NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & EVENTS

CHURCH NEWS

MINISTERIAL CALLS

Extended:

To Rev. J. Spaans of Norwich, Ontario, by the congregation of Urk, the Netherlands.

To Rev. J. van Eckeveld ofZeist, the Netherlands, by the congregation of Clifton, New Jersey.

To Rev. J. den Hoed of Rock Valley, Iowa, by the Grand Rapids congregation of Covell Avenue.

To Rev. C. Hogchem of Borssele, the Netherlands, by the congregation of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Declined:

By Rev. J. den Hoed of Rock Valley, Iowa, to the Lynden, Washington, congregation.

By Rev. A. M. den Boer of Sunnyside, Washington, to the congregation ofOud Beijerland, the Netherlands.

By Rev. C. Vogelaar of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, to the congregation of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

By Rev. J. Spaans of Norwich, Ontario, to the congregation of Uddel, the Netherlands.

“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Clasis East
Youth Conference

Again a reminder that the Youth Conference for Classis East will be held this year, D.V., on Saturday, July 2, 1994, in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Those planning to attend are requested to call in advance so that plans can be made for them. Those requiring accommodations may contact one of the following persons: Jennifer Bednarski, (201)694-7122, or Karen Wesdyk, (201)445-0147. Please call by June 18th, if at all possible.

It is hoped that many will be able to be present at the conference.

OBITUARY

HARDEMAN, Arisje — Age 83, April 6, 1994; Burgessville, Ontario; Husband — Aris (deceased); Children — Eefje & Jake Smits, Roefie & Adrian Droogers, Gerrie Van’t Hof, Dina De Jonge, Wyntje & Hank Butyn, George & Liz Hardeman, Lucy & Bobby Baldree, Brian & Helen Hardeman, Wilma & Ken Devine, Erna & Floyd Corbett, Ernie & Reta Hardeman, Albert & Mary Hardeman, Jeanne & Marty Morris, Jack & Margaret Hardeman, and Nick & Carrie Hardeman; Sister — Berta Teunissen; 52 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren. (Rev. J. Spaans — Ecclesiastes 12:7-14.)

POST, Gertrude — Age 80, March 28, 1994; Doon, Iowa; Husband — Simon; Children — Kenneth & Tracy Post, Willard & Janet Post, Marv & Joan Post, and Wilma & Alvin Van Bemmel; Sisters — Jennie Den Boer, Henrietta Uittenbogaard, and Marie Kruizenga; 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren. (Rev. J. den Hoed — Matthew 24:44a.)

FILAK, Arthur — Age 45, March 17, 1994; Glen Rock, New Jersey; Wife — Nancy (Verblaauw); Step-son — David Mowad; Brothers — John and Robert; Sisters — Eleanor Barbo, Helene Curtis, Susan Filak, and Patricia Grundmann. (Elder N. Vander Have — Ecclesiastes 3:2.)

BOVEN, Jacob — Age 100, April 8, 1994; Holland, Michigan; Wife — Donna (deceased); Daughter — Mrs. Robert Freye; 6 grandchildren. (Rev. G. Kuijt — Psalm 27:4.)

NON, Joseph — Age 82, April 14, 1994; Haledon, New Jersey; Wife — Elva; Daughter — Beverly Jacq; Sisters — Cornelia (Verblaauw) and Theresa (Vande Vrede); 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren. (Rev. C. Vogelaar — Hebrews 13:14.)

Classis Far West
3-Day Youth Conference

Due to the number of participants in the past years, two separate camp conferences are again being planned in Classis Far West for this summer, the Lord willing. The first is for young people ages 15 (or entering 10th grade) through 19, beginning on Tuesday evening, July 19, and concluding on Friday morning, July 22, D.V. The second conference is planned for young people post-high school age through 25 (and older, ifsingle) from Tuesday, August 16, to Friday, August 19, D.V. Young people graduated from high school through age 19 may choose which session they desire to attend.

We have been able to reserve the same location as previous years for both Youth Conferences, i.e., Bear Paw Retreat and Conference Center near the Washington/Idaho border.

Young people desiring to attend from local congregations will need to meet together to organize group bus (or van) transportation, as no individual cars are permitted at the camp. Young people from more distant localities should contact the conference coordinator for making arrangements in this regard.

Total conference/camp cost is $70 (U.S.) or $85 (Can.) per person, which includes all food and lodging expenses, as well as use of the facilities.

Young people desiring more information are invited to request the information packet and reservation form from the conference coordinator listed below.

May God graciously bless this opportunity for providing meaningful topics for instruction, times for discussion, and opportunities for meeting one another as young people from our congregations.

Conference Planning Committee
Mr. C. Les, Conference Coordinator
Phone (604) 794-3772

TEACHERS NEEDED

CALVIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Lethbridge/Ft. Macleod, Canada

Looking forward to the 1994-1995 school year, the Lord willing, the schoolboard invites applications from qualified teachers for their school in Monarch. Monarch — where is this place? The school is situated in the midst of farmland, approximately half-way between the congregations of Fort Macleod and Lethbridge, an hour’s drive east of the Rockies, and a good hour’s drive north of the Montana border. We hope we may receive applications for the growing number of children in our school. Experience is an asset, but not a must. Students in their final year of teacher preparation are also very welcome to apply.

We have a place for you if you can teach in any of the following areas:

lower elementary
upper elementary
special education
junior and senior high school, any subject,
but especially English, science,
mathematics, computer, home
economics, industrial education, and
business education

For more information, phone Mr. A. H. Verhoef, principal, (403)381-3030 (school) or (403)381-4434 (home). Send applications to the secretary of the schoolboard, Mr. A. M. de Wilde, P.O. Box 142, Monarch, Alberta, Canada T0L 1M0.

EBENEZER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Ebenezer Christian School is in need of a full-time teacher for the 1994-1995 school year, the Lord willing, covering grades 5-8 (subjects to include math, spelling/vocabulary, and reading). Certification preferred, but not required. Those interested may contact Mr. David Vlietstra, W5126 Pilgrim Lane, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 53020. His phone number is (414)894-7907.

REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Norwich, Ontario

We are taking applications for one full-time elementary teaching position for grades 3-6 for the coming school year and one for grades 7 through ILC. Those interested in teaching at our school at another grade level are also kindly asked to respond. For information or for an application, please contact Mr. Martien C. Vanderspek, principal, at (519)863-2403 (school) or (519)863-3119 (home), or Mr. Henry Scholten, president, at (519)468-2714 (home).

PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Grand Rapids, Michigan

At the elementary level we anticipate, the Lord willing, a need for one full-time instructor and one part-time instructor in the middle elementary grades for the school year 1994-1995. Interested certified instructors are encouraged to contact the principal, Mr. David Engelsma, at (616) 458-4637, as soon as possible for further information and an application form.

Our high school is in need of certified teachers in grades 7-12 for the 1994-1995 school year, D. V. Combinations of subjects are possible, with an emphasis on English and math. Qualified persons should contact the principal, Mr. Richard J. TenElshof, at (616)454-9481, as soon as possible.

Completed applications should be sent to the respective principals as follows:

Mr. David Engelsma
Plymouth Christian Elementary
1000 Ball Avenue, N.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Mr. Richard TenElshof
Plymouth Christian High School
965 Plymouth, N.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

NETHERLANDS REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Rock Valley, Iowa

An industrial arts teacher is needed for grades 7-12 for the 1994-1995 school year. For information or an application form please contact the school at 712 20th Avenue, Rock Valley, Iowa 51247, phone (712)476-2821, Mr. Harold Schelling, principal.

Anniversary

The Lord willing,
on May 20, 1994,

Mr. and Mrs. John Scholten

of Courtland, Ontario,

hope to commemorate their
25th wedding anniversary.

May the Lord be with them on this
special occasion and in the future.

IN MEMORIAM

Rev. D. Hakkenberg 1929 — 1994

What a great consternation was brought upon us in the morning of Good Friday by the very sad message that our dearly beloved brother, Rev. D. Hakkenberg, had become ill on arising and almost immediately passed away.

How unexpectedly he was removed from his wife, children, and grandchild, from his congregation, and from us. But also what a loss for our entire denomination, in which the Lord had placed him and which was close to his heart. He carried the needs and the concerns of the congregations upon his heart. He had a shepherd’s heart and a priestly compassion. This caused him to pray and also often to sigh, in love and uprightness seeking the good of our congregations.

He is no longer among us. His place here is empty. It is grievous and also a cause of concern. Not that the future or the welfare of the church is dependent upon a man (or men), but the Lord does work through means. Our brother did not carry a stick to strike, but nevertheless, if not at the cost of the truth, he made use of the two staffs which are mentioned in Zechariah 11, namely, Beauty and Bands. This was not a result of his noble character, but of the grace which the Lord had granted him in his life.

Dirk Hakkenberg was born February 26, 1929, in Bodegraven, the Netherlands. After graduation from school, he pursued further education at the teachers’ college in Utrecht. Already in his youth the Lord had laid a new choice in his heart. Under the preaching of Rev. J. van den Berg of Utrecht the Lord desired to instruct him in the way of salvation. Called to the ministry, he presented himself in 1960 and was permitted to receive instruction at the Theological School in Rotterdam.

After being made eligible for a call in 1964, the Lord directed him to Dordrecht, where he was installed by Rev. De Gier. That evening when he took up the shepherd’s staff, he chose as text 1 Samuel 3:1 Ob, “And Samuel said, Speak; for Thy servant heareth.” In this the entire ministerial service of our brother is depicted. While he labored in Dordrecht, the congregation increased by 400 members.

In 1973 he followed up the call to Lisse, where he served them and the Classis of Amsterdam for twelve and a half years. With much pleasure he was enabled to perform his work there. On the one hand he was a means in God’s hand for the opening of blind souls’ eyes, and on the other hand he had to bring many children of God in Lisse to the grave.

Groningen was the next area in which he continued his labor, and he was installed there on May 22,1985, by Rev. Th. van Stuijvenberg. There his work was much more extensive than just the entire province of Groningen. Because he was thoroughly convinced of the need of a school of a Reformed background, he was the driving force for it. What a gladness it gave him that this was possible and became reality.

After Groningen his way led to Gorinchem in 1992. After accepting the call, he was overcome with a heart attack. Although, by God’s goodness, he recovered, from that time he had to restrict himself. For one for whom nothing was too much, this was very difficult for him.

He has accomplished much work in the kingdom of God, having had a place on many committees and boards. He served many years on the Mission Board, the committee for Evangelization, the Curatorium for the Theological School, and in support of the Saambinder. Until 1985 he supported the cause of the deaf, and for twenty years he was a board member for “De Driestar,” the school community in Gouda. Various other tasks were performed by him for the general concern of our congregations. Repeatedly he was delegated to the major assemblies, where he at various times was chosen to serve in the moderamen.

An end has come to his busy life. He may have done these things with God’s help and grace. But the Lord has said, “It is enough.” That which has been of him falls away, just as all work of men shall one day fall away. If on occasion he would permit a view of his heart, there was evidence of the grace of humility. He would then say, “Oh, our work is so insignificant; it will be a wonder if something good is found in it. However, the work of the greater Servant of the Father is so perfect; there is not anything lacking in it.”

The content of his preaching was Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the only ground of salvation. It was his soul’s delight to proclaim Christ in His beauty, in His preciousness, and in His necessity, to present Him before the congregation in the way of His humiliation, but also in His exaltation. Two days before his departure, he told me that it was his intention to preach on Good Friday on the text from John 19:30b, “And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.” He then spoke about how the testament no longer needed to be made, but that it was made and was of force in the death of the Testator. At that moment it was lively in his soul. How quickly his faith was changed to beholding. He frequently said, “For we now see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Here we can but stammer about it.”

By his separation our brother leaves a large, empty place. May the Lord especially strengthen Mrs. Hakkenberg and our brother, Rev. Zippro, and his wife in this painful loss. May He give that, also in the future, they may be united to God’s holy will in this incomprehensible way for us. It is a great privilege to lose one another “in the Lord,” but how necessary is His comfort and support as the separation is experienced.

We think also of the congregation of Gorinchem, which he had learned to love and which is now without a shepherd. May the King of the Church have mercy over this portion of His inheritance which is mourning in regard to the departure of their shepherd and minister. We gaze after him with grief, for we have lost much, but “his joy may now unbounded be, who sees God’s face eternally, his heart’s desire receiving.” Let us then mourn because of the separation, but let us not begrudge Christ the honor and our beloved brother the happiness. May the Lord be merciful unto us and our congregations.

CURRENT EVENTS

Legal Action Against Pro-Life Protestors

Community Impact News reported that in Ontario, Attorney-General Marion Boyd has applied to the courts for a blanket injunction banning all pro-life activity in front of the twenty-three abortion facilities in that province. She has also singled out eighteen pro-life people from across the province and launched a lawsuit against them. These actions are clearly politically motivated with the NDP government intending to put a stop to the pro-life movement and silence the protest of the killing of over 43,000 unborn children in 1993 alone in Ontario. The government in Ontario is using tax dollars to stop those who dare to speak out on the atrocious sins committed today. Let us beware of the implications for us and not shrink from protesting loudly and clearly the moral wrongs of society.

In the United States, the Supreme Court ruled on January 24 in a unanimous decision that the Racketeer Influence-Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) can be used against pro-life protesters and counsellors. RICO was originally designed to protect business from organized crime.

Public Officials Attending Prayer Breakfasts Under Attack

According to the National & International Religion Report, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is out to stop public officials from participating in prayer breakfasts: from local observances to the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. A judge in Denver denied a request by the Madison, Wisconsin, based group for a temporary restraining order to forbid state and local officials from taking part in a prayer luncheon sponsored by the Denver Leadership Foundation, part of a national prayer-breakfast movement headed by Doug Coe in Arlington, Virginia. Judge Larry Naves said religion’s role in American life is widely acknowledged, and noted that the National Prayer Breakfast has been sponsored by congressional groups for more than 40 years.

US West Reversed Decision to Ban Christian Symbols from Ads

The National & International Religion Report states that US West, following a barrage of protests, has reversed its decision to ban Christian symbols and references from nursing home ads in its 300 Yellow Pages directories in 14 states. The firm had instituted the ban reportedly under pressure from the fair housing division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Instead, nursing homes that use religious symbols to advertise in the Yellow Pages must insert a statement of non-discrimination, such as, “All faiths welcome without preference,” a US West spokeswoman said.

Printers May Turn Down Jobs

Printers may turn down jobs on the basis of their beliefs without being subject to state discrimination charges, a Franklin County, Vermont, court ruled. The case involved a St. Albans print shop, whose owners refused to print membership cards for a group of Catholics who support abortion rights. Judge Linda Levitt ruled last month that owners Malcolm and Susan Baker’s First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion outweighed the claim of Linda Paquette, leader of the pro-choice group, under the state’s anti-discrimination statute. The decision reversed a ruling in Paquette’s favor by the Vermont Human Rights commission. An appeal is expected.

Assylum Granted to Homosexual

For the first time, the Immigration and Naturalization Service has granted assylum to a homosexual seeking refuge from alleged persecution based on sexual orientation. The National & International Religion Report states that a Mexican using an alias, Jose Garcia, was awarded the status last month in California. In the past, INS rejected such arguments, and fought in court against two similar decisions by immigration judges in other cases. Garcia told reporters he had “suffered unspeakable degradations” at the hands of Mexican authorities “for the sole reason that lam gay.” INS officials said there has been no policy change but that such requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Senate Passes Goals 2000

Family Voice, publication of Concerned Women for America, reports that the Senate passed Goals 2000 by a vote of 7125. Currently, the conference committee is working out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Many phone calls and letters helped persuade the Senate to accept some profamily amendments. Senators Jesse Helms (R-North Carolina) and Trent Lott (R-Mississippi) sponsored an amendment to prohibit federal funds being used for any state education agency that, by policy or practice, “prevents participation in constitutionally protected prayer.” The amendment passed the Senate 75-22. The Senate also passed Senator Charles Grassley’s (R-Iowa) amendment, the “Parental Rights Restoration Amendment,” which requires parental consent for children to participate in any activity involving values, sexual behavior, and attitudes. The Grassley amendment passed, 93-0.

R.V.S.

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