This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, February 9-15, 2020

Today, Februay 9, is the sixth Lord's Day of 2020; we may note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

It would not be enough that the gospel be preached and that by this means God might be known in all the world, unless this doctrine had more and more power to touch hearts to the quick and to draw men into obedience. That is why the Holy Spirit came as tongues like as of fire. For in the first place we need to be purged, since there are only corruption and filth in us. If one scans all our affections and desires, he will find that there is stench everywhere. We have to be made over, and God must purge us in a strange fashion. Then, on the other hand, we are as cold as we could be. We need, then, to be set on fire with the love of God. Instead of being all wrapped up in the things of earth, He must raise us on high, which He does by means of His Word. ~ John Calvin

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On Feb.2 Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC) declined the call from Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN).
  
  
• Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC) is considering the call from Kalamazoo PRC (received Jan.26). We pray for God's clear guidance for him as he considers this call.
  
  
• On Jan.19 Rev. H.Bleyenberg (Providence PRC) accepted the call to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB).

  "Rev. Heath Bleyenberg and his wife Deb are busy making preparations for their move to our congregation.  The paperwork is started here and details are being worked out on their end.  They hope to be able to join us Lord willing, in the latter part of March.  May we continue to thank the Lord for his tender mercies and unfailing love towards us as a congregation in providing a shepherd for us." (from a recent bulletin)

  
  Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) is bringing the word there again today as part of a classical appointment.

• Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani and the call to Covenant ERC in Singapore, Grandville PRC's (calling church for minister on loan) bulletin contains this note today: "The last report to the congregation regarding Rev. Mahtani was that the Singaporean government denied Rev. Mahtani an employment pass and that the Session of CERC, Council of Grandville, and Contact Committee were considering further options for his laboring in Singapore as MOL. The Session of CERC decided to file one more appeal of this decision to the Ministry of Defense. The hope is that the session will receive an answer in the next couple of weeks."
  
  
• Rev. M. De Vries is leading the services in First PRC, Edmonton today. Let us continue to pray for Rev. J. Marcus and his family, and that flock there. At the present time, Rev. Marcus continues on a leave of absence from his pastoral duties in Edmonton, but he is available to preach elsewhere in the Protestant Reformed Churches.  Consistories needing pulpit supply are encouraged to contact him.
  
  
• Rev. W. Bruinsma and his wife Mary are laboring in Vellore, India on behalf of Georgetown PRC (see under mission news below). While he is gone, Prof. D. Kuiper is ministering the Word in Pittsburgh PRC today.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Classis West Notice: Classis West will be meeting March 4, 2020 at Peace Church, Dyer, Indiana, D.V.  Anyone having material to go before Classis is asked to ensure it reaches the stated clerk, Rev Joshua Engelsma, prior to Monday, Feb 3, 2020.  May our Lord and Saviour grant our delegates all the grace and wisdom needed to represent our congregation.

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary is entering its fourth week of the second semester. The class schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. Remember to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the work of this new semester.
  
• Sem. Josiah Tan (CERC-Singapore) has been licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches and has begun preaching in the West Michigan area and beyond (He has recently been in NW Iowa and Pittsburgh). Contact Prof. B. Gritters (rector) for scheduling.
  
  
• Looking for some good Reformed books to read, Bible study materials or seminary publications to use? Come and visit the seminary's bookstore! We have a variety of Bibles, commentaries, and good books - used and new - for our members and friends. And you may also make use of our library - here's the link to our online catalog if you wish to search for something to read or use.
  
  
• Need for Ministers: Synod 2019 took a decision to place the urgent need for seminary students before our churches. 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. If you wish to listen to a couple of sermons by our professors that address this need, listen to "The (Suffering) Minister's Steadfast Confession" and "The Beautiful Feet of the Gospel Preacher."

• For more seminary news and information, visit the PRC seminary website! 

*Look for the notice of the 2020 BRF Conference below - this year at the lovely Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland!

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, the following may be mentioned:
  
  • Rev. Ken and Pat Koole are serving the CERC for the month of February. Rev. C. Haak (on his way back from India) assisted Rev. Koole with the annual church visit this past week.
    
  • Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani's application to serve in CERC, our sister church had this report in her bulletin today: "This past week, we have submitted another appeal to MOM and CMPB for the Employment Pass for Rev J. Mahtani to serve as MOL in Singapore. This time we have engaged some legal assistance to make this appeal. Session have also organized a prayer meeting today at 11.30am to call upon the Lord to provide us a Minister to serve in CERC. We urge you to join the church together to call upon Him."
  • The December 2019 newsletter - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently and may be found on this page.

• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC,  the following may be noted:
  • Rev. A. Stewart led Covenant's services today.
    
  • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 27 February, at 7:15 PM.
  • *Join Reformed believers from around the world at the 2020 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland from Saturday, July 11 to Saturday, July 18.  Our speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Rev. Andy Lanning, will lecture on "Union with Christ".  For information see the website http://brfconference.weebly.com or contact Briana Prins at 616-214-2779;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Rooms are filling quickly, so complete your booking form today!
  • Read the new January 2020 issue of the "Covenant Reformed News"!
    
• Concerning the PRC in the Philippines, the following may be gleaned from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
  
  • Congregational and Denominational News:

~ Maranatha PRC: "Rev. R. Smit, our Missionary will lead us in both services. He will continue the Belgic Confession lesson Article 31, “The Calling of the Officebearers of the Church.”

~ Provident PRC: "Rev. Holstege will preach both times for us today and also administer the Lord’s Supper."

~ "Prof. Russ Dykstra and Rev. Ken Koole, from the Contact Committee of the PRCA, will visit the Philippines later this month around the time of Classis (Feb. 25)."

~ The most recent mission newsletter was published and distributed this Fall. You may find that October 2019 update here.

~ And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions.

• 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. One of their students is once again attending the PRC Seminary - Isaac Peters, who along with his wife Bek and four children, are attending Grace PRC while here for his three-year program.

What does it mean that God loved the world and gave Jesus His Son for it? Read this resource for help in understanding the answer.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Are you perhaps looking for 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.
  
  
• Would you like to learn more about the PRC and her doctrines and practices? Are you 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.

• Remember to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • Beginning this month Rev. R. Kleyn of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA is speaking for the RWH. He will be doing a series on prayer, with today's message titled "Praying to Our Heavenly Father" based on Luke 11:2. Listen to the broadcast on the station near you or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.
    
  • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee:

~ The Reformed Witness Hour Committee wishes to remind everyone that you can receive their bi-monthly newsletter via email by simply signing up at http://eepurl.com/gikNsL.  Each newsletter contains information about places around our globe where the RWH is downloaded; news about the RWH’s witness on the radio and via the internet, printed booklet, and CD and links to many popular and relevant RWH messages.

~ A 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:

• Chaperone registration for the 2020 Young People’s Convention hosted by Georgetown PRC is now open!  The convention is planned for August 10-14, 2020 at the Lake Williamson Camp in Carlinville, IL.  To register, go to www.prcconvention.com, and follow the instructions under the Chaperone tab.  If you have any questions, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Conventioneer registration opens March 15.
  
  
• Young Men's Conference - Young men of High School and College age, please plan to attend the GPRC Young Men’s Conference, with the theme of "Run, Fight, Lead!", on Saturday morning, April 25, from 8 am-12:00 pm, at Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church. Breakfast is included! Don’t wait, register today!  For more details and to register please visit georgetownprc.org/runfightlead
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2020 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 30th. 
  
  
• The Western Young People's Retreat, hosted by the Lynden and Spokane Young Peoples, will be held July 14-17, 2020, at Camp Sanders in N. Idaho.  This is a retreat for Young People ages 13-18 (going into 9th-12th grade).  More information and registration will be available in March. Contact Rev. Kleyn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
  
  
• *A new issue of Salt Shakers magazine has been produced and published. To read the December 2019 issue (#58), visit this page.

Rev. W. Bruinsma leading the Sola Gratia classes in Vellore, India this past week, assisted by pastor Paul Raj.

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. Today he is leading both worship services at Georgetown PRC.

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. M. McGeown led the services today.
  • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 27 February, at 7:15 PM.
  • The last mission newsletter from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship - the December 2019 edition - may be found here.

Philippine Missions:

• Berean PRC News: This congregation continues to work in Gabaldon, Nueve Ecija.
• Maranatha PRC news: "Let us pray for Rev. Daniel and Sharon Kleyn, our Missionary couple who visits in Sipalay, Negros Occidental monthly."
• The newest Philippines mission newsletter has been published and posted! The October 2019 issue may be read here.
  
• 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!
  

Keep in prayer 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. From one of this week's reports we learn about the delegation currently there (Rev. & Mrs. W. Bruinsma and Deane and Donna Wassink (who leave Monday):
  

Rev. Bruinsma led the Sola Gratia classes on God’s Attributes – Incommunicable and Communicable.  After the class we went for lunch... After lunch (3pm)we were brought back to the hotel for a few hours then picked up again to go to GFH for the question and answer time with the older children and staff.  They presented questions and Rev B and Deane answered.  It was fun to show them a world map and show them just how far apart we are and yet how we have such a great connection with them because of our love for the Lord and HIS word. 

• We also remember our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh.

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.