The first SEMFEST and the first meeting of the board of trustees for the newly-organized MidAmerica Reformed Seminary Association took place in September. Both meetings were acclaimed as very successful.
Borrowing the idea from the Reformed theological seminary in Kampen, the Netherlands, the new seminary steering committee organized a schooldag (“school day”) for Friday, Sept. 3, 1981. Guests were invited to inspect the recently–acquired facilities near Orange City, to enjoy a delicious chicken dinner served on the premises, and to attend a rally in a large, circus–type tent erected on the grounds.
Plunging ahead “on faith,” the organizers ordered 400 dinners and set up about 600 chairs. Mockers were present in the area, of course, and predictions were available that the seminary’s steering committee would be eating left-over chicken for several weeks. In addition, up to that day weather conditions were generally unfavorable for an· outdoor gathering.
Friday, Sept. 3 dawned bright and clear, however, and it turned out to be the most agreeable day weather–wise for a considerable period. This was indeed a harbinger of great things to come so far as the sponsors of the event were concerned! Fact is that almost 400 chicken dinners were served, and every chair plus a few more brought in from the seminary building was filled.
The program featured a stirring address by Rev. John Sittema of Sanborn, Iowa. A Dordt College choral group directed by Prof. Dale Grotenhuis offered a number of most appropriate and beautiful selections, group singing was excellently led by Prof. Gerald Bouma, also of Dordt College, and Dr. Peter Y. De J ong briefly announced the availability of evening adult education courses for the fall of 1981 and the spring of 1982. Rev. Thomas G. Van den Heuvel of Orange City presided.
It was a happy and enthusiastic crowd that attended this meeting. Seminary leaders hope that this will be an annual event, an effort that will help keep this movement close to God’s people!
The organizational meeting for t he newly-elected members of the board of trustees for Mid-America Reformed Seminary Association was held on Monday evening and Tuesday, Sept. 20, 21, in the seminary building.
Present were Harlyn Jacobsma, Orange City businessman; Henry Vander Pol, Seattle businessman; Rev. Thomas Vanden Heuvel, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church, Orange City; Rev. Richard Venema, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church, Chino, Cal.; Nick Yonker, Holland, Mich. businessman; John M. Vander Aa, South Holland, Ill. attorney; Rev. Nelson Kloosterman, pastor of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, Sheldon; Dr. Steward F. Kanis, Pella, Ia. physician; Leonard Klok, Kalamazoo, Mich. businessman; Rev. John H. Piersma, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Center; Rev. Edward Heerema, pastor–emeritus of the Bradenton, Fla. Christian Reformed Church; Bartel Zandstra, Highland, Ind. attorney; James Boogerd, Rock Valley businessman; Rev. J erome Julien, pastor of First Christian Reformed Church, Sheldon, Ia:.; John O. Van Hofwegen, Walnut Creek, Cal. businessman.
Advisers were Rev. Edward Knott of Rock Valley; Dr. Peter Y. De Jong of Orange City; Rev. Henry Vander Kam of Doon; Rev. C. Eric Fennema of Sibley and Rev. John R. Sittema of Sanborn. Chosen as officers were Mr. Vanden Heuvel, president; Mr. Julien, vice–president; Mr. Kloosterman, secretary; Mr. Jacobsma, treasurer.
John H. Piersma has just transferred to become pastor of the Pleasant Street C.R. Church of Whitinsville, Massachusetts. He is our original trustee and editor of the Reformed Fellowship.