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This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, July 28 - August 3, 2019

Exodus 33 14On this thirtieth Lord's Day of 2019, July 28, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • On July 14 Cand. M. Kortus received the call to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB).  On July 21 he also received the call to Hope PRC's (Redlands, CA). May the King of the church give him clear guidance with regard to these calls.
  • On July 21 Cand. J. Maatman received the call to Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI). We thank the Lord for this confirmation of his call to the ministry and pray that the Lord shows him plainly His will.

  • On July 11 the congregation of Grandville PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon IA PRC) to serve as minister on loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore. He plans to answer by August 18. We pray for him and his family as he considers this important call.

  • The PRC Synod of 2019 called Rev. Brian Huizinga to replace Prof. Cammenga as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament. On June 30 he accepted this call. He preached his farewell in Hope PRC (Redlands, CA) last Sunday and moved to West Michigan this past week. His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 at Grandville PRC (7 pm). May God uphold him and his family and provide for all their needs as they take up their new life and work in the seminary.

  • Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) has extended a call to Cand. M. Kortus (July 14). Today and next Sunday her pulpit will be supplied by Rev. R. Barnhill of Peace PRC (Dyer, IN).

  • Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) voted to call Candidate J. Maatman (July 21). Today, Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. M. DeVries (Kalamazoo PRC)  are leading the worship services for her. And a reminder: The congregation is currently worshiping at Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI, while she looks for a new location.

  • From First PRC's bulletin today comes this important note: "This Wednesday, July 31, our Pastor [Rev. C.Griess] and Lael will travel to Mexico City with a delegation including Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. R. Kleyn (as well as the Bartolon’s) for a two-week visit.  This visit will include conferences at the Lluvias de Gracia Church (National Presbyterian Church) and the Juan Calvino Seminary (Independent Presbyterian Church) as well as speeches at the General Assembly of the NPC and among the NPC congregations in Chiapas.  The visitors will also have opportunity to preach in these two denominations. Conference and speech topics that the saints in Mexico requested include: Eschatology, Training for Office Bearers, Women in Office, the Sacraments, the Synod of Dort, and a Critique of Reformational Theology. The delegation plans to return August 12, the Lord willing.  Remember these brothers and sisters in prayer as they prepare for the trip, and may God grant good fellowship in Christ."

  • From Byron Center PRC: "The Council of BC PRC would like to inform members of our denomination that on Sunday, July 7, our church will begin holding separate worship services for members from our church hoping to form a daughter church. The worship services will be held at Zion Christian School in Byron Center, MI at 9:30 AM and 5PM."

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Synod 2019:

  • Synod (in First PR Church of Grand Rapids, MI) met from June 11-17. The daily reports with pictures may be found here.
  • The PRC Synod of 2019 called Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) to replace Prof. Cammenga as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament. On June 30 he accepted this call. His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 during a divine worship service at Grandville PRC (7 pm).
  • The PRC Synod of 2019 declared Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. They are eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019.
  • Need for Ministers: Synod 2019 took a decision to place the urgent need for seminary students before our churches. Nine of our 39 active ministers are 63 years of age and older. The next prospect for seminary graduates in our churches is not for another four years. Then those nine ministers will be 67 and older. Please remember in your prayers to petition the Lord of the harvest for pastors, and please encourage young men, whom you observe to have the gifts, to consider the ministry.

Contact Commitee: On behalf of the Contact Committee of the PRCA, Prof. Barry Gritters and Rev. Daniel Holstege visited the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia, a denomination with whom we have a corresponding relationship as churches. Their work included participating in a joint conference with the EPCA in Brisbane on the subject of the Canons of Dordt as well as visiting the EPCA’s regular presbytery meeting. Rev. Holstege returned home this past week and Prof. Gritters plans to this week. May the Lord be pleased to use their work for the maintaining and strengthening of our relationship with the EPCA.

Senior Retreat:

gull lake Lodge MI
The lodge at Gull Lake Ministries, location of this Fall's Senior Retreat

  • Registration for the Senior Retreat (Sept 17-20) is about to close. Have you sent in yours?  Deadline is August 1 - that's THIS week Thursday, so don’t delay.  Come and enjoy fellowship with others from around the country.  If you have questions call Barb Velthouse at 1-616-745-0770 or go to zionprc.org. 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.

front july 2019

PRC Seminary News:

  • The PRC Synod of 2019 called Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) to replace Prof. Cammenga as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament. On June 30 he accepted this call. His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 during a divine worship service at Grandville PRC (7 pm). He and his family moved to West Michigan this past week. May God uphold him and his family and provide for all their needs as they take up their new life and work in the seminary.

  • The seminary is now in its summer break. The faculty is busy with various trips and speaking engagements.  Prof. B. Gritters is currently in Australia for a conference on the Synod of Dordt and various meetings. Prof. R. Cammenga will be leaving for Mexico this week for several conferences in the Mexico City area. 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 preparing for the new semester in the Fall, the schedule for which has been posted on the seminary's website. The seminary is open daily (M-F) during the summer (except for holidays) and staff is available to assist with any needs.

  • The seminary's two 2019 graduates, Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman, sustained their synodical examinations at the PRC 2019 Synod and were declared candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC, eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019. Both have now received calls from vacant congregations. We praise God for this evidence of His confirmation of the call they felt when they began seminary.

  • The Spring 2019 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently available! For those on our mailing list, your issue has been mailed. For back issues, visit the seminary journal page. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, contact the seminary's secretary. In addition, a new index to all past issues has been posted on the Journal's archives page.
  • 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.

library stained panels july 2019 1

  • Work continues on the seminary addition/library renovation project (new archives and offices). This past week more work was completed in the new offices (doors and trim work stained, electrical wiring done, hvac, etc.). In the library, the focus continues on the trim work, with the majority of it now completed and the first coat of stain appled (see photo above). Outside, the rooftop units were installed and some wiring done, while the rest of the underground sprinkling was finished. Visit the seminary news section for pics and more information.

VernonIbe 1
*Rev. V. Ibe, pastor of Berean PRC - and soon to be PRCP missionary - see news below.

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following:
    • Rev. A. denHartog and his wife are completing today their most recent time of service in CERC on behalf of the PRC Contact Committee. For the next three Sundays Rev. Jonathan Mahtani (Cornerstone PRC) and his family will be serving this congregation.
    • On July 11 Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC) received the call from Grandville PRC to serve as minister on loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore. From her bulletin on July 21 we find this note: "We heard last Lord’s day that Grandville PRC has extended a call to Rev Joshua Engelsma to serve as Minister on Loan (MOL) to Singapore. We continue to pray that the Lord will make it clear to him His will as he considers this call. Rev Engelsma has acknowledged receipt of this call and will answer the call on 18 August."
    • Her latest newsletter (June 2019) - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently posted and 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, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
  • Berean PRC:
    • *Rev. V. Ibe has been considering the call to serve as PRCP missionary in Albuera, Leyte. Today he announced his acceptance of this call.
    • "Dear PRCP congregations, The Theological School Committee of the PRCP (Committee #1) announces to our PRCP congregations with much thanksgiving to our covenant God that, after many months of planning and preparation, seminary training will begin on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. The Classis approved in June 2019 that Bro. Jeremiah B. Pascual, a member of the First PRCP in Bulacan, be approved as a seminary student, beginning his training in August 2019. The Classis approved in February 2019 that Rev. Holstege (Hermeneutics), Rev. Kleyn (Church History and Homiletics), and Rev. Smit (Greek and Dogmatics: Theology, Anthropology) teach our students. Brethren, we earnestly covet your prayers and support in this work as we seek with the Lord’s indispensable blessings to train faithful, Reformed preachers for our churches. The TSC (Committee 1) requests the Consistories of the PRCP to hold one worship service on August 11, 2019 dedicated to the beginning of seminary school and entrusting our school to the blessing and care of our Sovereign God, and asking our pastors to preach texts related to the ministry of the Word and seminary instruction.”"
  • PRC in Bulacan:
    • The PRC in Bulacan, (the calling church of the mission work in Albuera, Leyte) extended a call to Rev. Ibe (Berean PRC) to serve as missionary/pastor with the saints in Albuera, Leyte. Today, Rev. Ibe announced his acceptance of this call, which means that the PRCP will have its first missionary as a denomination. We rejoice with them in God's good provision of a man for this work.

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • Today Rev. D. Kleyn, our Missionary will lead us the first and Second services. He will continue teaching the Belgic Confession. D.V.
  • Provident CC:
    • "Rev. and Leah Holstege came home from Australia last Wednesday night. We thank God for giving safe travels. Rev. Holstege will preach for us today and next Sunday, D.V.
    • Catechism classes for the children and youth will begin this Saturday. The children should prepare to answer the questions in Lesson 1 of the OT Bible Stories for Beginners. They will meet at 10:00 am. The youth should prepare to answer the questions in Lesson 1 of the Essentials of Reformed Doctrine. They will meet at 9:00 am. Rev. Holstege will pass out catechism books today after the worship services.

    • And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions (bulletins).
  • 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.
    • From the PRC Contact Commitee: "On behalf of the Contact Committee of the PRCA, Prof. Barry Gritters and Rev. Daniel Holstege visited the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia, a denomination with whom we have a corresponding relationship as churches. Their work included participating in a joint conference with the EPCA in Brisbane on the subject of the Canons of Dordt as well as visiting the EPCA’s regular presbytery meeting. Rev. Holstege returned home this past week and Prof. Gritters plans to this week. May the Lord be pleased to use their work for the maintaining and strengthening of our relationship with the EPCA."
    • 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.

marriageanddivorce
What does God require of married persons? Read this helpful resource!

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.

  • Do you have an interest in 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

  • 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 (for Dordt400) under the theme "Total Depravity (1)" (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 contained 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 on salvation by sovereign grace!

    • 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!

 2019 YP Conv logo

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • The 2019 PRYP's Convention is only weeks away! 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 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 (June 2019 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

PRF Leyte sign 2018
*This misison work now has a missionary! Read about it 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: "Missionary Spriensma is preaching at Peace PRC today."
  • And this one too; "The Dorr Bible Study meets this Thursday, August 1, at 7:30 PM. Our discussion will begin at John 7:1. Join us at the Dorr library with your friends and neighbors to study God's Word."
  • From Trinity PRC's bulletin today we find this relevant note: "Please plan on attending a short presentation by Rev. Spriensma after our evening service on August 4. This presentation will highlight the three ways missions being done in our churches, the methods that the Domestic Mission Committee is using in their mission work, and how Rev. Spriensma can be of assistance to our churches. This presentation will begin about 15 minutes after the evening service, and all are invited to attend."

United Kingdom:

  • Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
    • Rev. McGeown is preaching today and will lead the Bible study Tuesday 8 PM in Corbally beginning at 2 Peter 1:4.
    • Rev. McGeown lectured this past Thursday in Margam Community Centre, Margam, Port Talbot, Wales on “The Development of God’s Covenant” (5): “Jacob.”
  • The March 2019 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station was received and posted recently.

Philippine Missions:

  • *PRC in Bulacan, (the calling church of the mission work in Albuera, Leyte) extended the call to Rev. Ibe (Berean PRC) to serve as missionary/pastor with the saints in Albuera, Leyte. Today Rev. Ibe announced his acceptance of this call, which means that the PRCP will have its first missionary as a denomination. We rejoice with them in God's good provision of a man for this work.
  • The last Philippines mission newsletter was received and posted back in July 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. From the CERC's bulletin today this may be noted: "Pray for Elder Leong and Elder Wee who are spending time this weekend with our missionary Rev. Emmanuel Singh and the church of Jesus Christ in India. Try to image some of the difficulties they face as a church of Jesus Christ."

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 28 July 2019