The board of Reformed Fellowship, Inc. was deeply honored when Rev. John Vander Ploeg accepted the invitation to become the managing editor of its monthly periodical, TORCH AND TRUMPET.
Rev. Vander Ploeg is no stranger to our readers. He served capably as Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Reformed denominational publication, The Banner, for fourteen years. Now in his years of retirement when he could be enjoying full-time rest and relaxation, he has chosen to continue his loyal service to the Lord and to his church by soliciting materials for and contributing regular editorials to TORCH AND TRUMPET.
We welcome Rev. Vander Ploeg to this position. He is eminently qualified to address himself to the needs of the Christian community. During his long and fruitful ministry he has served congregations in various parts of our country, beginning in East Paris, Michigan, and continuing in First, Pella, Iowa; First, Lansing, Illinois; and Grace, Kalamazoo. Since 1956 he has been the Editor-in-Chief of The Banner.
During his years in the denominational building at 2850 Kalamazoo Ave., S. E., Grand Rapids, he has been “on top” of the denomination. He has led the defense of the faith in our denomination during these last fourteen years. He was the first to expose the questioning of the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture by timely editorials pointing out the problems and the implications of deviating from the faith. When problems arose regarding the interpretation of the first chapters of Genesis and the relationship of creation over against evolution, Rev. Vander Ploeg did not shrink from opening the eyes of the people to the problem and to a stalwart defense of the faith. We remember well how our brother Vander Ploeg sought to defend the doctrine of limited or particular atonement when this issue was before us. We could continue to list the various issues which the Editor of The Banner discussed, such as: theological education in Nigeria, the baptismal vow as a pledge to have children in the Christian School, the matter of lodge membership, membership in the World Council of Churches, and the issue of the infamous “Bananer.” We are grateful to Rev. Vander Ploeg for his sound Biblical scholarship and his willingness to openly expose error and faithfully defend the truth. We as a church owe him a great debt of Christian gratitude.
During his work as the Editor of The Banner, that publication received first place award in 1966 in the denominational category at the Evangelical Press Association. He attended, together with a group of editors, a reception at the White House and a news briefing at the U.S. State Department in 1968. This was an opportunity to meet President and Mrs. Johnson and to chat with the President as well as to question Secretary of State Dean Rusk.
In September of 1968 he had the unforgettable experience of having a free trip to Israel with a group of editors of religious publications.
We welcome Rev. Vander Ploeg to the position of managing editor of TORCH AND TRUMPET. It is our prayer that the Lord may gra nt him many years to minister with his pen. We are living in perilous times. Men are ever learning and not able to come to the knowledge of the truth. As foundations are shaking, it is the confidence of the child of God that we have an anchor which is sure. Those who know Rev. Vander Ploeg know that he is a man of God. He loves the Lord and loves the Word of God. We know that the Lord has used him effectively in the past and we trust that the King of the Church will continue to use him to faithfully and fearlessly defend the faith and to promote his rule in all areas of life.
THOMAS C. VANDEN HEUVEL, Pastor Central Ave. Chr. Ref.
Rev. Vander Ploeg is no stranger to our readers. He served capably as Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Reformed denominational publication, The Banner, for fourteen years. Now in his years of retirement when he could be enjoying full-time rest and relaxation, he has chosen to continue his loyal service to the Lord and to his church by soliciting materials for and contributing regular editorials to TORCH AND TRUMPET.
We welcome Rev. Vander Ploeg to this position. He is eminently qualified to address himself to the needs of the Christian community. During his long and fruitful ministry he has served congregations in various parts of our country, beginning in East Paris, Michigan, and continuing in First, Pella, Iowa; First, Lansing, Illinois; and Grace, Kalamazoo. Since 1956 he has been the Editor-in-Chief of The Banner.
During his years in the denominational building at 2850 Kalamazoo Ave., S. E., Grand Rapids, he has been “on top” of the denomination. He has led the defense of the faith in our denomination during these last fourteen years. He was the first to expose the questioning of the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture by timely editorials pointing out the problems and the implications of deviating from the faith. When problems arose regarding the interpretation of the first chapters of Genesis and the relationship of creation over against evolution, Rev. Vander Ploeg did not shrink from opening the eyes of the people to the problem and to a stalwart defense of the faith. We remember well how our brother Vander Ploeg sought to defend the doctrine of limited or particular atonement when this issue was before us. We could continue to list the various issues which the Editor of The Banner discussed, such as: theological education in Nigeria, the baptismal vow as a pledge to have children in the Christian School, the matter of lodge membership, membership in the World Council of Churches, and the issue of the infamous “Bananer.” We are grateful to Rev. Vander Ploeg for his sound Biblical scholarship and his willingness to openly expose error and faithfully defend the truth. We as a church owe him a great debt of Christian gratitude.
During his work as the Editor of The Banner, that publication received first place award in 1966 in the denominational category at the Evangelical Press Association. He attended, together with a group of editors, a reception at the White House and a news briefing at the U.S. State Department in 1968. This was an opportunity to meet President and Mrs. Johnson and to chat with the President as well as to question Secretary of State Dean Rusk.
In September of 1968 he had the unforgettable experience of having a free trip to Israel with a group of editors of religious publications.
We welcome Rev. Vander Ploeg to the position of managing editor of TORCH AND TRUMPET. It is our prayer that the Lord may gra nt him many years to minister with his pen. We are living in perilous times. Men are ever learning and not able to come to the knowledge of the truth. As foundations are shaking, it is the confidence of the child of God that we have an anchor which is sure. Those who know Rev. Vander Ploeg know that he is a man of God. He loves the Lord and loves the Word of God. We know that the Lord has used him effectively in the past and we trust that the King of the Church will continue to use him to faithfully and fearlessly defend the faith and to promote his rule in all areas of life.
THOMAS C. VANDEN HEUVEL, Pastor Central Ave. Chr. Ref.