News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of June 23, 2019

On this twenty-fifth Lord's Day of 2019, June 23, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• The PRC of 2019 Synod called Rev. Brian Huizinga to replace Prof. Cammenga as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament. Rev. Cory Griess was chosen to be the alternate. May the Lord guide Rev. Huizinga that he may know God's will regarding this call. Let us remember him in our prayers.
  
  
• On June 16 Rev. R. Kleyn received the call from Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI). He plans to answer by July 14.
  
  
• The Council of Grandville PRC has formed the following trio for MOL to Singapore: Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville), Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), Rev. B. Huizinga (Redlands, CA). The congregational meeting is set for July 11 after the evening service.
  
  
• Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden, WA PRC) is leading the worship services and preaching for Immanuel PRC's (Lacombe, AB) this Sunday.
  
  
• Rev. A. Spriensma is leading the services at Cornerstone PRC today. Next week he will be in Bethel PRC.

• 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. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Smidstra 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.

Synod's delegates finished their work this past Monday

PRC Synod 2019:

• Synod (in First PR Church of Grand Rapids, MI) completed its work this past Monday around 2 p.m. this past week. The report of that final day may be found here.
  
• The daily reports with pictures may be found here.

Library renovation underway this summer.

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary has now entered its spring/summer break. Besides their work at the PRC Synod in June, the faculty will be busy with various trips and speaking engagements.  With the construction project and library renovation continuing, there is still plenty of activity at the seminary (see note below). In addition, faculty and staff continue their end-of-semester work and preparing for the new semester in the Fall. The seminary is open daily (M-F) during the summer (except for holidays) and staff is available to assist with any needs.
  
  
• *Our two senior seminarians, Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman, sustained their synodical examinations this past week at the PRC 2019 Synod and were declared them candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. They are eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019. Seminary commencement was held Thursday night, June 13, in First PRC.

• Synod 2019 has called Rev. Brian Huizinga to replace Prof. Cammenga as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament. Rev. Cory Griess was chosen to be the alternate. May the Lord guide Rev. Huizinga that he may know God's will regarding this call. Let us remember him in our prayers.

• The Spring 2019 issue of the PR Theological Journal is back from the printer and now available! For those on our mailing list, your issue will be mailed this week. For back issues, visit the seminary journal page. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, contact the seminary's secretary.
  
• 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..

• 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 the drywall work was finished and primer paint was applied in the new offices and archives room. In the library, the old carpet was torn out and the rest of the ceiling tiles removed. On the outside, final grading was done in the yard area outside the new addition. Visit the seminary news section for pics and more information.
  
  

*A new member joins the PRC in the Philippines (see note below)

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 Grandville PRC's Council: "The Council presents the following trio for MOL to Singapore: Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville), Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), Rev. B. Huizinga (Redlands, CA). The congregational meeting to call one of these ministers will be July 11 after the evening service."
  • 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, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:

• Berean PRC:

  • Rev. Ibe will lead us in our worship services today. Next Sunday, Rev. Kleyn will lead us in our worship services, the Lord willing. Our pastor is also scheduled to preach at Kerusso Community church at 3P.M. today and will lead them in their study of the Church Order at 5:30 P.M. the Lord willing.

  • Classis of the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines approved the recommendation of Committee #2 re the budget for a Missionary/pastor to labor with the saints in Albuera, Leyte. PRC in Bulacan (the calling church of the PRFA) can and may now call a missionary/pastor for PRFA. May the LORD of Harvest provide for the saints in PRFA a missionary/pastor according to His will!

• Maranatha PRC:
  • Rev. R. Smit, our Missionary will lead us in both services.
• Provident CC:
  • Rev. Holstege will lead both of our worship services today and next Sunday, D.V.
  • Rev. Daniel and Sharon Kleyn returned home to the Philippines last Wednesday. We give thanks to God for keeping them safe in their travels and returning them to their life and labors here in the Philippines.
  • 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:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart and Mary are on vacation in the States. Rev. S. Key will be supplying CPRC's pulpit for the next three weeks in his absence.
  • 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.

• 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.

Do you enjoy good Psalm music? Why not purchase a CD online or from the Reformed Book Outlet by the PR Psalm Singing Choir?

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.

• Remember to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • This week Rev. C. Griess (pastor of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI) continues a three-month commitment to the program with a special series on the Five Points of Calvinism under the theme "Religion Defended" (which you may listen to at this link).

  • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee: Have you checked out our newsletters? If you would like to receive them digitally in your emailbox, please sign up for our bimonthly newsletter here: ehttp://epurl.com/gikNsL. This month's newsletter contined this interesting information:

    • Mark your calendar for our 4000th broadcast! On September 1, 2019 we will be airing "Whosoever Will May Come," by Rev. Herman Hoeksema to celebrate 4000 broadcasts of the RWH. This is the original audio from October 1944. Be sure to tune in on September 1 to hear this great message!

  • A new Spanish edition of the RWH has been produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Look for new messages each week - and help spread the word!

 
Do you receive and read 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.
  • 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. 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.
  

*Remember Rev. Titus and the work in Myanmar (cf. 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.
• From Byron Center PRC's bulletin today we find this note: "Rev. A. Spriensma is leading the services at Cornerstone PRC today. Next week he will be in Bethel PRC."

United Kingdom:

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • From her June 23 bulletin: Pastor and Larisa returned on Friday. Rev and Mrs Smidstra extend their greetings and hearty thanks for the fellowship that they enjoyed among you. We welcome Andrew and Briana Prins (Trinity PRC), Faith Bleyenberg and Kara Lubbers (Byron Center PRC), Taylor Doezema (Faith PRC), Sara Langerak (Hope PRC), and Melissa VanBaren (First PRC) to our worship services today.

• 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!
  

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.
• And we remember our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh.

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.