CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended

To Rev. L. Blok, of Nunspeet, the Netherlands, by the Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, Congregation. Calls Declined:

To the Sunnyside, Washington, Congregation; to the Rock Valley, Iowa, Congregation; to the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation; and to the Unionville, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Candidate B. VanDerHeiden, of Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Candidate B. VanDerHeiden has accepted a call to the Woerden, the Netherlands, Congregation.

REV. L. KIEBOOM

The address of Rev. L. Kieboom has been changed from (308) to 316 Kwanzen Dr., Lynden, Washington 98264.

CURATORIUM - NETHERLANDS

In the Netherlands, the Curatorium assembled the week of June 6 through June 9. At that time, Student B. VanDerHeiden was declared eligible for a call in the congregations. Dr. P. VanRuitenburg was granted permission to be admitted to the Theological School. Alas, no freedom could be given for acceptance to other members who were examined at this time.

On the other hand, it is still a wonder of the Lord that one new student was permitted to pursue the lessons the following season. Mr. A. J. Gunst received freedom to speak in the congregations as a third year student. Mr. J. Beens was promoted to the fourth year, and Mr. G. H. VanAalst was promoted to the second year. May the Lord’s blessing rest upon all these decisions.

CURATORIUM - AMERICA

On 14 June, 1983 the Curatorium of our Netherlands Reformed Congregations met at Grand Rapids, Michigan. Sadly, no male member appeared before us with consistorial attestation to be heard for the sacred task of ministerial and/or missionary labor. God’s judgments certainly appear to be lying heavily upon us, but how few among us take it to heart! May God grant more Jeremiahs, who must righteously complain: “For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me” (Jer. 8:21).

Brothers Spaans and DenHoed passed their examinations in a very satisfactory manner. Unanimously, they were promoted to their fourth and third years of study respectively. Brother DenHoed was also granted permission to speak an edifying word in the midst of the congregations from Sabbath to Sabbath. May the Lord remember both of our students in His mercy, grant them the endowment of His Spirit, and bless their labors in the midst of the congregations. May He grant Aarons and Hurs to remember them, their wives, and families at the throne of grace, together with their instructors.

Rev. J.R. Beeke, clerk

ONTARIO

One of the founders of our churches in Ontario, Canada has passed away. When our churches first started there, there were five persons who would read sermons in their homes: Dr. DePater, Mr. Droogers, Mr. Dieleman, Mr. Tollenaar and Mr. VanderWal. On October 18, 1948, I was accompanied to Canada by my wife and Elder Chris Van’t Hof and his wife to preach for those families and to baptize their children. Only Mr. W. Droogers is still alive.

At that time we preached in the Church of the United Brethren in Courtland. The minister of that church was also present then even though the sermon was in the Holland language.

Later on, Rev. Hegeman and myself also preached in Luyendock, Otterville, Tilsonberg and finally in Norwich. After some years, the VanderWal family moved to Evert and became members at Bradford. About 2½ years ago, Mrs. VanderWal died in the hope of eternal life. Rev. A. DenBoer, moderator at that time, conducted the funeral service. On June 11 of this year, I was privileged to officiate at the funeral in Aliston for Mr. VanderWal who had suffered with cancer for about two years. Our text was Psalm 27:10. The two children living in the Netherlands as well as those who are living in Ontario were able to attend the service besides many friends who came from different places.

“Lord, teach us to number our days.”

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen