On Sunday, January 19, 2014, the congregation of Doon (IA) PRC voted to extend a call to Rev.Ron Van Overloop, pastor of Grace PRC in Standale, MI. Rev. Van Overloop plans to answer this call on February 16. 

May the Lord of the church give clear guidance to this brother as he weighs where Christ will have him continue his labors.

Covenant PRC in Ballymena, N.Ireland has published their latest newsletter, the January 2014 edition. Once again pastor Angus Stewart fills this report with many interesting and exciting news items on this congregation's labors in the British Isles. We imbed it here (see below) for you to read, but you may also find it attached in pdf form, as well as on the sister church page. Take the time to read through this newsletter; you will be inspired to support in prayer this energetic pastor and flock.

Special mention should also be made of the upcoming British Reformed Fellowship Conference. This is the advertisement we received from the BRF for those in the U.S.:

Join Reformed believers from around the world at the British Reformed Fellowship family conference in Scotland, Saturday July 26 - Saturday August 2, 2014. Profs. Engelsma and Hanko will be speaking on the vital subject of "Be Ye Holy: The Reformed Truth of Sanctification." For travel information and booking forms, see the conference website (http://brfconference.weebly.com) or contact Cyndi Kalsbeek (1-616-724-4290; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Kristin Crossett (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

In this connection we may also mention that the official, annual visit of the PRC to this sister church through our Contact Committee will take place in the next week. Here's the notice we have received from the "CC":

Rev. Gary Eriks and Mr. Sid Miedema, representing the Contact Committee of our churches, will be visiting our sister-church in N.Ireland and their mission in Limerick from January 23 to February 4.  This is an annual visit to conduct church visitation with the consistory of the Covenant PRC in NI and to strengthen our relationship together.  The denomination is asked to pray that God would use the trip for the furtherance of the truth which unites our denominations.

Shall we be sure to do this?

The Council of Doon (Iowa) PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Rev. K. Koole (Grandville MI PRC), Rev. S. Key (Loveland CO PRC), and Rev. R. Van Overloop (Grace MI PRC).

The congregational meeting to vote on the trio is set for January 19, 2014 after the morning service.

This week Wednesday, January 15, a delegation from Doon’s council and the Foreign Mission Committee will be traveling to the Philippines for nearly two weeks to encourage our missionaries and their families (Revs.D.Kleyn and R.Smit) and evaluate the work there.

Elder Eugene Van Den Top will be the Doon representative and Ron Brands from Edgerton will represent the FMC.

We pray for traveling mercies and for God's rich blessing on their work while there.

Note: We have received word of the delegates' safe arrival. For information and pictures on the delegation's visit, follow the Kleyn's blog.

In her bulletin Doon PRC also carried this note of interest from Missionary D.Kleyn:

"We recently added a new page to our audio and literature website (called “Current News”). Here is the website that should take you to the page where you will be able to click on (“Current News”) tab near the top."

For example, here is what is posted for this month:

January 2014 Schedule

Pastor Vernon Ibe and his wife Melody have published their latest family and church family newsletter. In it they bring us up to date on their personal family life as well as on their life serving in the Berean PRC in Manila, the Philippines. You will learn much about their life and labors from this newsletter. It is included here in image form as well as attached in pdf form.

After a lengthy travel delay due to bad weather in the Eastern U.S. last weekend, Prof. and Mrs.B.Gritters and Elder and Mrs. D.Wassink arrived safely in Vellore, India early Sunday morning. And after a brief rest and a warm welcome, they dug into their work. You may find daily updates and pictures on Georgetown PRC's Facebook page. Here's a sample from Prof.Gritters on the first day of the conference on Reformed church government:

Today I did finish my first section: What IS the church; discussed the idea of the church and then its marks, then the false church--lots of discussion there.

Tomorrow, DV, the calling of the church. First, the offices, and show that the offices of apostle and prophet are no longer in the church after the apostles passed away--thus no miracles; you remember this as part of the questions last year. Then, the WORK of the church as it fits with the three offices.

Then, Thursday, DV, the calling of the member of the church, harmonizing with the three-fold office of believer. Lots of material and not enough time. 

The picture of the white board is my notes and Paul's addition in Tamil script (See the additional pictures at the Facebook link - cjt.)

Lori's hand with a lady of the fellowship at the conference. She and lori were washing hands together, and she spontaneously took Lori's hand and remarked at the different colors. Apicture to show the unity of the church that we've been teaching.