CHURCH NEWS

Calls Accepted;

To the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation, by Rev. A. Vergunst, of Veen, the Netherlands.

REV. J. C. WESTSTRATE

The deputies for correspondence with foreign churches have received information that in October the Rev. J. C. Weststrate, with his wife, hopes to visit his children in Ontario, and to preach at that time, the Lord willing. May it all be in the favor of the Lord.

The Deputies,
Rev. A.M. Den Boer
Rev. W.C. Lamain

YOUTH DAY

The Grand Rapids congregation hosted the more than 500 people who gathered for the annual Classis East-Midwest Youth Day Conference on July 5. The majority of those attending were young people, although there were many parents present as well. In addition to many from the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo congregations, many of our other congregations were also well represented by young people.

Rev. Lamain opened the morning session with prayer and a few remarks on Psalm 119:1–16, with special attention directed to verse 9. On behalf of the Grand Rapids consistory he welcomed all those in attendance and expressed his wish that the day would be instructive and blessed to all.

The first address of the morning was given by Rev. Vergunst, who spoke on “An angel of light”. These words were taken form II Cor. 11:14, “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”. In his address, Rev. Vergunst pointed out some of the ways in which the church has been “corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ.” Many Reformed denominations are turning from the truths taught by the Reformers and the Puritans to false doctrines of man. This is the result, said Rev. Vergunst, of a decline in the working of the Holy Spirit within the churches, leading to a lack of practical and experimental knowledge of Scripture. He urged all present to pray for the work of the Spirit and to remain true to the doctrines taught within our denomination. Because of the large number of topics touched upon in his address, Rev. Vergunst received more than twenty questions. He was unable to answer all of them, and promised to respond to the remainder in the Banner of Truth. Possibly his address will also be presented in part to our readers in a future issue.

Following his talk, the combined choirs of Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo sang several Psalter numbers and other selections under the direction of Mr. William Schol, Jr. The Grand Rapids choir has recently concluded taping for a record to be available later in the year.

Mr. Robert VanderBoon of Grand Rapids spoke of “True Contentment”. In our rapidly changing world, the lack of true contentment or happiness of natural man is very evident. Many seek contentment in the temporary pleasures by scholastic achievement, financial success, sports, drugs, alcohol, or sexual relationships. In response to a question, Mr. VanderBoon said that we may legitimately pursue scholastic excellence, family or career, provided that we do not seek to make them the source of our ultimate happiness. For that, only the salvation which is in Christ will suffice.

The morning session was concluded with prayer by Rev. Vergunst, who asked a blessing on the lunch at the same time. Lunch was served in the church basement by ladies of the Grand Rapids congregation, who clearly had devoted a good deal of effort to preparing a delicious meal for us.

Elder G. Moerdyk from Kalamazoo opened the afternoon session with Scripture reading from Matthew 6:16–34 and prayer. He then introduced the St. Catharines choir who sang a selection of Psalters and hymns for us. A tape of this choir will also be available later this year.

Elder Moerdyk then assumed his role as “Uncle Garret” and conducted a Bible quiz for those under 14. Fortunately those over 14 did not have to compete in answering some of the difficult questions. Although the girls have usually been the winners, the boys won this year under the coaching of Rev. Vergunst.

The final address of the day was given by Elder J. VanDyke of Grand Rapids. The theme of this address was “Come out from among them and be ye separate”. He applied this text to marriage to persons from outside our denomination. Since he had come to our church from another denomination, he was able to speak from his own experience of the difficulties which such a marriage brings with it. He repeatedly pointed to the dangers of the Christian Reformed doctrine of covenant children and to the value of the truth as it is taught in our denomination. He briefly answered some questions addressed to him.

In his closing remarks, Elder M. VandenToorn expressed his enjoyment of the events of the day which was the first Youth Day Conference he attended. He, too, urged all present to remain with the church. After thanking Dr. and Mrs. Gordon Deur who supervised the conference, the speakers, and all others who helped with food preparation, he closed with prayer, asking the Lord’s blessing upon all that was spoken.

A picnic was held in the evening for more than 350 young people. A word of thanks should also be expressed to the members of the Grand Rapids congregation for their hospitality to the young people who visited them.

Tom Blok

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I recently received a gift of $50.00 for the Inheritance Publishers from a friend in Grand Rapids. We hereby express our hearty thanks.

-Rev. W. C. Lamain

KALAMAZOO

After having been without a pastor for seven years, and having extended so many calls to various ministers, also several calls to the Rev. A. Vergunst, the consistory was privileged to receive the glad tidings that the Rev. Arie Vergunst has accepted the call extended to him. That “news” spread rapidly in the congregation, and even in Grand Rapids and in Ontario, since Rev. Vergunst had told Rev. DenBoer and us, by telephone, that the Lord had inclined his heart to accept again a pastorate in the United States. After much unrest he was given rest in his soul when he had made the decision.

With all our heart we hope that the coming of our brother may be in God’s favor, to the glorification of God’s name, to the breaking down of the stronghold of the devil, and to the upbuilding and establishing of the Church. May the Lord remember his dear wife and children in following their husband and father, with submission to the will of God; and may He confirm to the minister and to his family the promise of Psalm 32:8.

The Editor

REV. A. ELSHOUT

At the same time, as Editor of the Banner of Truth I would take the opportunity to remind the congregations of the fact that the Rev. A. Elshout and his congregation hope to observe that on September 8 it will be 25 years that he has served the congregations. He served in Utrecht, Scheveningen, Artesia, Kalamazoo, and since June, 1974, Slikkerveer.

We congratulate this brother with the privilege given him. May the Lord receive all the honor, and may He in His favor further spare him, for the congregations, and for his wife and children for many years. May the God of all grace anoint him with His Spirit, both personally and as a minister. Congratulations from all the congregations in the United States and Canada.

The Editor

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