Republican senator Ben Sasse, from Nebraska, spoke at the May 28, 2016, commencement service of Westminster Seminary California. His topic was “Never Again Will Jerusalem Grieve.” Mark MacVey, Vice-President for Enrollment Management, said about the speech, “Senator Sasse reflected on his experience in the U.S. Senate and provided observations regarding the unique cultural challenges … Continue reading The Senator and the Seminary
Pella’s heritage: Broken teacups and blooming tulips
During the first week of May, 300,000 tulips in beds lining streets and filling parks of Pella, IA, usually bloom. Whatever the condition of blossoms, local people celebrate their Dutch heritage with an extravaganza of colorful parades, folk dancing, interesting exhibits, and delicious food. Copious amounts of food. Visitors can feed their inner child … Continue reading Pella’s heritage: Broken teacups and blooming tulips
God’s faithfulness in the fire
A massive fire destroyed much of the Faith United Reformed Church building in West Olive, MI, on May 13. No one was inside at the time, and Pastor Matthew Nuiver was one of the first to notice smoke as he drove up that morning. “Initially I thought maybe it was a brush fire,” he … Continue reading God’s faithfulness in the fire
Reaching out in Jersey City
What do you know about Jersey City? It’s the second most heavily-populated city in New Jersey with an ethnic diversity befitting it as the home of Ellis Island. It’s also the location of a young URCNA church plant, Grace Reformed Church. When the work began meeting for worship on September 1, 2013, a core … Continue reading Reaching out in Jersey City
Faith community rallies around a church after fire damages building
“Ridiculously surreal.” That’s how Senior Pastor Stu Kerns described the phone call informing him of a fire at Zion Church (PCA) in Lincoln, NE. This was the second time he’d received such a call. The previous building at a different location had been completely destroyed by fire in 2007. “I felt like this is … Continue reading Faith community rallies around a church after fire damages building
Aloha to Grace Church of Kauai
Many URCNA members grieved to hear about the closing of the Grace Church of Kauai, in Hawaii, on Easter Sunday in 2016. The consistory of Grace United Reformed Church in Torrance, CA, had supervised the church plant for more than eight years. Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen explains that his family moved to Kauai and he … Continue reading Aloha to Grace Church of Kauai
Seminary’s alumni conference focuses on conflict
You or your pastor may be all too familiar with conflict within the church. According to Rev. Jeff De Boer, Director of Enrollment Management at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, it is the primary reason for pastors leaving the ministry. “Preparing for and reflecting on conflict is very important for the continued well-being of the church,” … Continue reading Seminary’s alumni conference focuses on conflict
Independent Reformed church seeks URCNA affiliation
After more than forty years as an independent congregation, Immanuel Fellowship Church in Kalamazoo, MI, hopes to affiliate with the United Reformed Churches in North America. At a meeting on March 2, 2016, Immanuel’s congregation voted unanimously in favor of affiliation. The consistory of Covenant URC in Kalamazoo brought an Article 32 recommendation regarding … Continue reading Independent Reformed church seeks URCNA affiliation
Four years of church planting in Michigan
On February 5, 2016, an OPC mission effort in Fremont, MI, became a particularized church and took the name Bethel Reformed OPC. The church installed Rev. Vern Picknally, who has served the work for over four years, and two elders: Mr. Brian Guikema and Dr. Ted Vander Kooi. (The latter is the brother of Rev. … Continue reading Four years of church planting in Michigan
New church planter for RCUS work in Omaha
Rev. Randall Klynsma has accepted a call as associate pastor for St. John’s Reformed Church (RCUS) of Lincoln, NE, tasked with planting a church in the Omaha metropolitan area. Rev. Klynsma took up his new responsibilities on February 1, 2016. The mission work, now known as Omaha Reformed Church, has been holding worship services since … Continue reading New church planter for RCUS work in Omaha
Glenda Faye Mathes 