This past week Missionary-pastors D. Kleyn and R.Smit once again held their 7M pastors' training classes in the Metro Manila area. Rev. Smit is teaching a class in OT exegesis and Rev.Kleyn began a class in catechetics (how to teach catechism to the youth of the church).

What made this time unique is that for the first time the missionaries used videos of one of our own Seminary courses - videos that had been made with this very purpose in mind. Rev.Kleyn used and will be using videos of Prof.B.Gritters course on Catechetics taught just last Fall (2014) in our Seminary. Some thirty lectures were saved on a flash drive and sent to our missionaries in the Philippines through Prof. (emeritus) D.Engelsma who was just there for a special conference.

This was exciting for both the missionaries and for the faculty here, as we have been taping other classes with this in mind (Dogmatics, church history, church polity, etc.). Both missionaries testified to the great value of this for themselves and for the pastors being trained there. One of them made this comment by way of email as a follow-up:

I've looked forward to what happened on Tuesday for a long time: having lectures of a complete course from our Seminary courses used in a pastor's training setting, like 7M. It was indeed a thrill to witness what I regard as no little accomplishment and a significant cooperation between our seminary and our mission work in the Philippines, addressing a concrete need.

We thank the Lord that this modern technology can be used in this way. May we continue to pray for God's blessing on this kind of cooperation between our Seminary and our mission labors in distant lands.

Rev.Kleyn also sent along a couple of pictures of the class, for which we thank him.

First PRC of Grand Rapids, MI and the Reformed Witness Hour Committee announce the messages scheduled for February 2015 on the RWH radio program.

Rev.Rodney Kleyn, pastor of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA is our "new" radio voice for the next four months, and begins with a series on Psalm 16 this month.

Below is the schedule of messages, which you will also find attached in pdf form.

For stations and times for listening to the RWH program, visit the RWH website. Be sure to listen each Sunday on a station near you - or anytime through our website!

Are you a Standard Bearer subscriber? If so, have you been reading the January 15, 2015 issue? It is loaded with fine articles that make for edifying reading as you start the new year.

Need an encouraging meditation to give you perspective on the new year? Read Rev.J.Marcus' meditation, "Abounding in the Work of the Lord."

As preachers, elders, and listeners, do you consider seriously how the ministers of God's Word ought to preach "without fear or favor"? Read Prof.B.Gritters' editorial, "Sine Timore aut Favore: A Motto for Preachers."

What do you know about church history? Would you like to read more in this area? For inspiration, read Rev.C.Spronk's article, "The Importance of Knowing Church History."

How evil do you consider abortion to be? Learn more about this in Rev.M.McGeown's "All Around Us" article: "Abortion: the Culture of Death."

Do you have teenagers that date or court? Then as parents and as teens you should take the time to read Rev.G.Eriks' article on "Dating for God's Glory" (the first of more to come!).

And there is more in this issue - another look at Premillennialism by Prof.D.Engelsma; another installment on the "Qualifications of the Office of Elder" by Rev.D.Kuiper; a book review on the Puritan idea of preparatory grace - and church news! Check out the cover below for all the articles:

If you are not a subscriber, consider becoming one. Visit the "SB" subscription page for more information, including e-subscriptions.

On Sunday January 25, 2015, it was announced in Doon PRC (calling church for the mission field in the Philippines) that Rev.W.Langerak (SE PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) had declined the call to serve as missionary on this field, replacing Rev.R.Smit.

Rev.Smit and his family will be leaving the field in March of this year and has just received the call to First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI. Rev.D.Kleyn also continues to serve as missionary in the Philippines along with his wife Sharon.

Let us continue to pray for this field and for its need of a second missionary to serve alongside Rev.Kleyn.

At her congregational meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2015, Peace PRC (Lansing, IL) voted to call Rev.R.Kleyn, currently pastor of Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA (since 2009).

He plans to answer this call by Sunday, Feb.15.

It is our prayer that the Lord will make clear His will to this pastor, as well as give him grace to submit to it.

Our sister church in Northern Ireland, Covenant PRC, Ballymena, has just released her latest newsletter. In the January 2015 issue Rev.Angus Stewart reports on the latest activities inside and outside the congregation, with special focus on the recent visit of the PRC delegation, Prof.B.Gritters and Mr.David Kregel, along with their wives.

Rev.Stewart also reports on his busy activities in the congregation and the work of spreading the Reformed faith through the CPRC website - especially the many translations!

Be sure to read this newsletter below to be better informed of what our "sister" and her pastor are doing in the British Isles. This newsletter is also attached here in pdf form (see below).

On Sunday, January 18, the congregation of First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI voted to extend a call to Rev.R.Smit from her trio consisting also of Revs.N.Decker and C.Haak.

Rev.Smit is currently laboring as a missionary in the Philippines.

As the Lord Jesus Christ lays this call on his heart, may Rev.Smit find clear knowledge of His will and sufficient grace to follow that will.

Hudsonville PRC's Evangelism Commitee is sponsoring a special conference on financial stewardship the end of January (29th) and in February (5th and 12th).

Details on "Managing God's Money" may be found on the flyer posted below and at Hudsonville PRC's website. Be sure to register soon for this free event!