PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for February 16 and 23, 2025 *(Updated)

On this eighth Lord's Day of 2025, we gather in the Lord's presence, by grace and through faith, for worship of and fellowship with our covenant God, our faithful Father and sovereign, saving Friend. As we do so, we are equipped and encouraged by His Word and Spirit for our life and callings in this world.

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. ~ Isaiah 6:1-5

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for the weeks of Feb.16 and 23. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.

If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you; or you may listen online through one of the PRC's livestreams.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• On February 16 Rev. H. Bleyenberg (Immanuel, Lacombe PRC) declined the call to Hope PRC-Redlands CA.
  
  
• On February 16 Rev. J. Maatman received the call from Grace PRC.

• The Council of Hudsonville PRC has chosen a new trio of Revs. J. Engelsma, D. Holstege, and Prof. B. Huizinga. The congregation will vote from the trio after the evening service tonight. *Prof. B. Huizinga has received this call.
  
  
• The Council of Grandville PRC has formed a new trio of Revs. D. Holstege, J. Maatman, and J. Engelsma. The congregational meeting will be March 2 after the evening service.
  
  
• Byron Center PRC's Council (calling church for a minister on loan to the PRC-Philippines) has formed a trio from a list of eligible ministers to serve in the PRC-Philippines: Revs. D. Lee (Kalamazoo PRC), A. Brummel (Calvary PRC), and M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC). A congregational meeting is scheduled for March 12 after the Prayer Day service.
  
  
• On February 9 Lynden PRC voted to call Rev. G. Eriks. He plans to answer by March 9.
  
  
• On February 9 Southwest PRC voted to call Rev. J. Maatman.  He plans to answer by March 9.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today (Feb.23) in the vacant PRCs: Sem. A. Van Dyke in Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. N. Decker in Grace PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. E. Guichelaar in Grandville PRC; Rev. A. Haveman (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. A. Spriensma in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. DeBoer (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. G. Eriks in Southwest PRC. It is a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who travel and supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to petition the Lord for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!

Special congregational notices:

Hope PRC-Walker, MI: Myanmar mission - "The Myanmar committee reported that it held a video conference with Rev. Titus, Elder Naw Taung, and Deacon La Ja. In recent months, China’s involvement in Myanmar has been limited, leading to more sporadic fighting and a decrease in the conscription of young men into the military. The church is able to meet twice every Sunday and still welcomes regular visitors. Rev. Kap Mang’s health continues to deteriorate, and he no longer recognizes his family members. Hope PRCM has made plans to visit Rev. Kap Mang to provide pastoral care and encourage him and the saints in that region...."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Home mission news: Zion’s Council and the DMC have sent our domestic missionary, Rev. J. Laning, to the Dallas/ Fort Worth (DFW) area for six months, along with his wife, Margaret. They arrived there on October 19, 2024 and have settled into the labors there. For some time Rev. Laning has been conducting weekly Zoom Bible studies with people in Texas, and has made a number of trips there. The plan is to have Rev. Laning continue to labor among those whom they have already come to know, while also witnessing to others in that area. Seeing as the preaching of the gospel is the chief means the Spirit uses to gather His people, it will be good to spend some time there meeting for worship and having Bible studies, in order, Lord willing, to gather a group together. We thank the Lord for opening this door, and pray that He may guide us in this work to the glory of His name. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). If you happen to know of anyone in that area who may be interested, please contact our domestic missionary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  
  
• From the PRC Contact Committee: Rev. M. McGeown and Michael Bosveld (Hope PRC) are representing our churches as an official delegation to the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines. They left the States this past Thursday and anticipate returning on March 4. Their mandate includes doing church visitation in both the Berean and Provident churches, attending the PRCP Classis meeting, and promoting a good relationship with our sister in the Philippines in any way possible. Pray for safe travels and wisdom for our delegates, and for God’s blessing on our sister in the Philippines.
  
  
• HAVEN of Mercy is grateful for your in-person and online attendance and support shown at HAVEN '25:  What's Next? The Way Forward After Disclosure.  The attendance is evidence of our community's desire to learn and grow in knowledge and understanding of abuse dynamics, protection of the flock, victim care, and perpetrator accountability.  The six speeches and the Q&A session from the conference have been recorded and are available at https://www.havenofmercypr.org/haven-2025-conference.  We have also recorded an additional, extended Q&A session with our speakers, Brad Hambrick and Darby Strickland, in which they answered many more questions that were submitted at the conference.  More information about this extended Q&A and a link to the new recording will be posted on our Facebook page and sent to our email subscribers.
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2025 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 16th. 
  
  
• PRC 100th Anniversary Celebration (June 2-6, 2025): Participate in this commemorative event by registering at prca100.org by March 21 (note the extension!). Those lodging at Calvin University will enjoy a convenient and economical stay and all meals and activities. Local attendees and those arranging their own off-campus lodging must register for activities and meals if desired. To attend visit https://prca100.org/register for registration instructions and the web link. For more 100-year PRC history, videos and photos, visit this Facebook page.
  
  

• Convention 2025 – Register & Chaperone Opportunities!

  Conventioneers, mark your calendars! Registration for the 2025 Young People’s Convention will be open March 1-31. If you plan to attend, don’t forget to sign up during this time! Hosted by Hudsonville PRC, this year’s convention will take place at SpringHill Camp (Evart, MI) from August 11-15. We’d love to see you there! If you have any questions, please email Heather Veldman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  We’re also looking for chaperones to help make this convention a week of spiritual growth and meaningful fellowship for our young people. If you’re interested in joining us, learn more and apply today at prcconvention.com/chaperones.

It was another cold and snowy week in West Michigan last week (Feb.16-22).

PR Theological Seminary News:

• The PR Theological Seminary will enter its sixth week of the 2nd semester this week. PRTS covets your prayers as they carry out their callings during this semester of instruction.
• Joe Ophoff will lead in devotions this week; there is no chapel this week again due to practice preaching on Monday.
• The second part of the first round of Practice Preaching will take place tomorrow, with Sems. B. Feenstra, and I. Van Baren delivering sermons. Pray for them as they prepare for and deliver these, and for the faculty as they guide the young men in this important aspect of their training.
• Sem. B. Feenstra will be doing his senior internship in Doon (IA) PRC under Rev. D. Kleyn and his Consistory. That will run from July 1 to Dec.31.
• Work has begun on the Spring 2025 issue of the PR Theological Journal, which will contain the expanded speeches the professors gave at their Fall 2024 conference on the common grace/particular grace controversy in 1924. In the meantime, the Fall 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is available. The digital edition (pdf) is available on the seminary's journal page linked here while the print copies are also available. This issue contains, among other things, the second part of Dr. J. Bolt's treatment of the CRC Synod of 1924 ("Unfinished Business on Common Grace"), Prof Griess' lecture on "Sexual Abuse in Calvin's Geneva," Dr. N. Willborn's lectures on "Old Princeton," a sermon warning of drunkenness (and other addictions) from Prov.23:29-35 by Prof. Kuiper, and ten book reviews. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Bethany Engelsma, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or stop by the seminary. 
• Sems. Aaron Van Dyke and Bruce Feenstra are licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches. All scheduling of these men must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the rector, Prof. D. Kuiper (doug.kuiperThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
• If you missed the Fall PRTS Conference (Oct.31-Nov.2) at Grace PRC (“By Grace I Am What I Am”: The PRCA’s Rejection of Common Grace), where the histroric (100 years!) stand of the PRC on sovereign, particular grace was defended and developed, you may watch or listen to the speeches that are all available both on Grace PRC's Sermonaudio channel as well as the seminary's YouTube channel.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website - and don't forget to check on the blog!
  
  

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Today both pastors led services. In this week's "pastoral voice" Pastor Wee writes about the only ground of our approaching God in worship: "Hebrews 7:26-27: For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Let us meditate on this truth as we come into God’s presence this Lord’s Day, knowing that we have the right to do so, in the precious blood of Christ. That, too, is the only basis upon which we come to the Lord’s table to enjoy fellowship with God. Let us also be assured of this truth as we prepare in this week ahead to partake of the Lord’s Supper."
  • A last issue of Salt Shakers is available - August2024, #73, the third of 2024!  Once again you will find a variety of articles on timely subjects in this issue! Written especially for young people and young adults, SS is edifying for all adults!

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to serve this sister congregation faithfully, and through the CPRC and her website, to minister the gospel far and wide in other ways. 
    
  • The January 2025 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published this past week. Read the articles by Rev. A. Stewart on "Are the Ungodly Really in God's Image? (1)" and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about law and grace.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel with all its edifying content may be found here.

• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her worship services today. Special note: "Rev. Martyn McGeown [and his wife Larissa], Elder Michael, and Mrs. Bosveld [Hope PRC, Walker MI.], arrived safely last Friday [Feb. 21] at around 7 AM in Manila. God be praised for providing safe travel! Rev. McGeown and Elder Bolsveld are here for an official visit/delegation of PRCA to our Classis meeting on Tuesday. The PRCP also asked them through the Contact Committee of the PRCA to conduct this year’s Church Visitation with Berean and Provident PRC congregations on February 22 [with Provident PRC] and March 1 [with Berean PRC]. Rev. McGeown is also scheduled to preach in each congregation in both worship services, on February 23 [for Provident PRC] and March 2 [for Berean PRC]. All, the Lord willing. We pray for God’s blessings upon all the labors of Rev. McGeown and Elder Bolsveld with and for us, and blessings upon the fellowship we may share in the bond of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will return to the U.S.A. on Tuesday [March 04], D.V." 
  • PRCP Mission News: "The saints of All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services today via Livestream on our Facebook page. We pray for God’s continued care and blessings upon them as they hear the Word of God." And, "God willing, this week, [February 27-28] Pastor Ibe and Deacon Lester Lee are scheduled to visit with the pastors and saints in Bacolod and Sipalay City. Rev. Ibe will take up the Church Order of Dort Articles 14 - 18 and Reformed Dogmatics [Soteriology] on the Ordo Salutis [On Regeneration Part 2]. We pray for God’s continued spiritual strength and growth for the churches in these areas as they learn and receive the Reformed truth of God’s sovereign particular grace in Christ Jesus and for His sake only. Soli Deo Gloria!"
  • Provident PRC bulletin: "A warm welcome to Rev. Martyn McGeown and his wife Sis. Larisa together with Elder Michael Bosveld and his wife Sis. Shari who arrived safely from the U.S. last Friday February 21st. Our congregation praises the LORD and is grateful for having them as the annual delegates from PRCA through the contact committee." Rev. McGeown led her services today and administered the Lord's Supper to the congregation. "We are pleased to announce that the consistory has granted the request of our visitors from PRCA - Rev. Martyn McGeown and his wife, Sis. Larisa, along with Elder Michael Bosveld and his wife, Sis. Shari – to partake in the Lord's Supper with us. It is a blessing to have them join us in this sacred sacrament."

REFORMED RESOURCES for EDUCATION, EDIFICATION, and EVANGELISM

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

• This month - February 2025 - the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. C. Haak. Today's message is titled "Jesus Is My Savior" based on Matthew 1:21.
  
• The Reformed Witness Hour publishes each month's messages in an attractive booklet. These printed sermons are a great blessing to many and are distributed all over the world, including to many prisoners in the U.S. If you or your Evangelism Committee would like to receive these, let the RWHC know and they will add you to the mailing list (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Did you know that 2025 is another Year of Jubilee for the Roman Catholic Church? Want to learn more about the false gospel behind this declaration and why all true Protestants must find their salvation in Christ alone through faith alone, which is to say, by grace alone? Read this resource to learn more! (See the quote below for a preview of the proper perspective)

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville (3472 Harvey St.). Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 10-1. 
  *Special Note: February 24-28 - RBO Used Book Sale: We've received a large donation of used Christian books for us to resell. Titles include those published by RFPA and Inheritance Publications as well as Let Youth Praise Him, The Children's Hymnbook and many different Bible Storybooks. Come shop this special backroom sale!

• If you are in need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people, check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for assistance with any of these materials (616-531-1490).
  
  
• For sound, distinctively Reformed literature on a variety of subjects and for all ages - including church history and Bible study materials - visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association website or stop in at their Jenison (Michigan) location.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

 The Protestant Protest [against the papal Year of Jubilee]

"Rome must not be surprised that we Protestants repudiate her Jubilee. The Reformation of the sixteenth century was occasioned exactly by Rome's doctrine and practice of indulgences. Inasmuch as Rome's doctrine of indulgences expresses and illustrates Rome's gospel of salvation, particularly justification, by man's own meritorious works, the entire Reformation was about indulgences. Pope Leo X published a bull authorizing the sale of indulgences for the purpose of rebuilding St. Peter's Church in Rome. That brought supersalesman Tetzel into Germany, where he came into contact with Luther. The indulgences that Tetzel was hawking were plenary.

"Luther's 95 theses, in God's providence the onset of the Reformation, had indulgences as their direct occasion and were, from beginning to end, a challenge to and a condemnation of indulgences. The placard over the theses read: "95 Theses about Indulgences." Thesis 32 warned: "Those who believe that through letters of pardon they are made sure of their own salvation will be eternally damned along with their teachers." And, as noted above, thesis 62 took dead aim at Rome's claim to possess a treasury of merits which it can apply to the living and the dead by means of indulgences: "The true treasure of the church is the holy gospel of the glory and grace of God."

"For Rome now to play up indulgences, with great fanfare in the public press, as the main feature of a Jubilee year is an open, deliberate declaration of war upon Protestant Christianity. By her Jubilee year, Rome opposes her gospel of human will, merit, and work against the Reformation gospel of grace alone."

Taken from the pamphlet "A.D. 2000: Year of Jubilee -- by Papal Indulgence of by Reformation Gospel?" by Prof. D. Engelsma, one this month's featured resources