Since the inception of Reformed Mission Services (RMS) two years ago, Rob Brinks has served as its interim director. But that is no longer the case. At its February 9, 2013, meeting, the RMS Board of Directors officially appointed as him as Director.

“I am humbled and thankful for the goodness that God has shown me with this decision,” says Mr. Brinks. “I am blessed to have a board that stands beside me, supports me, and has confidence in the work that I am doing.”

Board Chairman Doug Hoogerhyde explains the reasons behind the Board’s decision. “Rob’s two-year tenure as ‘interim director’ was ending. The Board of Directors noted that the ministry of RMS has been extremely blessed by Rob’s dedication and enthusiasm. By God’s grace and through Rob’s efforts, the ministry of RMS has grown. Therefore it was agreed that Rob become our permanent Director.”

Although the position remains part-time, the Board hopes it will become full-time within the next year. “I believe it becomes clear to everyone now that RMS is a viable ministry, and that Rob has proven himself as a capable (even gifted) ministry leader,” Hoogerhyde adds. “Long term for RMS, we are moving forward to expand the ministry and mission under Rob’s leadership.”

According to Board Vice Chairman Joel Weaver, the primary project currently underway is the summer 2013 Teens Actively Serving Christ (TASC) program. Events are being planned at the Orthodox Reformed Church of New Westminster, BC (the first Canadian TASC), Trinity URC in Visalia, CA, Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church in Pompton Plains, NJ, as well as two other possible sites in California and Michigan.

Another plan is for a new VBS venture. “We are also beginning a new program in which a member church prepares a Vacation Bible School and brings it to a small church or church plant,” relates Weaver. “Our inaugural site will be Covenant Reformed Church of Carbondale, PA, and it will be presented by Bethel URC of Jenison, MI.”

He explains, “The concept is to have volunteers from an RMS member church develop a VBS program, which includes all the lesson materials, skits, crafts, etc. They will then travel to the host church and, after some canvassing with members of the host church, carry out the program on behalf of the congregation for members of the community around the host church.” He notes that some members of the host church will be involved to ensure that even after volunteers leave, faces of church members will remain familiar to people in the community.

Other RMS projects included the third trip to Peru in November, where volunteers helped rebuild a church after a flash flood caused structural damage that resulted in the building being condemned.

After Hurricane Sandy, Rob traveled to New York and New Jersey to deliver donated goods and assess how RMS member churches might help. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, an RMS group worked with the OPC to provide disaster relief in New Jersey.

“We are planning to return with a group from West Michigan the first week of April,” says Brinks. “The members within the URC churches along the coast were spared major damage from the storm, and for that we praise God. However, our brothers and sisters in other denominations were not so fortunate, so as an organization we believe it necessary to connect willing workers from within our member churches to those who need assistance.”

RMS plans to continue work with an orphanage in Baja California, Mexico, by sending teams to construct a building containing a meeting hall and living quarters. Groups from a variety of churches in the United States and Canada are participating in this project.

Churches interested in becoming RMS members or individuals seeking service opportunities can find more information at the website or find RMS on Facebook. Director Rob Brinks may be reached by emailing “rob” at rms.org.

The Board of Directors for RMS consists of 11 members and one chairman, who is a current elder of the overseeing consistory, Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church.

As the newly appointed Director, Rob looks forward to new avenues of service.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on pages 13 & 14 of the March 20, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal. The Board and elders of Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church recently announced that the Director position will be increased from part-time to full-time effective July 1, 2013.