The Mid–America Reformed Seminary is “open for business” and by this time the first of many tests has been given by the professors and responded to by the students. The students will be measured as to their abilities and the professors as to their effectiveness in teaching. The students have also been assigned to co-operating pastors and consistories in order that the planned Pastoral Apprenticeship Program be implemented immediately. This program enables the student to put into practice the theory he learns in the classroom, and gives the student the added personal and educational benefits of a tutorial relationship between a pastor and the student.
Our Lord has been and is blessing this new seminary movement.
I remember the day of April 21, 1981 when about 60 laymen and ministers, many of us accompanied by our wives, first “caught the vision” as presented by the eight ministers from Northwest Iowa. The Iowa Eight were overwhelmed with the acceptance of their proposals by the endorsements of prayerful, verbal and financial support (over $40,000 pledged). An association was formed with the intent to open a new “school of the prophets” no later than September 1982. A decision was made to purchase the Harmony Youth Home in Orange City, Iowa.
The association prospered beyond the hopes of its founders both numerically and financially as the message was told throughout the land.
The association elected its first board (consisting of nine laymen and six ministers) during the summer of 1981. It enjoys a membership of men from Florida, California, Washington, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and Iowa. This board of trustees has had four meetings; September 1981, January, May, and August–September 1982.
Attendance at these board meetings continues to be a soul–enriching experience; for God is blessing the dedicated efforts of those keeping the “vision” and purpose in focus. We are of a mind to have fully-equipped men in the pulpits of the church. “Without neglecting the need for pastoral care we place much emphasis on training in the high calling of preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in all its fulness as the principal means of grace for the conversion of sinners, the edification of the congregation and the glory of our triune God.”
Highlights of the board meetings must include the in-depth interviews with candidates as possible faculty members as they were questioned as to their personal faith and life, their theological position and their view of seminary education. It is with much gratitude that we received the enormous amount of work performed between meetings by our Executive Committee, Building Committee, Finance Committee, Public Relations Committee and the Library Committee. Many loyal area men and women have labored in a spirit of love and dedication in the converting of the Harmony Youth Home to The Mid-America Reformed Seminary. To see the facilities change from meeting to meeting was exciting; the lower level double garage to a beautiful reception area; the boys’ gameroom to a worshipful chapel and the dormitory rooms to an excellent library (whereas we had hopes of beginning with approximately 5,000 volumes, the count is nearly 10,000) and class rooms and offices. The exterior is far more attractive now with the addition of plants, bushes and shrubs. With thanks to generous donors, the building is not only pleasant, but functional; and the library has many valuable collections. Our last meeting was concluded with participation in the SemFest as we joined more than 500 people in touring the seminary facilities and enjoying a chicken dinner in the warm Iowa sunshine.
The climax came in the evening at the first convocation of Mid-America Reformed Seminary held at Dordt Chapel. A crowd of over 600 people joined the faculty, the students, the board of trustees and representatives from seminaries and colleges in this impressive ceremony. The convocation was presided over by our President, Rev. Thomas Vanden Heuvel. Greetings, in the name of all the representatives, were brought by Dr. George Knight III of Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. The convocation address, “Toward a Distinctively Reformed Theology,” was brought by our Administrative Dean, Dr. Peter Y. DeJong. We have a vision, and the Lord is leading the way. He has given to us the following faculty: Dr. Peter Y. DeJong, Administrative Dean; Dr. Timothy M. Monsma, Academic Dean; Rev. C. Eric Fennema, and Rev. Henry Vander Kam, with the following beginning student body: Darwin Dykstra, Farrell Smith, Roger Sparks and Dwayne Vedders. May our Almighty God with the ever present power and guidance of The Holy Spirit use these men to the building of His Church and to the glory of His Name.
We thank God for this humble and yet joyful beginning. He has provided thru so many of His generous people that the facilities and the library are nearly free of debt. However, we are reminded of the need for continued dedication and support. The faculty is now an on–going expense as well as the development of future faculty members. The Rev. Nelson Kloosterman is presently studying in Kampen, The Netherlands, with a view to joining the faculty at our new seminary.
What hath God wrought?—He gave us a vision—He is blessing us on our way—we are called to faithfulness. Thanks be to God.
NOTE: Mr. Leonard D. Klok lives at Kalamazoo, Michigan.