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
Changing the Ethos of Chicago
On February 14, 2016, Justin Beach was ordained as Associate Pastor at Ethos Chicago, a unique church that meets for weekly worship at the historic Biograph Theater in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on the city’s north side. “God has led me on a journey I never knew I would take,” Justin says. “Ten years ago … Continue reading Changing the Ethos of Chicago
In His time: Patient waiting leads to Lynden, Washington call
For Mark Vander Pol, the call to become Pastor of Congregational Life for Lynden United Reformed Church in Lynden, WA, came in God’s perfect timing. He and wife Michelle finalized the adoption of their two children on February 24, he planned to resign from his work as a chemist on March 18, and the family … Continue reading In His time: Patient waiting leads to Lynden, Washington call
New minister for Spanish Language Ministry in Ontario, CA
Taylor Kern was ordained on January 31, 2016, at Ontario URC in California to pastor the church’s Spanish language ministry. Ontario’s minister, Rev. Adam Kaloostian, led the evening worship service and officiated the ordination, assisted by Spanish-speaking elder, Gabriel Martinez. Rev. Jaimeson Stockhaus (PCA) preached and presented the charge. Other pastors in attendance included Rev. … Continue reading New minister for Spanish Language Ministry in Ontario, CA
URCNA Missions Committee gathers for face to face meeting in Orlando
With members from every classis across the United States and Canada, the URCNA Missions Committee generally meets through video-conference calls or communicates via email. But it aims for two face-to-face meetings per year, and January 26-28, 2016, seemed the perfect time for committee members to gather in sunny Orlando, FL. Classis SWUS representative Rev. Michael … Continue reading URCNA Missions Committee gathers for face to face meeting in Orlando
Oord ordination in Indiana
The ordination of a man with the last name of Oord provides many opportunities for word play. But the service for James Oord on January 7, 2016, at Community URC in Schererville, IN, truly was extraOordinary in some ways. Two of the participating pastors share a long and unique relationship with the Oord family, while … Continue reading Oord ordination in Indiana
Plan to publish Trinity Psalter Hymnal in Autumn of 2017
The joint songbook project of the OPC and the URCNA is nearing completion. December 31, 2015, marked the deadline for churches to submit feedback regarding the proposed hymn collection, which had been posted online for review since May of 2015. Rev. Derrick J. Vander Meulen, Chairman of the URCNA’s Psalter Hymnal Committee, explained that … Continue reading Plan to publish Trinity Psalter Hymnal in Autumn of 2017
The Bredenhof cousins: Going to minister down under
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
Small Churches: Measuring success or faithfulness?
The emergence and popularity of megachurches in recent years has led many church-goers to think of success in terms of numerical growth, but small congregations often surpass larger counterparts in important elements like fellowship and unity. Bigger isn’t necessarily better. The ultimate indicator of success is faithfulness. Any true church—no matter it’s size—is one that … Continue reading Small Churches: Measuring success or faithfulness?
Glenda Faye Mathes 