When Classis Pacific Northwest of the URCNA met on April 24, 2012, the main matter of business was the ordination exam of Mr. Jared Beaird. Mr. Beaird, who has been called by the Belgrade URC to plant a church in Missoula, MT, successfully sustained his exam. He describes the experience as “a relief as well as a blessing.”

“It’s been a long journey that has taken me far from my early theological roots in broad evangelicalism that has culminated with an external call by Belgrade URC,” he relates. “With approval from Christ’s church that I’m competent and able, I look forward to serving Missoula as a minister of the Word and sacraments. I would encourage readers to constantly pray for Missoula, it truly is a mission field; though not foreign, it has many of the same hostile and trying pitfalls.”

The Missoula church plant, now known as Covenant Reformed Church, meets at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2512 Sunset Lane, at 10:30 am each Sunday. A time of hospitality follows the service with an 11:45 am potluck, which is followed by catechism instruction. The current class is undergoing a study toward church membersip. More information about Covenant Reformed Church in Missoula can be found at the group’s website or Facebook page.

Classis Pacific Northwest also enjoyed a presentation by Mr. Mark Bube, General Secretary of the OPC’s Committee on Foreign Missions, who reported on the denomination’s current mission endeavors.

Delegates additionally spent some time answering consistorial requests for advice on discipline matters.

Rev. Chris Gordon (URC of Lynden, WA) chaired the meeting. Rev. Nick Smith (URC of Nampa, ID) was Vice-Chairman. Rev. Kevin Efflandt (Zion URC of Ripon, CA) serves as Clerk of Classis.

Classis Pacific Northwest is scheduled to meet next on October 23-24, 2012, in Lynden, WA.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 12-13 of the May 23, 2012, issue of Christian Renewal.