the Indian government to Christianity."
  • Pastor Paul Raj is keeping busy in other ways too while in the U.S., as this note from GT-PRC's bulletin this week indicates: "Pastor Raj Schedule - Today Pastor Raj worships in Cornerstone, IN. PRC and gives a presentation of his work after their evening service. Last night he accompanied pastor Mahtani on a monthly Bible Study with 6 families from India now living in Aurora, IL. Monday morning he will give a chapel in Crete PR School and on Tuesday afternoon at Adam’s school."

  • And we remember our sister church's work (CERCS) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh. This missionary-pastor just gave a presentation on his work there at Byron Center PRC (April 28) while here for the seminary's Dordt400 conference.

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. Rev. Titus was also here for the Dordt400 conference.
Last modified on 06 May 2019