NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, & EVENTS

CHURCH NEWS

MINISTERIAL CALLS

Extended:

To Rev. C. Vogelaar of Grand Rapids (Beckwith), Michigan, by the congregation of Aalst, the Netherlands.

To Rev. H. D. den Hollander of Clifton, New Jersey, by the congregation of Hamilton, Ontario.

Declined:

By Rev. C. Vogelaar of Grand Rapids (Beckwith), Michigan, to the congregation of Aalst, the Netherlands.

By Rev. H. D. den Hollander of Clifton, New Jersey, to the congregation of Hamilton, Ontario.

OBITUARIES

VAN LEEUWEN, Matthys – Age 66, June 24, 2001; Tillsonburg, Ontario; Wife – Adriaantje; Children – Susan & Mark Luciani, Tyson Van Leeuwen, Tina Van Leeuwen, Henrietta Van Leeuwen, Evelyn Van Leeuwen, and Gary Van Leeuwen; 3 grandchildren. (Rev. J. Spaans, Romans 6:23.)

BROUWER, Jannigje – Age 89, June 22, 2001; Alliston, Ontario; Husband – Arie; Children – John & Monica Brouwer, Gerry & Jane Brouwer, Eric & Nancy Brouwer, Bas & Edna Brouwer, Sue & Albert Nyenhuis, and Sam Brouwer; 16 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren. (Rev. A. H. Verhoef, Psalm 45:11.)

RZEBRSZICZEK, Alfred Richard Hans – Age 91, June 27, 2001; Lethbridge, Alberta; Wife – Geertje; Children – Elfriede Rzebrsziczek, and Wilma & Peter Vanderburgh; 3 grandchildren. (Rev. G. M. de Leeuw, Revelation 21:27.)

DUNSBERGEN, Denis Christiaan – Age 12 weeks, June 17, 2001; Picture Butte, Alberta; Parents – Bert & Karen Dunsbergen; Brother – Henk; Sisters – Marie, Angelina, Kareen, and Stephanie; Grandparents – Henk & Annie Dunsbergen and Christiaan (deceased) & Krijntje (deceased) de Leeuw. (Rev. P. L. Bazen, Psalm 39:5a.)

DE BAT, Marinus – Age 73, July 26, 2001; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Wife – Cora; Children – Michael & Shirley DeBat, Donald DeBat, Carolyn & Ben Bloomfield, Jane DeBat, Richard DeBat, Marianne & David Buckenberger, Kathleen & Mare Sleeman, Joan & Brian Blackmer, and Steven DeBat; Brothers – Hubert and John; Sisters- Anna Sinke, Johanna Overbeeke, Stiena Brouwer, Louise Sinke, and Margaret Bolle; 13 grandchildren. (Rev. C. Vogelaar, Psalm 31:4.)

TEACHER NEEDS

EBENEZER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN, will be in need of a fulltime certified primary teacher for the 2001-02 school year. This will be a small class. Applicants may contact Mr. Daryl Ver Duin, (920) 452-5464 (school) or (920) 893-9822 (home), or Mr. Carl Moore, (920) 467-9653.

PONATAHI CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, CARTERTON, NEW ZEALAND, requires a teacher for the elementary grades (grade 4-5). Please contact the principal, Mr. Peter Bertram, Howard Street, Carterton, New Zealand, e-mail <peter.bertram@watchdog.net.nz>.

REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, NORWICH, ONTARIO. We are looking for an administrator/principal for our school. Please contact Mr. Len Vanderweerd, board chairman, (519) 468-3281, or Mr. Martien Vanderspek, principal, (519) 863-2403 (school) or (519) 863-3119 (home). Send applications to the attention of the secretary of the board, Mr. Corney Van Wyk, Rehoboth Christian School, 43 Main Street East, P.O. Box 220, Norwich, Ontario N0J 1P0.

Report of Classis East Youth Conference

On July 7, 2001, the Classis East Youth Conference was held at the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Approximately 175 youth and single adults gathered with us from near and far. The theme of the conference was “Cleaving to the Truth.”

Rev. J. den Hoed presented a topic in the morning entitled “Cleaving to the Truth in the Plain of Dura.” He spoke about the grace given to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to withstand the great pressures and temptations which came to them by way of the command of Nebuchadnezzar to bow before his idol. In a very fitting manner, he applied this to the lives of our young people today.

After lunch, Rev. H. den Hollander presented a topic entitled “Cleaving to the Truth in the Text of Scripture.” He reviewed the history of the King James Version of the Scriptures and explained the reasons why we use this version rather than any of the many others available to us today. The young people were urged to “cleave” to this version of the Scriptures because it is the closest to the divinely inspired originals. Many interesting questions were asked.

After the topics, the youth gathered at the Netherlands Reformed Christian School to engage in some physical activities, while the single adults went for a short hike. Supper was then served, and in the evening we sang a few psalters in closing. Sunday evening we gathered again in the Franklin Lakes church after the services for psalter singing and answering of further questions.

Truly, we may say that it was good to be together on this day with our young people. We may acknowledge the Lord's goodness in sparing everyone in their many travels. We thank everyone who labored in connection with the conference and also the young people for their attendance and good cooperation. Your interest in the topics and other important matters gladdened our hearts, and we hope that the conference was profitable for you.

In Memoriam

Marinus DeBat

On July 26, 2001, it pleased the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly to remove from the midst of family and congregation Elder Marinus DeBat at the age of 73 years. By the grace of God he was enabled to serve the congregation as an office-bearer for 16-1/2 years, four years as deacon and the remaining time as elder. Rev. C. Vogelaar conducted the funeral service, using the text from Psalm 31:4, “My times are in Thy hand.” There is an empty place in the congregation and in the hearts of his wife and children. May the Lord sustain under this loss, granting His comfort to the widow and family in their bereavement, but also sanctify this calling in the midst of the congregation which he so faithfully served.

Consistory of Kalamazoo

Report from Lorna Alta, Bolivia

Sunday, June 17, 2001, was a special day for the mission in Bolivia. After several years of instruction, mainly under the guidance of Rev. P.L. Bazen, a group of faithful attendees who had desired to become members of the church in Lorna Alta were admitted in a special service held in the morning. The text for this occasion was Hebrews 10:23-25. It was a solemn moment when seven people stood and gave their “Yes” to the four questions that were asked. It certainly is a milestone for the Mission Board, the team, and the entire denomination to have confessing members in the mission-church in Lorna Alta.

In January of this year, I started a review class with those who had previously attended a confession of faith class with Rev. Bazen. Seven persons eventually desired to step forward and make public confession of faith. The Friday evening before the Sunday, deputies of the Mission Board, Rev. J. den Hoed, Rev. P. van Ruitenburg, and elder T. Verhey, met with the team and the candidates. It was an enjoyable evening in which the ways of the Lord were spoken about. First, the deputies introduced themselves and spoke a few words about what the Lord had done in their lives. Afterward, the candidates were asked to introduce themselves and say a few words, including their motives for making confession of faith.

Since some children of the new members had not been baptized, and the way to baptize them was now open, a baptism service was scheduled for the evening service. It was the first time that three children of Lorna Alta were baptized as members of our congregations. As text for this occasion, I chose Mark 10:13-16. The ages of these children were 3, 7, and 11.

The question has sometimes been asked, “Why has it taken so long to have members in Lorna Alta?” The answer may be simple, but the matter is not. It has been clear to me from the beginning that making confession of faith has not been taken lightly in Lorna Alta. To come to this point certainly has not been easy for some. At times, I could clearly sense their struggles and also the power of Satan in trying to ruin everything. One man in particular opened up to me about his struggles, and it was moving to hear him tell how the Lord in the end inclined his heart. Let us not forget that the matter of public confession of faith here almost always involves a visible (outward) change.

For us, confession of faith is usually the taking over of the baptismal vow of our parents. For the people here in Lorna Alta, however, even if they were baptized in the Roman Catholic church, the matter is somewhat different. The vow before God directly affects life and doctrine. Making confession of faith for the people here is evidence of an outward change. In other words, there is nothing automatic in making confession of faith here on the mission field. It involves a real breaking with the past and, with the help of the Lord, a visible choice for the future. I may say that I believe the new members are aware of this responsibility. But let us as mother-church not forget to remember these friends in private and public prayer, as no doubt their confession will be tried and shaken. They will need the grace of God to remain steadfast and firm in what they have professed.

As a second reason for the delay in admitting members, we could mention the change of pastors in Lorna Alta. When it became known that Rev. Bazen was leaving the field, and since I would be working in the future with these people, the Mission Board decided to wait in proceeding forward until the new pastor would be able to spend some time with them as well.

For those of you who are wondering to which church these new members officially belong, it may be helpful to mention that the Mission Board has come to an agreement with the consistory of the Kalamazoo congregation that they be members of their congregation. Kalamazoo is the church which sent me out to Bolivia two years ago. For practical purposes, Kalamazoo in turn has delegated the ecclesiastical authority over these members back to the Mission Board. In due time, if we may come to the institution of our own church in Lorna Alta, the membership papers will then be transferred back to Loma Alta.

We may look back on a solemn day in the history of the mission in Bolivia. It is the prayer of the team that the Highest Himself shall establish the small beginning of an official church in Loma Alta. “The LORD looketh on the heart.” We look at the outward appearance, and we hope that this beginning may be the little cloud, like a man's hand, which arises out of the sea. Then at God's time, there will also be the rain, as promised by the Lord in Psalm 87:5-7, “And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the Highest Himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count, when He writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.”

— Rev. H. Hofman, Jr.

CURRENT EVENTS

Vietnamese Government Recognizes Protestant Church

For the first time in its 26-year history, the communist government of Vietnam has officially recognized a Protestant organization. Le Quang Vinh, head of Vietnam's Bureau of Religious Affairs, officially recognized the constitution and leadership of the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (ECVN). Mark Albrecht of World Evangelical Fellowship says this decision will allow the ECVN to elect its own leaders, conduct business, and function daily without government control. The recognition affects an estimated 200,000 of Vietnam's one million evangelicals.

Christians Persecuted in Bhutan

Baptists in the small nation of Bhutan, located in the eastern Himalayas, report that Christians are facing some of the strongest opposition and persecution they have ever seen. In April, Christians traveling to church services were stopped by police, who then recorded their names, reports Bonny Resu, regional director of Asia for the Baptist World Alliance. Police have also rounded up pastors for interrogation, interfered in evangelism efforts, and closed down Christian churches. The Christian church in Bhutan numbers just a few thousand.

House Hikes Arts Agency Funding

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to give an additional $10 million to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

Yearbook 2001 of the Gereformeerde Gemeenten

The Yearbook 2001 of the Gereformeerde Gemeenten, our sister denomination in the Netherlands, is now available. It contains 512 pages of extensive information regarding their denomination and its activities. The price is $10 (U.S.), and can be ordered from Mr. Evan Kersten, 1389 Lamont Avenue N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504-2414, phone (616) 453-0122.

The NEA is a federal entity that has gotten into trouble in recent years for funneling taxpayer dollars to fund blasphemous and obscene art. The legislation was attached as an amendment to H.R. 2217, an annual funding bill for the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies. As one example of the NEA's misguided funding programs, they have again pledged $25,000 to the Manhattan Theatre Club. This is the organization that three years ago used NEA money to produce a blasphemous play that depicted Jesus as a homosexual.

Public School Students Hear Buddhist Dalai Lama

School officials in Oregon and Washington arranged for thousands of public school students to hear a speech delivered by the Dalai Lama, a revered Buddhist religious figure. Conservative state lawmakers charged that there appeared to be a double Standard when it came to how the school system dealt with religion. In a letter to school superintendents, seven Washington State legislators noted that for years schools have been using the separation-of-church-and-state argument to prohibit students from reading Bibles at schools, praying at graduation ceremonies, or even holding Bible studies. So why, they asked, were school districts in the area willing to allow 9,000 students to have a day off from school and, in some cases, use school buses to transport them to hear a Buddhist monk?

News Updates

The District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights has apparently not heard about last year's Supreme Court decision allowing the Boy Scouts to set their own membership policies. The panel recently ruled that expulsion of two adult gay scouts in 1992 violated the city's antidiscrimination laws and ordered the former scouts reinstated. An appeal is being filed.

Though President Bush refused to formally recognize June as Gay Pride Month, most cabinet-level departments went ahead with some sort of pro-gay observance anyway. For example, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta spoke at his department's “Embrace Diversity” program, and Interior Secretary Gale Norton hosted a one-day celebration.

Florida Circuit Judge Nikki Ann Clark declined to issue a temporary restraining order that would have blocked production of the state's “Choose Life” license plates while she considers their constitutionality, the St. Petersburg Times reports.

— R. V. S.

Anniversary and other announcements will be placed upon request. A donation for their placement would be appreciated. For consistency, size is limited. Please send your request to the assistant editor, Garret J. Moerdyk, whose address is shown inside the front cover. Requests for placement should be made by the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication. For example, if you wish to place your announcement in the July issue, it must be received by us prior to June 15. Please note this deadline for receiving announcements. Occasionally we have to disappoint a family because of the late arrival of their announcement. In order to give our readers advance notice of these special days, it is advisable to place the notice a month early.

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