The latest newsletter from our missionaries in the Philippines has been published! This issue focuses on the labors with Pastor Leovy Trinidad and the Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela, Manila. Read about this precious group of Reformed Christians and their efforts to reach this part of the Philippines with the gospel of sovereign grace! Here is a quote from the first part of the newsletter. Read all of it from the attached pdf.

One of the churches which has become a significant and regular part of our mission work here in the Philippines is the Maranatha Protestant Reformed Church in Valenzuela. This congregation is located about 25 miles (usually an hour’s drive) from where we live in Antipolo. Rev. Smit and his family worship here at least two Sundays each month. Rev. Smit preaches and teaches with the goal in mind (which is also the stated desire of the congregation) that this church might one day become part of the federation of Protestant Reformed Churches here, the Lord willing. We hope that by means of this newsletter you may gain some knowledge and awareness of this congregation of beloved fellow-saints in Christ.

The 2013-14 PRC Seminary season of instruction has begun, with full classes having started this week Tuesday, Sept.3. Mr. Don Doezema, our recently retired registrar (with the help of his new camera), took this picture of the entire student body and faculty on opening day (with the exception of Senior Josh Engelsma, who is presently doing his internship in Peace PRC, Lansing, IL under pastor Clayton Spronk.). Remember to pray for the professors and students this year as they instruct and as they learn, that God's Word may be faithfully and fruitfully brought to these young men as they prepare for the gospel ministry.

Key: Back row (l-r): Justin Smidstra (Hudsonville PRC), Matt DeBoer (Hudsonville PRC), David Noorman (Faith PRC), Nathan Price (Trinity PRC), Jon Langerak (SW PRC), Stephan Regnerus (Doon, IA PRC), Prof.B.Gritters

Front row (l-r): Prof.R.Dykstra, Prof.R.Cammenga, Joe Holstege (SE PRC), Ryan Barnhill (Hudsonville PRC), Brian Feenstra (Hope PRC, Grand Rapids), Aaron Lim (Covenant ERC, Singapore)

Pastor Vernon Ibe, serving in the Berean PRC in Manila, the Philippines, has published a new family and church family newsletter. Read the attached newsletter, or visit the Missions page for the latest news. Besides learning about the activities and events of the last few months, you won't want to miss the wonderful pictures!

Here's the note which Pastor Ibe sent with the newsletter:

Dear All,

Ptr. Vernon and family

For the month of September Rev.Carl Haak, pastor of Georgetown PRC, will continue his messages on the Reformed Witness Hour, sponsored by the First Protestant Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, MI. The topics and texts for these messages are as follows (You will also find the September flyer in pdf form attached here for posting use):

Sept. 1, 2013: Youth, Remember! Ecclesiastes 12:1

Sept. 8. 2013: Keeping The Lord’s Day Holy; Hebrews 10: 24-25

Sept. 15, 2013: Not Weary in Well Doing; Gal. 6: 9

Sept. 22, 2013: Spiritual Lethargy, Song of Sol. 5: 1-8

Sept. 29, 2013:Grace For Today, Matthew 6: 34

You are cordially invited and encouraged to listen to this solid Reformed radio and internet broadcast!

On Sunday, August 25, 2013, Candidate Erik Guichelaar announced that he was led to accept the call from Randolph (WI) PRC to enter the ministry of the Word and sacraments and become their next pastor. This also meant that he declined the call from Doon (IA) PRC. The plan is for him to be examined at the meeting of Classis West, now to be held Wednesday, October 9, in Loveland, CO, with his ordination and installation to follow shortly thereafter, D.V. We rejoice with Erik and Cherith, and pray that God continues to bless their preparations for the gospel ministry in our churches.

UPDATE from Randolph's Council: "Having accepted our call to serve as our next pastor, the council has requested of the classical committee that Pastor Elect Erik Guichelaar be examined at the meeting of Classis West on October 9 in Loveland, CO. The Lord willing, Pastor Elect Guichelaar will be ordained and installed as Pastor of Randolph PRC, in our sanctuary, during the morning service of October 13. Professor Ron Cammenga will lead us in worship that day and will officiate the installation. Pastor Elect Guichelaar and his wife plan to move to Randolph near the end of September."

On Sunday, Sept.15, 2013, Rev.C.Griess of Calvary PRC in Hull, IA announced that he had declined the call extended to him from Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) on August 26.

The combined consistories of the First Reformed Church, Bulacan and the Berean PRC will be meeting this Wednesday (August 21) at 9:00 a.m. at the Kleyn’s house in Antipolo in order to continue their work toward establishing a federation of Protestant Reformed Churches here in the Philippines.

Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn will be travelling to southern Negros Occidental this week in order to teach Reformed doctrine and Reformed church government to a group of 8 pastors there.

Also, have you been following Rev.Kleyn's reports on the visits of the young people from the CERC of Singapore? Several groups have been visiting the Berean PRC and FRCB this summer, so as to fellowship with her young people. While this friendship has started slowly, it is growing rapidly and has served to bring the three churches together. Read more starting with this post on the Kleyn's blog. And here is a picture of the group after their second visit. 

The 2013 PR Young People's Convention is now history! But the memories live on in the hearts and minds of the young people - and in photo albums. Visit the 2013 Convention website to view the wonderful collection of images capturing the people, places, and activities of our PR young people during this past week at the Lake Williamson Christian Center. Special thanks goes to Crete PRC for hosting such a great convention! May the blessings of this special event continue in the lives of our young people.