This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, August 18-24, 2019

On this thirty-third Lord's Day of 2019, August 18, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon IA PRC) has been considering the call from Grandville PRC (received July 11) to serve as minister on loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore. Today he announced his decline of this call..
  
  
• Cand. M. Kortus continues to consider the calls to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB, received July 14) and to Hope PRC (Redlands, CA, received July 21). May the King of the church give him clear guidance with regard to these calls.

• Cand. J. Maatman is considering the call to Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI, received July 21). May the Lord make plain to him His will.
  
  
• Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) has extended a call to Cand. M. Kortus (July 14). Today her pulpit will be supplied again by Rev. J. Laning of Hull PRC (Iowa).
  
  
• Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) extended a call to Candidate J. Maatman (July 21). Today, Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. C. Griess are leading her worship services. And a reminder: The congregation is currently worshiping at Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI, while she looks for a new location.
  
  
• The delegation sent to Mexico on behalf of First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) returned this past week. The following note was found in First's bulletin today: "Along with the rest of the team, Rev. Griess, Bryan Pastoor, Lydia Monsma, and Madelyn Monsma returned safely home and to our congregation this past Monday.  The trip was very profitable and enjoyable.  A presentation has already been given to the young people at the convention in Hillsdale.  A report will be given to the council of First PRC and a presentation will be given in due time.  We give thanks to First PRC for supporting this work financially and with prayer."
  
  
• From Byron Center PRC's Council we find this significant note in a recent bulletin: "At the meeting this past Wednesday our Council approved the request of those desiring to organize a daughter church and is forwarding this request to Classis East which will meet on September 11. There are 55 families, 17 individuals and a total of 215 souls that have signed to be part of this new church which, if the Lord wills to be organized, will be named Unity Protestant Reformed Church. We thank our heavenly Father for His blessing upon this work. To God be the glory!"
  
  
• This past week was the PRC Young People's Convention, hosted by Providence and Southwest PRC's. The convention will be held at Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, MI. In SW-PRC's bulletin today we fine this special note: "The 2019 Protestant Reformed Young People’s Convention was a great success! Many thanks to the members of the steering committee, the various subcommittees, helpers, and all who donated or participated in one way or another from both Southwest and Providence. It takes a lot of time and hard work to organize a weeklong event like this, both in years of preparation and in the convention week itself, and all week long the work was carried out with great attitudes. Young people, chaperones, and observers alike have expressed over and over again their appreciation for your service of hosting a week of edifying Christian fellowship for our Young People. THANK YOU!"
  

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Synod 2019:

• On June 30 Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) accepted Synod 2019's call to serve as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament (replacing Prof. R. Cammenga within five years). His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 during a divine worship service at Grandville PRC (7 pm).
• The PRC Synod of 2019 declared Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. They are eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019.
• Need for Ministers: Synod 2019 took a decision to place the urgent need for seminary students before our churches. Nine of our 39 active ministers are 63 years of age and older. The next prospect for seminary graduates in our churches is not for another four years. Then those nine ministers will be 67 and older. Please remember in your prayers to petition the Lord of the harvest for pastors, and please encourage young men, whom you observe to have the gifts, to consider the ministry.

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary's summer break is nearly over, as the second semester begins in just one week - August 26 (freshman orientation is this week Friday, Aug.23).  In addition to all the other activities and the renovation project of the summer, faculty and staff continue preparing for the new semester, the schedule for which has been posted on the seminary's website. The seminary is open daily (M-F, 8-5) and staff is available to assist with any needs.
  
  
• Note for seminary course auditors: Seminary classes begin for the first semester on Tuesday, August 27. Three classes are open for auditors. For Prof. R. Cammenga: NT History (the intertestamental period to the Passion Week) and Dogmatics (Ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church). For Prof. R. Dykstra: Reformation Church History.  If you are interested in attending, please contact the seminary secretary for the meeting times, at 616-531-1490.
• On June 30 Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) accepted Synod 2019's call to serve as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament (replacing Prof. R. Cammenga within five years). His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 during a divine worship service at Grandville PRC (7 pm). This will also be the seminary's convocation, marking the beginning of a new season of instruction, with the returning and new students introduced. Those in West Michigan are encouraged to join us at this special evening. For those outside of the Grand Rapids, MI area, the service will be live-streamed on Grandville PRC's Sermonaudio channel.
  
  
• The seminary's two 2019 graduates, Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman, sustained their synodical examinations at the PRC 2019 Synod and were declared candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC, eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019. Both have now received calls from vacant congregations. We praise God for this evidence of His confirmation of the call they felt when they began seminary.
  
  
• The Spring 2019 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently available! For back issues, visit the seminary journal page. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, contact the seminary's secretary. In addition, a new index to all past issues has been posted on the Journal's archives page.

• Be sure to visit the new PRC seminary website! There are many new features and updates, including a blog. Visit the site and check out the various pages - and sign up to receive seminary news by email! The library is also online there (under Resources). If you are looking for a particular book to read or use, or just want to browse, visit the library page.

In view of the start of the new semester, work progresses rapidly on the seminary addition/library renovation project (new archives and offices). This past week the carpeting was installed in the library, new offices, and hallways, the books and shelves began to be moved back into the library, Prof. R. Dykstra was moved into his new office, and Rev. B. Huizinga's office further prepared.

*Opening day of the new PRC-Philippines' seminary this past week. The young man in the middle (Jeremiah) is the full time student. The other two are taking Greek for now.

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following:
  • Today's bulletin contains these important notices: "This past Thursday, 15 August, we bade farewell to Josiah, Hui Qi & family and Marcus, Tze Yan & family. May God bless them richly in their labours as they study for the work of the ministry. Coming Monday, 19 August, we will also be bidding fond farewell to Rev Jonathan Mahtani and his two sons, Levi and Shane. ...We are very grateful to God for them, esp. for Rev Jonathan Mahtani, for his lively preaching of God’s word and also the wonderful time of fellowship we could have with them."
  • Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon, IA PRC) has declined the call to sevre as minister on loan to the CERC (Auhust 18).
  • Her latest newsletter (June 2019) - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently posted and may be found on this page.
    
• Concerning our newest sister, the PRC in the Philippines, we may note the following from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:

• Berean PRC:
  
  • Rev. V. Ibe has accepted the call to serve as PRCP missionary in Albuera, Leyte. They are making plans to move to that area. Pray for them as they make this transition in terms oflocation and labors.
    
• PRC in Bulacan:
• Maranatha PRC:
• Provident CC:
  • "Rev. Holstege will preach both times today. Next Sunday, Rev. Kleyn is scheduled to preach both times for PPRC since Rev. Holstege will teach and preach for the Bearers of Light Church in Guiguinto. At their request, he will lead them (for the first time) in a full Reformed worship service. Deacon Jun Armas will accompany him."
  • And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions (bulletins).

• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart is leading the services today.
  • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted (May 2019).
    
  • Read the newest issue of Covenant Reformed News! That issue (May 2019) can be found here.

• *The PRC also has a "corresponding relationship" with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Australia. We remember these brothers and sisters in our prayers and labors also.

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SPECIAL NOTICES:

• If you are in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing, visit the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.
  
  
• Do you have an interest in good Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine? Visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association's website (www.rfpa.org), where you will find information on books in all major Christian categories, as well as on the bi-monthly periodical, the Standard Bearer.
  
  
• You can now listen to the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt on audio! Visit the links provided to hear the Catechism, the Confession, and the Canons read by Elijah Roberts. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

• Remember to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • This week Rev. C. Griess (pastor of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI) continues a three-month commitment to the program with a special series on the Five Points of Calvinism (for Dordt400) under the theme "Irresistible Grace (2)" (which you may listen to at this link).

  • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee: Have you checked out our newsletters? If you would like to receive them digitally in your emailbox, please sign up for our bimonthly newsletter here: ehttp://epurl.com/gikNsL. The latest newsletter contained this interesting information: *Mark your calendar for our 4000th broadcast! On September 1, 2019 we will be airing "Whosoever Will May Come," by Rev. Herman Hoeksema to celebrate 4000 broadcasts of the RWH. This is the original audio from October 1944. Be sure to tune in on September 1 to hear this great message on salvation by sovereign grace!

  • A new Spanish edition of the RWH has been produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Why not check it out - and help spread the word!

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

• The 2019 PRYP's Convention is now history (held Aug.12-16 at Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, MI.). Southwest and Providence PRCs hosted this years' event. For pictures and more visit this YouTube channel.
  
  
• The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (August 2019 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
  

*CERC Fellowship Camp in Kolkata, India (see note below)

PRC MISSION NEWS:

Domestic Labors:

• Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond through Byron Center PRC, the calling church.
• From Byron Center PRC's bulletin today we find this note: "Missionary Spriensma is filling the pulpit at Cornerstone PRC."

United Kingdom:

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. M. McGeown is preaching today and will lead the Bible study Tuesday 8 PM in Corbally.
  • The March 2019 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station was received and posted recently.

Philippine Missions:

• PRC in Bulacan, (the calling church of the mission work in Albuera, Leyte) extended the call to Rev. Ibe (Berean PRC) to serve as missionary/pastor to this field. Rev. Ibe has accepted this call, which means that the PRCP will have its first missionary as a denomination. We rejoice with them in God's good provision of a man for this work.
• The last Philippines mission newsletter was received and posted in July 2019 and may be found on this PRC webpage.
  
• For more on life and activities in the Philippines from the personal perspective of the missionary's, visit the Kleyn's blog, the Holstege's, and the Smits!
  

Let us continue in prayer to the Lord for the fulfillment of the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace to be faithful and encouraged in all their labors.

India:

• Let us remember to pray for the Lord's blessing on Georgetown PRC's labor in Vellore, India.
• *And we remember our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh. From her bulletin today we find this special notice: "Another very significant milestone in the development of the CERC Fellowship [in Kolkata] is the approval by the Indian Government to officially recognize them as the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of India, CERCI with effect from 1 April 2019. Praise and thanks to God for His doing! We rejoice immensely at this wonderful news! Let’s continue to pray that the Lord will guide CERCI and bless them as they seek to establish themselves as a Church Institute in the near future, the Lord willing."
  

Myanmar:

• Let us also remember Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar; for his latest report, visit this page.