Special Banner made for the PRCP organizational meeting.

The organizational and first meeting of the new federation of the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (PRCP) was held this past Wednesday, April 9, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Valenzuela on the north side of Metro Manila.

NOTE: For more information and pictures, visit this post on the Kleyn's blog.

The Consistories of the Berean PRC and the First Reformed Church of Bulacan, led by pastors Vernon Ibe and John Flores (front center).

At this meeting, the Berean Protestant Reformed Church (where Pastor Vernon Ibe serves) and First Protestant Reformed Church in Bulacan (where Pastor John Flores serves) were united together formally and officially in a special ceremony, followed by a regular business meeting in which many details of organization were treated, in addition to some regular business (Official report is still to come).

The "Declaration of Agreement" signed by all the offcebearers.

Berean PRC and First RC Consistories with our two missionaries, R.Smit and D.Kleyn (back right).

We rejoice with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines and pray that God will richly bless the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines.

Group picture with visitors to the PRCP organizational meeting.

Note: These pictures were sent in by Missionary-pastor R.Smit, for which we thank him.

The PR Seminary has a few updates to pass along as we enter this month of April, where the Lord's sure signs of Spring appear once again in West Michigan. 

1. Our next Seminary Journal (April 2014) is back from the printer and was mailed out on Friday, April 25. This issue will have the other three speeches from the Heidelberg Catechism Conference of last Fall, plus some significant book reviews. Look for your copy in the mail in the weeks ahead. If you would like to be added to our mailing list (no charge, although we do accept gifts), contact the Seminary office. The digital copies of this issue will be made available on the Seminary Journal page in short order.

2. The Seminary is now on its final month of classes before final exams. "Pray for us", that the professors and students would have strength to complete our labors and grace to finish well.

3. The two upper-class students, Josh Engelsma (senior) and Ryan Barnhill (junior), besides their normal studies, have stayed busy teaching catechism, leading societies, (nearly finished now) and speaking a word of edification in the churches, which sometimes includes going out of town (Doon, IA, Randolph, WI, Chicago area).

4. The first-year students (9) have just finished preparing and delivering their first sermons as part of their Homiletics class. It was their testimony that making a sermon from start to finish (exegesis to full outline to delivery) was a significant learning experience for them.

5. Our professors also stay very busy with their classroom teaching as well as with leading Bible studies, preaching weekly in the churches, lecturing and serving on denominational committees.

6. The Seminary recently received the annual visit from the 4th grade class of Mrs.Jane Woudenberg from our Heritage Christian School (Hudsonville, MI). This is always a highlight for the Seminary, and once again their visit was appreciated and encouraging (cf. picture to the left).

7. The professors and students will be on Spring Break from April 7-11. Pray for them that they may experience a season of rest and refreshment before the final weeks of school.

8. The staff will be present normal hours during Spring Break, from 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., so if you have any needs feel free to call or stop by.

9. Finally, as a Seminary "family" we share in the loss of Mr.John M.Kalsbeek, a godly husband, father, and PR Christian school teacher, who with his wife Judy was also the long-time janitor of our facility.  We thank God for his humble service in our midst and express our sincere sympathies to his wife and family (ten children).

The fourth issue of "Reformed News Asia" has been released by the Christian Literature Ministry of our sister church in Singapore, the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church, and this issue too is filled with informative and edifying content (for information on Issue #3, click on this link)!

Worthy of special mention is the fact that this issue contains the fourth set of devotions on the Belgic Confession by various PRCA ministers, covering Articles 13-14 on the doctrines of God's providence, and on the creation and fall of man. Written by Revs.A.den Hartog and D.Holstege, these devotions on the BC take you through the month of April (April 2 - May 6) You will find great spiritual profit in using these devotions.

In addition, the newsletter also contains information about the CLM's pamphlet and book ministries and about activities going on in the CERC. You will want to read about the recent visits of CERC young people to the Philippines, to fellowship with the young people of the Berean PRC.

To receive your own digital copy of this newsletter and those to come, visit the Christian Literature Ministry page at the CERCS' website and click on the subscribe button. There you will also find a downloadable digital copy of the devotional booklet for April. Or see below for the attached pdf.

The latest issue of The Standard Bearer is out, and it is another excellent special issue! The April 1, 2014 issue is devoted to the Reformed practice and tradition of Psalmody or Psalm-singing. Prof.B.Gritters, one of the editors, includes this descriptive note about the content of this issue before his own fine article “In Praise of Psalm-Singing”:

You have in your hands a special issue on the church’s long-treasured practice of singing psalms in public worship. Although our Psalter’s anniversary was not in view when we planned the issue, 2014 does mark 100 years since our fathers adopted the 1912 Psalter for use in the churches. God’s faithfulness explains our continuing in psalm-singing.

The logic of the articles should not be missed. First, Rev.James Slopsema, one of our long-time writers of meditations, helps us reflect on God’s Word in the psalms. The editorial encourages us in the use of this songbook called ‘the Psalms’ and the great blessing of them. Three articles look at the rich history of psalm-singing. Rev.Brian Huizinga’s moving article traces the history of psalm-singing from the earliest times of the New Testament church. Rev.Kenneth Koole writes a fascinating history of the use of the 1912 Psalter in the PRC.

Rev.Martyn McGeown, whose churches use the Scottish Metrical Version of the Psalter, writes about the present use of the psalms in various Reformed and Presbyterian churches. That all the psalms should (and can be!) sung by New Testament Christians is the purpose of Rev.Ronald Hanko’s article on the imprecatory psalms. Then there is careful reflection, by Prof.Russell Dykstra, on how the PRC’s Psalter might be improved.

You are urged to obtain and read this significant and edifying issue of the “SB”. To receive your copy, if you are not a subscriber, visit the “SB” website. If you are a subscriber, and the issue has reached your home, be sure to read completely and study it carefully!

The Reformed Witness Hour Committee announces the messages to be heard on its program during the month of April. Rev.R.Kleyn of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA will again be our speaker, and he will continue his series on the life of Job as well as bring special messages for Good Friday and Easter. The special flyer is also attached here in pdf form for your convenience.

The Reformed Book Outlet in Hudsonville, MI has published their April Newsletter, with a special feature on music CDs this month. Read the newsletter below (also attached in pdf form), check out their website, visit the bookstore, and benefit from the good literature and music available.