How often do two pastors, serving the same denomination in the same country, accept calls to churches in a different denomination and country (but the same for both men) within days of each other? That scenario seems even more unlikely if the two pastors are first cousins—with the same last name. In God’s providence, that’s … Continue reading The Bredenhof cousins: Going to minister down under
Second man called to teach full-time at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary
When Classis Central US of the URCNA convened on September 15, 2014, the primary item on the agenda was the colloquium doctum of Rev. Ken Anema, who served Messiah’s Independent Reformed Church in Holland, MI, for almost 21 years and recently began teaching inmates through Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary. A requirement for that … Continue reading Second man called to teach full-time at Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary
Metokos Ministries, encouraging small churches
Dr. Don K. Clements, a teaching elder (ordained minister) in the PCA, has over 40 years of ministry experience and for the last 25 has worked with small churches toward revitalization. Under the supervision of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship, he is an Affiliate Evangelist who heads up Metokos Ministries, which provides encouragement for smaller churches. Christian … Continue reading Metokos Ministries, encouraging small churches
URC of Wellsburg: keeping and sharing the faith
Who says a small church can’t do big things? With only 11 families on the membership rolls, the United Reformed Church of Wellsburg is Classis Central’s smallest organized church. But it hosts an annual women’s retreat that brings Christian sisters together from beyond ecclesiastical boundaries. The annual retreat at a nearby Christian camp grew out … Continue reading URC of Wellsburg: keeping and sharing the faith
OPC Chaplain influencing military ethics
Chaplain (Major) Paul Berghaus is an ordained OPC minister who serves as ethics instructor for the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and assistant pastor at the Infantry Chapel in Fort Benning, GA. His work on military ethics and moral philosophy has been published in the Journal of Military Ethics, and this spring he traveled … Continue reading OPC Chaplain influencing military ethics
CRCNA/RCA Synods
CRCNA/RCA Synods strengthen denominational union When the Synods of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA) met in mid-June of 2014, they narrowed the increasingly thin 157-year-old gap between the two denominations. Both Synods met during the same time frame on the campus of Central College in … Continue reading CRCNA/RCA Synods
Moving to a new location
After seven years of sharing a facility with College Avenue Christian Church, Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, IA, now meets in a new location, shared with Christ United Methodist Church. “The sanctuary was built in 1954 and there is at least one couple who has been there since the start,” says Redeemer’s senior minister, … Continue reading Moving to a new location
Ordained to serve in Ecuador
Pablo Landázuri’s ordination marked the conclusion of one chapter in his life and the beginning of another. “I feel that this milestone was the end of a long and intense process,” he says, “but mainly the beginning of a great task.” That great task is bringing the Reformed faith to the people in Pablo’s native … Continue reading Ordained to serve in Ecuador
Uriah Courtney — wrongfully convicted
In 2005, Uriah Courtney was convicted for a crime he did not commit and sentenced to life in prison. He was released and exonerated in 2013 after new DNA testing proved his innocence. Because he was accused of a sexual assault on a minor, he was not permitted to see his son for the entire … Continue reading Uriah Courtney — wrongfully convicted
New pastor for URC in Sunnyside
Jordan Huff was ordained to the gospel ministry and installed as Minister of the Word and Sacraments at the United Reformed Church of Sunnyside, WA, on Friday, April 11, 2014. About 50 people attended the service, officiated by Rev. Chuck Tedrick (Calvary URC in Loveland, CO). Rev. Craig Davis (Grace URC in Kennewick, WA) read … Continue reading New pastor for URC in Sunnyside
Glenda Faye Mathes 