News

News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of June 9, 2019

Acts 1 8On this twenty-third Lord's Day of 2019, June 9, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • Today is Pentecost Sunday, when we remember and reflect on our ascended Lord's gift of the Holy Spirit to His church. Join us in worship of our exalted King and celebrate with us this powerful and precious Gift.

  • On June 2 Rev. B. Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) declined the call from Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI - received May 19). The Council has published a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace, Spokane, WA), D. Lee (Bethel, IL), and J. Mahtani (Cornerstone, IN). The congregation plans to vote next Sunday, June 16.

  • Rev. T. Miersma is leading the worship services and preaching for Immanuel PRC's (Lacombe, AB) today. Rev. S. Regnerus will be serving a classical appoinment there the next two Sundays (June 16 and 23).

  • From Pittsburgh PRC's bulletin today we see this special notice: "A hearty thanks to the Byron Center Young People's Society, your chaperones, and Pastor and Stephanie Lanning for traveling to Pittsburgh and spending so much of your time, money and effort working on our church building. An old church building as ours needs a lot of work and you provided that. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, care and willingness to share your gifts with us. You have distributed to the necessity of the saints in our church and it is much appreciated."

  • From a recent bulletin of Limerick Reformed Fellowship: "Pastor [Rev. M. McGeown] and Larisa leave tomorrow (Monday 27 May) for the USA. They will visit Loveland, CO; Hull, IA; and Grand Rapids, MI (and Pastor will preach in Loveland, Hull, Doon, and Holland PR churches). Pastor will also attend the PRC Synod in Grand Rapids, MI, which begins on Tuesday 11 June. Pastor and Larisa plan to arrive back in Ireland on Friday 21 June. While they are in the USA, Rev. Justin Smidstra (Holland, MI) and Rev. Angus Stewart will supply the pulpit here."
  • Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) is currently worshiping at Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI, while she looks for a new location for the congregation. Today, Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. D. Overway are preaching for her.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Senior Retreat: Registration for the Senior Retreat is open. The dates are Sept 17-20 at Gull Lake Ministries (MI). The theme is ‘God’s Care For Us.’ Forms are available at Zion PRC's website. Click on Senior Retreat.

First church
First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI, location of this year's PRC Synod

PRC Synod 2019:

  • The pre-synodical worship service will be held on Monday evening, June 10, at 7:00 P.M. in First PRC of Grand Rapids Rev. R. Van Overloop (president of Synod 2018) will preach the sermon. 
  • Synod will begin its 2019 meetings on June 11, at 8 A.M. in the First PR Church of Grand Rapids. 
  • The two senior seminarians - Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman - will be examined by synod this week. They will peach their specimen sermons on Tuesday morning and then be examined in the other areas starting Tuesday morning, D.V. We pray for these men that the Lord may give them grace to give a good account of their readiness for the ministry of the Word.
  • Seminary graduation will take place, D.V., on Thursday, June 13 in First Church, at 7:30 P.M.  Prof. Dykstra will give the address.

SemCornerstone 2

PRC Seminary News:

  • The seminary has now entered its spring/summer break. Besides preparing for the PRC Synod 2019, the faculty will be busy with various trips and speaking engagements. Our seniors (Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman) are busy prepping for their synodical exam in mid-June, while our Singaporean students (Josiah Tan and Marcus Wee) have returned home. There is still plenty of activity at the seminary as faculty and staff continue their end-of-semester work as well as preparing for the new semester in the Fall.
  • The seminary is open daily during the summer (except for holidays) and staff is available to assist with any needs.
  • Professor Nominees:  The Theological School Committee submitted to Synod 2019 an aggregate list of nominees to replace Prof. R. Cammenga as professor of Dogmatice and O.T. studies—Revs. B. Huizinga, J. Engelsma, C. Griess and R. Kleyn.

  • If you missed the speeches at the seminary's Dordt400 conference, or want to refresh your mind, now's your chance to listen to them! The audio files of the speeches and historical presentations from the conference are now available on Trinity PRC's Sermonaudio channel (the host of the conference). The videos are also now available on the seminary YouTube channel. *If you are interested in CD's or DVD's of the recent Dordt 400 Conference, please send your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  • The Spring issue of the PR Theological Journal is continuing and should be ready in the next few weeks. For back issues, visit the seminary journal page. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, contact the seminary's secretary.
  • Seminary graduation will take place, the Lord willing, Thursday, June 13, in First PRC at 7:30 p.m. Prof. R. Dykstra will give the address.
  • 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). This past week more work was done on the old wall between the library and new addition. Plus, more HVAC work was completed inside and out. Visit the seminary news section for pics and more information.

Pulai Spring resort CERC 2019
*Location of Covenant ERC Church Camp - Date: 10-13 June 2019
Venue: Pulai Spring Resort, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Theme: Holiness: "Walking in the Spirit" - Gal 5:16
Speaker: Rev. A. den Hartog

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following:
    • Rev. A. denHartog and his wife are currently serving the congregation on behalf of the PRC Contact Committee.
    • *From this week's bulletin we find this note: "This week, we have two spiritual events that are happening at the same time but on different sides of the globe. In Singapore, we are having our annual Church Camp in Pulai Spring Resorts, Johor Bahru and in the US, our sister churches of PRCA will convene its PRC 2019 Synod meeting at First PRC Grand Rapids. ...Session have appointed Deacon Lee as delegate to attend the PRCA Synod meeting of 2019 and authorized him to express our official greetings to the Synod and to speak on our behalf, when given opportunity, in matters relating to our church and its relationship to the PRCA. We are very thankful to the Lord for the privilege that our sister-church relationship accords us in sending delegates to the broadest assemblies of our sister church, by which we may encourage each other to be faithful in the work of the gospel in our respective lands."
    • Her latest newsletter (April 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 newest sister, the PRC in the Philippines, we may note the following from the bulletins of the Berean PRC and Maranatha PRC:
  • Berean PRC:
    • Rev. V. Ibe, her pastor, leads in worship today.
    • The Classis of the PRCP will hold their regular meeting on June 12, 2019 at 9:00 in the morning, at the Berean PRC, Mayamot, Antipolo City. Let us pray for God's blessing on this important meeting.

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • "Rev. L. Trinidad will lead us in both services.
    • Let us pray for the progress of the plan for the Seminary that needs to be approved In June Classis. The tentative schedule to start the training is in August, 2019."
  • *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 Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
    • From her bulletin this week: "We welcome Rev. Justin & Kelly Smidstra from First Holland PRC to our worship services today. Rev. & Mary Stewart are in the Limerick Reformed Fellowship."
    • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted (May 2019).
    • Read the newest issue of Covenant Reformed News! That issue (May 2019) can be found here.
    • Upcoming: S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart will speak on “The Burnt Offering” on Thursday, 6 June at 7:15 PM in Margam Community Centre.
  • 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.
    • Plans are being made for a Dordt400 conference involving EPC and PRC men this summer (July).
    • 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.

ReformedBookOutlet
Looking for some reading materials for the summer? Graduation cards and gifts? Good music for the family car and home?
Visit the REFORMED BOOK OUTLET in Hudsonville, MI!

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.

  • 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

 adult bible 1

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.
    • Chaperone registration is now closed! Thank you for the overwhelming response to our request for chaperones.   The chaperone committee will contact each applicant in the next few weeks. What a wonderful testament of your desire to spend time with our covenant young people!
    • Young Peoples Convention Update: You can still register on line and have paperwork received by May 31 to avoid a late fee. Any paperwork received after May 31 please include a late fee of $25.00 with your payment. Registration should be done as soon as possible so committees can proceed with their work. Looking forward to seeing you all at the convention in August!

  • Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat updates:

Registration for our 2019 retreat is open. 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.

  • 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.

ProvidentCC Oct 2018
*
Provident Christian Church, Marikina, the Philippines. An important decision concerning this congregation will be made at the PRCP Classis this week (see 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. In that connection, BC-PRC's bulletin had this note in it today:
    • In that connection, BC-PRC's bulletin had this note in it today: "Today Missionary Spriensma is filling the pulpit at Kalamazoo PRC. Next Sunday he will be preaching at Calvary PRC in Hull, IA and also giving a mission presentation."
    • And that presentation in Calvary PRC next Sunday is noted in her bulletin today: "Calvary PRC, in connection with the Domestic Mission Committee of the PRCA, invites you to attend a special mission presentation by our home missionary, Rev. Aud Spriensma, in our sanctuary on Sunday, June 16, at 7:45 p.m. The title of his presentation is: “Our Home Missions: Reaching the Nones and the Dones.” Refreshments will follow the presentation."

United Kingdom:

  • Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
    • This special notice appeared in a recent bulletin: "Pastor and Larisa leave tomorrow (Monday 27 May) for the USA. They will visit Loveland, CO; Hull, IA; and Grand Rapids, MI (and Pastor will preach in Loveland, Hull, Doon, and Holland PR churches). Pastor will also attend the PRC Synod in Grand Rapids, MI, which begins on Tuesday 11 June. Pastor and Larisa plan to arrive back in Ireland on Friday 21 June. While they are in the USA, Rev. Justin Smidstra (Holland, MI) and Rev. Angus Stewart will supply the pulpit here."
  • 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:
    • "The elders will lead the worship services today. In the first, they will use a video sermon by Rev. Ron VanOverloop (Grace PRCA). In the second, a sermon by Rev. Vernon Ibe (Berean PRCP). Rev. Holstege will preach for PRCB today since their pastor, Rev. John Flores, is in the States for the PRCA Synod.
    • This Wednesday (7:30-9:00), June 12, in the worship hall, there will be a video of the fourth of four speeches that were given by Prof. David Engelsma regarding the 400th anniversary of the Canons of Dordt. This fourth speech is entitled “The Other Decisions of the Synod of Dordt and Their Importance for the Reformed Churches Today.” Plan to attend this final speech in the series!

    • *The Classis of the PRCP will meet, Lord willing, on June 12. Committee 2 will recommend that Classis approve PCC as the fourth congregation of the PRCP. Let us pray that God will bless the work of Classis.

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:

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 14 June 2019

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