Pastor Zech Schiebout was installed as the minister of Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church, an OPC church plant in Pella, IA, on October 26, 2017. Although illness and losses initially brought the family back to the town where Zech grew up, God provided this new avenue of ministry. Rev. Mark Vander Hart, Associate Professor at Mid-America … Continue reading New Pastor for Pella OPC church plant
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
The annual fall conference at Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, IA (November, 2014), explored the crucial question, “Where’s Your Heart?” Speaker A. Craig Troxel, pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Wheaton, IL, and Adjunct Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, shared wisdom from his upcoming book on the subject. … Continue reading Conference on the Heart in Pella
In contrast to the September meeting of Classis Central US of the URCNA—which ran out of time to discuss the four overtures on its agenda—the March 3 & 4, 2014, meeting was the shortest in most delegates’ memory. A contributing factor was an abbreviated exam with a prompt decision. Another reason was that discussion on … Continue reading Short meeting for URC Classis Central US
The Heidelberg Catechism calls prayer the most important part of thankfulness. Many Reformed church orders list prayer as the primary responsibility of the minister, elder, and deacon. Yet few North American churches participate in corporate prayer as much as Christians in other parts of the world. A conference on “Prayer for All Seasons” at Covenant … Continue reading Prayer for All Seasons conference in Pella
After a vacancy of 20 months, Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, IA, welcomed its new pastor when Rev. Doug Barnes was installed on August 19, 2012. Dr. Cornel Venema, under whom Rev. Barnes studied at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, and Rev. Spencer Aalsburg, a close colleague of Rev. Barnes, led most of the morning worship, while … Continue reading Barnes family settles in at Covenant Pella
I'm literally Laughing Out Loud (LOL) as I anticipate today's Little One Lost (LOL) launch. Join me this morning as I participate in an hour of prayer and discussion related to the subject of infant loss on local radio station KCWN (99.9 FM). Interspersed with prayer and discussion, host Evelyn Nikkel will play appropriate music … Continue reading LOL Day
PRESS RELEASE -Yvonne Anderson works part time as a virtual assistant, but spends most of her time on the planet Gannah, researching her books. Her debut novel, The Story in the Stars (first in the space fantasy series “Gateway to Gannah”) was released last June, and the second is expected to land this summer. Timing … Continue reading Space explorer to visit Branches Bookstore May 3
Glenda Faye Mathes 