Rev. Brian Najapfour was installed as the pastor for Dutton United Reformed Church in Caledonia, MI, on October 19, 2012. Rev. Brian Vos of Trinity URC in Caledonia, MI, preached from 1 Timothy 2:1-7 on a faithful ministry. Rev. Jeph Nobel of Eastmanville URC in Coopersville, MI, read the installation form. Dr. Joel R. Beeke of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI, asked the installation questions and gave a personal charge to the new pastor from 2 Timothy 4:1-2. Rev. Mike Schout, Grace URC in Alto, MI, gave the charge to the congregation.

In Rev. Najapfour’s closing remarks, he confessed his affinity with Paul as “chief of sinners,” but his thankfulness that God had called him to minister to this congregation. He spoke of the way the Lord has bound his heart to the people and thanked them for their warm welcome of him and his family. He stated his main goal as 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” He added, “I have only one message to preach and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Napafour began his theological education at the age of 16, when he enrolled in the Center for Biblical Studies Institute and Seminary in the Philippines, receiving his Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) degree in 2001, and his Master in Biblical Studies (M.B.S) degree in 2004. He served as a pastor in the Philippines from 2001 to 2006, prior to coming to the United States to attend Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI. He obtained his Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree from the Seminary in 2009. He currently is working toward his Ph.D.

In 2009 he met Sarah J. Elshout and the two were married in 2011. They are the parents of a daughter named Anna.

Music has had a huge impact on Rev. Najapfour’s life and has been woven into his spiritual journey. His love for music has led him to compose many songs. He is also the author of The Very Heart of Prayer: Reclaiming John Bunyan’s Spirituality and co-editor with Dr. Joel R. Beeke of Taking Hold of God: Reformed and Puritan Perspectives on Prayer.

The above article by Glenda Mathes appeared on page 12 of the April 10, 2013, issue of Christian Renewal.