The stately building of First United Reformed Church sits on a tree-lined corner of Oak Lawn, Illinois. The historic building reflects a lengthy history of Christian worship, and the congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary on September 13, 2015. About 250 people attended that day’s morning service, 180 enjoyed a fellowship lunch, and 200 participated … Continue reading First URC of Oak Lawn: 100 years and counting
URCNA Classis Pacific NW declares candidate
New Covenant United Reformed Church in Twin Falls, ID, hosted the October 20-21, 2015, meeting of the URCNA’s Classis Pacific Northwest. The candidacy exam of Mr. Benjamin Davenport was the primary matter on the agenda. Examiners and sessions consisted of Rev. Russell Herman (Practica), Rev. Jonathan Van Hoogen (Bible Knowledge), Rev. Nick Smith (Biblical … Continue reading URCNA Classis Pacific NW declares candidate
Luz de Vida’s new building in Ecuador
When the Luz de Vida congregation in Quito, Ecuador, needed to find a new worship location before July 15, 2015, God provided one on July 13—only two days before the deadline. On Sunday, July 19, the congregation began services at the new building with morning worship at 10:00 am and an evening prayer service at … Continue reading Luz de Vida’s new building in Ecuador
Yi Wang: Chinese architect for Italian Reformation
Yi Wang (pronounced Ee Wan) was born in northeast China in 1989. He says, “I know it was a sensitive year, but I didn’t have a choice.” As Yi grew up, he developed an atheistic and evolutionary worldview. But while attending college to become an architect, Yi’s mind often filled with important questions about life … Continue reading Yi Wang: Chinese architect for Italian Reformation
URC ministers conference focuses on the ordinary
About 45 ministers met for a United Reformed Church pastors conference, held from June 1-3, 2015, at Westminster Seminary California (WSC). With a theme of “The Ordinary Ministry,” it was appropriate for Dr. Michael Horton (Escondido URC, Escondido, CA) to speak on Monday evening about his recent book, Ordinary: Sustainable Faith in a Radical, … Continue reading URC ministers conference focuses on the ordinary
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
Cincinnati’s Reformed in America Conference: joint OPC-URC effort
The Good Shepherd OPC and Westside Reformed Church, a URCNA church plant, co-sponsored the “Reformed in America” conference in Cincinnati, OH, on February 6 & 7, 2015. The conference concept grew along with the friendship between the pastors of the two congregations. About the same time Rev. Zac Wyse began planting Westside Reformed Church, Rev. … Continue reading Cincinnati’s Reformed in America Conference: joint OPC-URC effort
New Westminster URC: Finding the way forward
With only 38 members, New Westminster URC (formerly ORC) in New Westminster, BC, is definitely one of the smaller congregations in the United Reformed federation. But it follows God’s leading to out-distance larger congregations in creative outreach efforts. On January 12, 2015, the church launched its newest endeavor: The Way Forward, an addictions recovery support … Continue reading New Westminster URC: Finding the way forward
URCNA classis and OPC presbytery connect by sharing facilities
URCNA’s Classis Eastern US and the OPC’s Presbytery of New Jersey held concurrent meetings on October 14 & 15, 2014, at Preakness Valley URC in Wayne, NJ. According to Classis Eastern US Stated Clerk, Rev. Drew Eenigenburg, the effort culminated “three years of invitations and preparation by our fraternal relations committees.” The cooperative effort began with the … Continue reading URCNA classis and OPC presbytery connect by sharing facilities
New Covenant URC of Twin Falls, ID: No home yet, but at home in God’s providence
The city of Twin Falls perches beside the Snake River Canyon in southern Idaho. North of the city, the Perrine Bridge spans the expanse, nearly 500 feet above the river. The bridge is popular with BASE jumpers and may be the only manmade structure in the US where such jumping is legal year-round without a … Continue reading New Covenant URC of Twin Falls, ID: No home yet, but at home in God’s providence
Glenda Faye Mathes 