This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, July 19-25, 2020

Today, July 19, is the twenty-ninth Lord's Day of 2020; we may report the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields.

As our PR congregations in the U.S. and Canada and some of our sister churches gather for corporate worship again today (though with continuing limitations), we praise God for this privilege and blessing, and we submit ourselves consciously to His wise and good ways with us and all His church the world over. We also continue to pray for our fellow saints in those lands and places where restrictions remain tight (especially India and the Philippines), knowing that our Lord cares for them too and will bless His people with peace.

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. Isaiah 43:11-13, 21

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

What is the result of this plowing of the field?  The wicked grow up like grass on a rooftop, which amounts to nothing when the hot sun of summer beats upon it. Those who belong to Jesus Christ are like the  luxurious  wheat  fields being harvested this week. “By his stripes we are healed…He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities” (Isa. 51: 5,11).

The furrows upon the back of Jesus bear rich fruit. It is a field white unto harvest. Sinners such as you and I are by faith alone made righteous by the blood of Jesus. What about the afflictions that we as God’s people are made to suffer? Oh, the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church. God turns for good what is meant for evil. Think of Joseph’s brothers’ treatment of him, selling him. God used it for the preservation of  His people during the great famine.  Though the Sanhedrin and the Roman soldiers  put Jesus to death, God saved us through that death.  So let us say with the psalmist, “Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me” (Ps. 129:2). Let us learn the lesson of the plowed field!

~ Rev. A. Spriensma in "The Farmer's Psalm," one of his special meditations from this past week

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• For those who may still be limited to house worship, whether completely or partially, we invite you to visit the PR churches page and follow the links to the websites where the churches' livestream may be found.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. G. Eriks accepted the call to Unity PRC (Byron Center, MI). According to Unity's bulletin today, Rev. Eriks will preach his farewell sermon to the Hudsonville congregation on Sunday, August 16 and his installation will be the following week, August 23, during the morning service.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. N. Langerak declined the call from First PRC of Edmonton, AB. Today the Council announced a new trio: Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC), Rev. M. VanderWal (Wingham PRC), and Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC). The congregation will vote, D.V. after the afternoon service next Sunday July 26.
  
  
• Rev. C. Spronk is considering the call from Kalamazoo PRC (received July 5). May the Lord grant him wisdom to discern His will in this matter. According to Faith PRC's bulletin today, he plans to answer by August 9.
  
  
• Special note from Doon PRC's Consistory: Rev. D. Holstege​, one of our missionaries in the Philippines, plans to be on furlough with his family from December of this year into June of next year. They are a family of seven planning to live in West Michigan and in need of a house that they can rent for that time frame. If you can help them in their search, please call or text Jim Holstege at 616-498-0841 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Did you know... that
  • Unity PRC recently purchased a parsonage for her future pastors? It is on the SW side of Grand Rapids and not far from the property she also recently approved for purchase along Kenowa Ave. And now Rev. G. Eriks and his family know where they will live.
  •  (speaking of parsonages), Hope PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) is remodeling her parsonage before her newly installed pastor and his family, Rev. and Mrs. J. Mahtani, move in? For the time being, the Mahtanis are residing with Rev. and Mrs. C. Haak.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

New landscaping in back of the seminary library and new addition

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary is now enjoying its summer break. Some of the plans the professors and students had for the summer have changed due to COVID-19 cancellations and postponements (trip to Mexico, PRYP's Convention, etc.), but there are other activities that may still be held. Continue to pray for faculty, students, and staff as they continue their labors this summer.
  
  
• Now that the stay-at-home order has been lifted in Michigan, the seminary is open daily for any needs our members and friends may have. The library and bookstore are also open for use. Feel free to call or email the seminary if you wish to have your needs fulfilled in other ways.
  
  
• The Fall 2020 semester schedule and calendar has been approved by the Theological School Commitee and posted on the seminary's website. The first semester will begin, D.V. the week of August 24.
  
  
• Seminarian Josiah Tan began his internship this month (July 1 - Dec.31) in First PRC under Rev. C. Griess. Pray that the Lord will use this part of his training for his further readiness for the ministry of the Word in our sister church in Singapore.
  
  
• The PRC Synod 2020 approved the entrance of Luke Bomers (Hope PRC, Walker, MI) and Arend Haveman (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville, MI) into the seminary this Fall. Both are finishing their pre-sem studies this summer. Pray for them as they prepare to take up their studies for the ministry in a few months.
  
  
• The Spring 2020 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently available in digital (pdf and epub) form. Our printer has informed us that it will be a bit yet before the print edition can be produced. There are good articles on nineteenth-century Southern Presbyterians, Calvin's view of the reward of grace, a plea for biblical languages, and two book review articles besides other book reviews. Check it out on the seminary's journal page!

• For more seminary news and information, visit the PRC seminary website! 

Let's remember in prayer our brothers and sisters in the EPC in Australia, who have also been hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions.

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, the following may be noted from her bulletin today (and recently):
  
  • What a great privilege we have as God’s people that we can come on the Lord’s Day to worshipHim. Beloved, for the last 2 weeks, you have been able to come, in least once to worship physically in the church premises. The experience, though with some restrictions, may have caused us to reminisce the past times where we could worship freely withoutrestrictions. We longed to be able to come together once again to worship without impediments. ...Despite some of the restrictions, if you had worshipped physically in church in the last 2 weeks, you would have found the experience meaningful and so much better than a live-streaming service. There was the soft humming along with the psalter numbers played by our pianist. We were able to participate in all the elements of the worship service (except offering) meaningfully and at the same time, we were able to see each other after a long absence.
  • Due to the Phase 2 restrictions on travels and employment pass approval, Grandville PRC, our MOL calling church, has concurred with Session’s suggestion to suspend the calling of MOL for the time being. 
  • The June 2020 newsletter - Reformed News Asia #60 - was published and posted this past week. You may find it on this page.

• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC,  the following may be noted:
  
  • She resumed services earlier this month for the first time since the lockdown in the UK in March. Rev. A. Stewart continues to lead the services and the CPRC is livestreaming them for those unable to attend.
    
  • Read the latest CPRC newsletter - June 2020!
    
  • Read the new June 2020 issue of the "Covenant Reformed News"!
    
    
• Concerning the PRC in the Philippines, the following may be gleaned from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, Bulacan PRC, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
  
  • Congregational and Denominational News:

~ Berean PRC: Rev. V. Ibe will lead us in our worship services today via live-streaming on Facebook Live. As to date, beloved, we are still under GCQ (general community quarantine). We pray earnestly to God that in soonest possible time, He may be pleased to lift us up from this crisis so that our regular corporate public worship services are restored, the Lord willing.

~ Maranatha PRC:  

 Rev. L. Trinidad, our Pastor will lead us in both Worship Services live stream via Facebook: Maranatha Protestant Reformed Church, at 9:00 a.m and 11: a.m., Lord willing. (*Our City of Valenzuela has authorized the churches to conduct their worship services on a limited number of 10 persons per service.)

Again, an extension of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila is up to July 31, 2020. The guidelines are as follows: distancing with Face masks, 21 yrs. old below and 60 yrs. old above still under the 24-hour curfew, for other people the curfew hours is from 10:00 PM - 5:00 AM. With this, let us pray that our worship services and Bible study will be backed to her normal activities.

~ Provident PRC:  

Rev. Holstege will preach both times today. The worship services will take place again in the house of Elder Bien and will be live streamed on the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page and on YouTube.

~ And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions.

• 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.

PRC MISSION NEWS:

Domestic Labors

• We 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.
  • Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, his present travels and activities are quite limited. The ongoing Bible study in Dorr, MI led by our missionary is currently postponed also.
  • But, he has been writing short meditations for the PRC website and is now speaking for the Reformed Witess Hour radio program (for four months, June - Sept.).
    

Limerick (Ireland) Reformed Fellowship News:

• Rev. M. McGeown is still leading the services on the mission until he is allowed to enter the U.S. (see next note). They have also just recently restarted live services after the UK lockdown that began in March.
• He has accepted the call to Providence PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Plans are being made for him to complete his labors in Limerick and move to Michigan as soon as it is possible, but it could be many months before that happens (see his most recent newsletter).
• A new Limerick RF Newsletter was just published - July 2020. You may find that here.

Philippine Missions:

• Rev. D. Holstege​, one of our missionaries in the Philippines, plans to be on furlough with his family from December of this year into June of next year. They are a family of seven planning to live in West Michigan and are in need of a house that they can rent for that time frame. If you can help them in their search, please call or text Jim Holstege at 616-498-0841 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. ~ The Doon consistory
• Berean PRC News:

  The visit of Rev. Ibe and Elder Alann Penaverde last Sunday with the saints in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija went well by the grace of God.

  Our brethren and sisters in the Lord were very encouraged to see us and hear again the Word of God preached in their midst. Rev. Ibe led them in their worship service. Although the visit was cut short because we can only stay there for 24 hours and thus we need to go home right after the service in the morning and we did not have the pleasure of time for extended fellowship. Nonetheless, the time spent with the saints there was precious and greatly appreciated. We pray for God’s continued care and blessings upon them in this time of continuing crisis. May God strengthen them with His Word!

• PRC of Bulacan News: The Consistory reports that they have begun public services again in the PR Fellowship in Albuera. Rev. J. Flores is leading them by Zoom (morning service only).
• Maranatha PRC News: 

  The missionary work in Sipalay, Negros Occidental is temporarily cancelled due to the Enchancement Community Quaratine. Let us pray that the Lord will end this plague and let His work of preaching and teaching be continued.

• 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!
  

We remember in prayer the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines, especially in these difficult days of COVID-19  restrictions on their travels and labors. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace to carry on as best they can and to be encouraged in all their labors.

India:

• Let us remember to pray for the Lord's blessing on Georgetown PRC's labor in Vellore, India. The saints in that part of the world continue to experience tight restrictions and limited functions.
  

• Let us pray for our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh. This update was in CERC's bulletin today: Do continue to pray for the brethren in Kolkata. Though the COVID-19 pandemic situation is getting worse in India and lockdown is being extended to December this year, the fellowship is allowed to worship with not more than 25 people. They will be commencing their worship service on 26 July. Unlike us, they are allowed to sing during their worship services. Do continue to pray for Rev Singh as he laboursdiligently. The Friday night Bible study has resumed. There is a new Bible study class on Saturdays for some new comers. Pastor has also started an Online Evangelism for about 22 young people, mainly from the northeastern part of India and Mumbai.

Myanmar:

• Let us also remember Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar. Our brothers and sisters here too need our prayers and encouragement as they suffer under coronavirus quarantines and economic hardships. Rev. Titus continues to minister the Word to his flock through the means of social media and modern technology.

Are you reading your July issue of the Standard Bearer - it's the special PRC Synod 2020 issue - plus plenty of other good content! If you wish to subscribe, visit the SB webpage!

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Are you desirous to learn more about the doctrines and practices of the PRC? Or, are you 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.
  

• The Reformed Book Outlet  is open again, with temporary limited hours. We will be open on Tuesday, 10am - 1pm, Wednesday, 1pm - 6pm, and Saturday, 10am - 1pm. Please follow the guidelines that will be posted on the door when visiting the store. As always, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any orders as well!
  The Reformed Book Outlet’s 3rd annual summer reading challenge is beginning on June 15 and will go through August 22 this year! This challenge is for adults and children, and there are prizes for completing the challenge. Visit our store or Facebook page for more details. You can sign up and pick up a packet at the store during business hours, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up and we will send you a packet!

• Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • At present Rev. A. Spriensma (PRC home missionary) is delivering the messages and this month he is focusing on the truth of God's covenant of grace. Today's message is titled "The Covenant with Creation" based on Genesis 9:9-11. Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast, or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.
    
    
  • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee:

~ The Reformed Witness Hour Committee wishes to remind everyone that you can receive their bi-monthly newsletter via email simply by signing up at http://eepurl.com/gikNsL.  Each newsletter contains information about places around our globe where the RWH is downloaded; news about the RWH’s witness on the radio and via the internet, printed booklet, and CD and links to many popular and relevant RWH messages.

~ A Spanish edition of the RWH has been produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Why not check it out - and help spread the word!

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

• The Young Calvinists will be holding a Virtual Young People's Gathering via zoom on August 8 from 11am-5pm. As a small replacement for Convention, this will feature a lecture on Heaven by Prof. Gritters, online mixer games, discussion groups and more! There will also be an outdoor Singspiration (young people only) on Sunday, August 9 at 8pm. To help us safely prepare, please RSVP for one or both events by July 20 at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/young-calvinists-virtual. Follow our blog (youngcalvinists.org), Facebook, or Instagram, for upcoming details!
  
  

• PRYP Convention News (good news from Georgetown PRC!): 2021 Young People’s Convention: Our Steering Committee has signed a new contract with Lake Williamson Christian Center for next year.  ...We have reserved the second week in August, arriving on Monday August 9 and departing on Friday August 13, 2021.  There will be no other groups at Lake Williamson on the second week and we would have the camp to ourselves (similar to this year). May the Lord preserve our enthusiasm and bless our plans for our Young People’s growth.
  
  
• The latest issue of the young peoples' magazine, Salt Shaker, is available (from Singapore!). Find the June 2020 issue here.
  
  
• Colorado Retreat: Registration for the retreat is closed! For further updates, please visit our Facebook page Colorado Young Adults Retreat 2020. Pastors Key and Guichelaar will speak for us on II Timothy 1:7, as we learn to be more 'Brave and Bold in the Faith'.
  
  
• Save the date for a Singles’ Conference!  We will host another three-day event in the Grand Rapids area, September 25-27, for singles ages 25+. The weekend will include two speeches, a discussion group, and several social activities.  Plan to attend and be encouraged and edified by other like-minded singles! Stay tuned for more details.