“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
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
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
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
URC of Sunnyside: Trusting God for the extraordinary in the ordinary
How does a small church reach out to its neighbors when many of them don’t speak English? That’s a challenge for the United Reformed Church in Sunnyside, WA, where 85% of the population is Latino. “Outreach is very difficult in a town like Sunnyside due to ethnic and cultural demographics,” Rev. Jordan Huff says. “Please … Continue reading URC of Sunnyside: Trusting God for the extraordinary in the ordinary
Glenda Faye Mathes 