1990 Denominational Review

The following editorial is a synopsis of the introductory review to our 1991 Yearbook: Church and School Directory, which will be available shortly and may now be ordered at $3.50 (US funds) from Netherlands Reformed Book and Publishing, 1020 N. Main Ave., Sioux Center, Iowa 51250.

Another year is past with all its sins and graces, hopes and fears. The Lord has mercifully spared our congregations and enabled us to continue to walk at least outwardly in the paths of our Reformation and post-Reformation forebears. But the question remains: How much have we experienced inwardly of the doctrines of free grace in the season that lies behind us?

As nations, a dark future appears to lie before us. Our countries are warring a common enemy. Our soldiers are dying. Some are as young as eighteen years of age. This multiplies our thoughts. As I write, it is also eighteen years ago that the United States Supreme Court decided to legalize the murder of so-called unwanted children. Could it be that the holy God who is not to be mocked is now taking away “wanted” sons and daughters because the blood of countless millions of “unwanted” sons and daughters is crying to Him for vengeance?

The war in the Middle East should serve as a national call for repentance. North America is ripe for the hand of God’s judgment. Sadly, we hear and read more about our capabilities than about our need for humiliation. Many trust in our weaponry. Others oppose fighting for oil. Dear friends, this war is not only about oil. It is God’s testimony that He has a controversy against us. It is God’s handwriting on the wall, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN”: Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting (Dan. 5:25, 27).

The suffering that will inevitably result from a ground war in the Middle East is mind-boggling. Saddam Hussein is trying to persuade his Islamic soldiers that this war is a jihad, often translated as “holy war.” Jihad refers to the “utmost effort” Muslims are required to give to promote and defend Islam. Those who are killed in a jihad are assured of a higher place in glory as a reward from Allah, the fatalistic god of Islam who is free to damn or save his followers at any given moment.

Several billboards dotting the landscape around Grand Rapids read: PRAY FOR PEACE. Indeed, we must. Simultaneously, however, we must pray for the abolition of the wholesale murder of unborn children. Did you know that more than twenty-five million unborn children have been killed legally since the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision of 1973 in United States alone? That figure represents one out of ten Americans alive today; it out-numbers the current population of Canada.

We must pray for genuine peace. Genuine peace necessitates the destruction of our modern gods of humanistic materialism, selfish prestige, and ungodly entertainment. Genuine peace demands respect for God’s Word, Name, and Sabbath; for biblical morality and divinely ordained authority. Genuine peace must war against the permissiveness and liberalism of our age.

The church is no innocent bystander. Judgment begins at the house of God. The church is intimately involved in national sins. If only there were more among us who would feel our collective guilt! When the God-fearing King Edward VI died as a teenager in England, Bishop Hooper lamented, “It is my sin, my guilt that the King has died, for I have not prayed for him as I have been called to do.”

We have lacked in prayer, in example-setting, in acting against sin. Like our nations, we have hardened ourselves gradually to iniquity.

There is no hope or expectation from our side. “Our only hope is on Jehovah stayed.” Three things give us hope. First, despite the unjust cause for which Hussein is fighting, he has declared that Allah would grant him victory. Like Pharoah, he is challenging the name of that God who has founded both Israel and our countries. We have hope that the Lord will not allow His Name to be tarnished by unbelievers.

Secondly, for many years the Lord has withheld His judgments from us as nations. We have often feared that He was leaving us over to our self-destructive lifestyle. As Rev. Lamain used to say so often, “The greatest punishment God can place upon us is to leave us over to ourselves.” In Deuteronomy, God told Israel that there was hope for her so long as He would bring either blessings or judgments. Our hope is that this war may serve as God’s medicinal, rather than punitive, judgment upon us, so that many in our sin-ladened nations may yet bow before the King of kings.

Thirdly, sprinkled throughout our nations are children of God who have been taught to pray. One praying child of God is worth more than scores of soldiers. The Lord would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah had there been ten righteous among them. Oh, what a calling, child of God, rests upon us to seek grace to pray in our prayers (James 5:17)! May God grant us to wrestle for ourselves, our families, our denomination, and our nations with Habakkuk, “O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (3:2).

May God grant us also as a denomination grace to heed His loving admonition of Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” In Christ Jesus, may He prove to be for us, “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). May our expectation be only in a triune God. He is worthy; we are unworthy.

OFFICE-BEARERS

Deaths

On January 31 William Suyker passed away at the age of 65. He had served our congregations for sixteen years, pastoring at Krabbendijke (1962-1965), Lisse (1965-1972), Unionville (1972-1975), and Rock Valley (1975-1978). Former elders and deacons who passed away in 1990 include: Sydney Frens (former elder and deacon at Waupun, Wisconsin), Peter De Graff (former office-bearer at Waupun, Wisconsin), and Henry Langerak (former elder and deacon at Grand Rapids, Michigan). May the Lord graciously strengthen the bereaved families with Himself as the true consolation of Israel (Lk. 2:25).

Ministers

On March 20 Rev. Peter L. Bazen was ordained into the ministry (cf. “missions” section below for details). May the Lord grant our brother to be used for the eternal welfare of many souls, both in foreign fields and in established congregations. Our oldest emeritus minister, Rev. L. Kieboom, became eighty years old on March 5. Our other emeritus minister, Rev. M. Heerschap, was enabled to preach fifteen times in 1990. Presently, he is undergoing radiation treatments in Calgary. May the Lord graciously sustain these brothers in old age and provide their wives continued strength to support them. Rev. J. Spaans commemorated his sixtieth birthday and also underwent surgery. Reverends C. Vogelaar and J. R. Beeke were 12 1/2 years in the ministry.

Elders

Elders L. Nieuwenhuyzen and J. Beeke commemorated thirty-five years of service in office; Elder J. den Bok, twenty-five years.

Ministers in the Netherlands (Gereformeerde Gemeenten)

Rev. A. Hofman passed away on November 11, the day before his seventy-eighth birthday. The following ministers were installed in new pastorates in 1990: Rev. L. Huisman at Terneuzen; Rev. J. J. Tanis at Lisse; Rev. D. Hakkenberg at Gorinchem; Rev. C. Sonnevelt at Krimpen a/d IJssel; Rev. A. F. Honkoop at Wageningen; Rev. J. Karels at Oudemirdum; Rev. T. van Stuyvenberg at Middelburg-Centrum.

CONGREGATIONS

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

The Sheboygan, Wisconsin congregation was privileged to dedicate their new church building to the Lord’s service on January 20 in a special service conducted by their moderator, Rev. H. Hofman. His text was Psalm 87:2, “The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” May God’s Name be glorified, sinners saved, and His children edified in this house of prayer.

Rock Valley, Iowa

The Rock Valley congregation dedicated a 300-seat addition to their church sanctuary. Their pastor, Rev. J. den Hoed, spoke from Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.” Rev. H. Hofman and Rev. A. M. den Boer also gave an address. May the Lord add His blessing.

Chilliwack, British Columbia

The Chilliwack NRC hopes to dedicate their new building on February 12, 1991. Rev. A. M. den Boer and Rev. G. Kuiyt will lead the service.

South Holland, Illinois

On January 25, 1990, the moderator of South Holland conducted a service in commemoration of this flock’s 125 years of existence. The message was based on Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” On behalf of Classis East, Rev. J. Spaans also spoke. May the Lord remember our oldest congregation in His mercy, and raise up a seed to serve and fear Him from their midst.

MISSION/EVANGELISM

Foreign Missions

Rev. Peter L. Bazen undertook his final Curatorium exam on February 14 and his classical exam on March 7. On March 20 he was ordained as the first missionary-minister of our North American denomination. As president of the North American NRC Mission Board, Rev. J. Spaans conducted the service from Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you afway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” His major theme focused on the word of Christ as a word of authority, of commission, and of promise.

The following evening, Rev. Bazen preached his inaugural sermon from Ephesians 3:8, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” He spoke on “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ to the Gentiles”: (1) who is commanded to bring these riches; (2) to whom these riches must be brought; and (3) what these riches are. Afterwards, Rev. C. Vogelaar, Rev. J. den Hoed, Student J. Greendyk, Elder J. Bazen, and Dr. J. R. Beeke addressed Rev. and Mrs. Bazen and their family.

In a separate service in Chilliwack on April 9, Miss Connie Stam was officially sent out as a missionary nurse. Rev. A. W. Verhoef led the service; personal words were added by Elder P. De Bruin and Elder J. W. Beeke. Later in April, Rev. and Mrs. Bazen and Miss Stam left for Costa Rica to begin studying the Spanish language. Several months later, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Nijsse and their family were sent out from Rock Valley to join the rest of the mission team in Costa Rica for language study. Rev. J. den Hoed conducted the service from Judges 6:14; personal words were added by Rev. H. Hofman. Simultaneously, Mariene Van Veldhuizen was formally sent out from Rock Valley to be a missionary nurse in Nigeria.

In April of 1991 the formal language study of the mission team will be completed, the Lord willing, and an attempt will be made to commence mission work in Bolivia. May God grant much prayer for them in all their needs and for the prospering of His cause in the prospective mission field. May they experience as a mission team, together with the Mission Board, that the Lord Himself is their Breaker to go before them (Micah 2:13).

Rev. J. Spaans and Elder J. Van Brugge (administrator of the Mission Board) visited Bolivia for further information and preparatory work relative to the establishing of our own mission field there. Their visit was quite encouraging.

Rev. G. Kuiyt made two additional trips to our North American congregations and has settled in the area of Chilliwack, British Columbia. As emeritus minister, he will serve the churches as enabled. May the Lord supply all the needs of the Kuiyt family and grant them to be a rich blessing among us.

The Mike Meeuwse family returned from the mission field primarily for the sake of their children and now attend our Grand Rapids (Crescent St.) congregation. Jeanette Vanden Berg also returned home from the mission field and is pursuing additional medical studies. The Bill Moerdyk family was spared to fulfil significant mission labor in Nigeria. Len VanWingerden received a long-awaited visa to return to Indonesia. Ann Zekveld is awaiting a visa to assist in the Mbuma mission. Rev. H. Hofman visited the mission post in Australia and the congregation in New Zealand.

May God continue to sustain all those from our local congregations who labor on foreign mission fields in some capacity and bless all their efforts. Let us pray that He will thrust forth more missionaries and mission workers into the harvest. The need is great (Jn. 4:35; Mt. 9:37-38).

Home Missions

The work in Baldwin, Michigan suffered the loss of its chairman, Elder Henry Langerak. In addition to the pastor from Grand Rapids, Elders G. Kwekel, J. Bazen, J. Van Dyke, and H. Kamp now take turns speaking an edifying word on alternate Fridays. Elder Bazen was appointed chairman. Numerous individuals continue to assist in teaching Bible on Saturdays and managing the mission store, as well as with details such as providing transportation, etc. The services in Bradenton, Florida continued as usual. Evangelist Bartel Elshout continued teaching at our Franklin Lakes school and translating the work of Wilhelmus à Brakel, Redelijke Godsdienst. May the Lord guide him and his family in due season to a future field of labor.

A number of congregations continued to engage in local evangelism. May God add His blessing to all heartfelt efforts to reach out to our poor, perishing neighbor in both “Word and deed.” May He continue to bless our mission periodical to arouse a greater mission-minded spirit among us (Mt. 11:12).

EDUCATION

Theological School and Curatorium

The Curatorium received liberty to accept Arnoud Vergunst into the theological school in preparation for the ministry.

Student Peter L. Bazen passed his final exam; Student James Greendyk was promoted to his fourth year of study. Reverends C. Vogelaar and J. R. Beeke were asked to continue teaching the students and a plan of study for the 1990-1991 school year was unanimously agreed upon. May there be much prayer for these brothers and their families as they study and labor in the service of God.

In the Netherlands, G. Clements, M. Karens, W. Silthout, and A. Vermeij were accepted for studies in the theological school. Students C. de Jongste, W. Visscher, and J. B. Zippro were given permission to speak an edifying word in the congregations.

Higher Education

The problem of a severe shortage of NRC teachers became worse. Seventeen positions were filled with non-N RC teachers. The NRCEA took steps to encourage more of our young people to seriously consider a teaching career in dependence upon the Lord. Most of our schools and/or consistories began to offer financial assistance to those desiring to pursue teaching. Our College Investigatory Committee was requested by Synod to evaluate “the possibility of establishing a limited educational institution to assist in providing future qualified teachers for the NRC.”

Secondary and Elementary Schooling

Our school movement continued to grow in 1990. The Grand Rapids elementary school dedicated an addition. Principals David Engelsma and Richard Ten Elshof became editor and assistant editor of the NRCEA School Journal. Efforts are presently being made to increase this journal’s applicability to parents and interested parties, so as to facilitate more subscriptions among our lay membership. Subscriptions are $5 per year and should be sent to NRCEA Journal, Business Manager, 1000 Ball N. E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505. The Synodical Education Committee continued to provide assistance for denominational textbooks and educational conferences.

May the Lord remember in tender mercy our principals, teachers, students, parents, school boards, committee members, bus drivers, volunteers, and all who support our schools in an effort to rear the rising generation in the paths of truth (Ps. 25).

PUBLICATIONS

Books

Nearly 20,000 denominational titles were sold once again in 1990. Several volumes were reprinted. Books made available for the first time include the following: More than Conquerors: An Exposition of Hebrews 11 (Rev. G. H. Kersten); Building on the Rock: Religious Stories for Children, Book 2 (J. R. Beeke, J. W. Beeke, D. Kleyn); Our Hope for Years to Come (Elder G. Moerdyk); Bible Doctrine for Teens and Young Adults, Volume 3 (J. W. Beeke); and 1990 Yearbook: Church and School Directory.

Periodicals

Our four periodicals, The Banner of Truth (official monthly), Insight Into (for young people), Paul (for mission), and NRCEA School Journal, continued to meet the needs of their respective audiences. Rev. C. Vogelaar was added as assistant editor of The Banner of Truth.

Sermons and Mission Materials

To assist the Macedonia Mission Society with funding, Synod decided to place the missionary efforts of this committee under the jurisdiction of the North American Mission Board and the printing of “blue book sermons” under the direction of the NR Book and Publishing Committee. Accordingly, Synod requested the congregations to take an extra annual collection for both the Mission Board and the Book Committee so that the work of the Macedonia Mission Society may continue unabated.

The Inheritance Publishers and the Banner of Truth Tract Mission continued to distribute tens of thousands of sermons and tracts throughout numerous countries. “The Tape Room” continued to sell or loan approximately one thousand tapes per month throughout and beyond our congregations. Bible Truth Books continued to distribute sermon tapes as well as approved books. May God crown all these efforts with His indispensable blessing.

ADDITIONAL COMMITTEE WORK

Correspondence with the governments of the United States and Canada has again transpired. The National-lnternational Disaster Fund Committee sent out tens of thousands of dollars for the needy throughout the world. The committees for the US and Canadian Savings Funds continued to assist our churches and school with low interest rate loans. The Emeritus Fund assisted the emeritus ministers and their widows. Correspondence with Foreign Churches was duly undertaken. The Legal Committee began publishing a quarterly to assist the churches in areas of potential legal danger. May the Lord bless all these efforts.

CONCLUSION

May the Lord preserve us in the doctrines of free and sovereign grace. May His people grow in self-depreciation and in Christ-appreciation. May He strengthen those mourning the loss of loved ones, and sanctify all their crosses to eternal gain. The times are dark, but He is Almighty. He has but to speak and it is; to command, and it stands firm. May 1991 be God’s ripe time to translate many sinners from the dominion of sin to the power of divine grace. “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lam. 3:22).

Dear friends, may the Lord go before us with His grace. May we proceed through this year remembering, in the words of Thomas Brooks, that “the great weight of eternity hangs upon the small wire of time.” Let us not forget that we cannot “kill time” without injuring eternity. “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near” (Is. 55:6).

Anything that one imagines of God apart from Christ is only useless thinking and vain idolatry.
—Martin Luther

Dr. J.R. Beeke is pastor of the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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