* Gabaldon Visits and Visitors

 

Church Building of the All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship

 

 

Throughout this past year, we have been able (now and then) to take family and friends along with us on our visits to the All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon. We worship here once each month (the Smits do so twice each month). Here are a few pictures of some who have been able to join us on these visits.

 

 

Visitors in January

 

 

Visitors in February

 

 

Visitors in May

 

 

Visitors in October

 

 

This past weekend, Andy Ragual & Ghen Balanquit (who regularly attend the Berean PRC) joined us for our visit to the AGPRF.

 

 

An early start - we picked them up in Balintawak at 5:00 a.m.

 

 

Still smiling after a couple hours in the car.

 

 

We've arrived!

 

 

Getting ready for worship to begin.

 

 

After our catechism class and two worship services, some of the members of the AGPRF joined us for a short drive.

 

 

All squeezed in.

 

 

The 11 who fit in our car.

 

 

We thoroughly enjoyed having Andy & Ghen along.  The saints in Gabaldon were also glad to meet and get to know them.

 

On a slightly different note, on a recent trip to Gabaldon we stopped along the road for a short rest, only to find out that we had a dead battery when it was time to head off again.  Oops, someone left the lights on!

 

 

 

 

Guess who stood in the road and waved the jumper cables in the air whenever a car came past!  Someone took pity and provided the help we needed.  We were soon on our way, and even made it to church on time.
 
 

* Exam of Pastor John Flores

Another significant event recently took place in the churches here in the Philippines.  Not too long ago (see our previous posts: Delegation Visit (3), (4) and (5)) we were able to share the happy news concerning the examination and ordination of Pastor Vernon Ibe.  This past Friday, November 30, Pastor John Flores, minister in the First Reformed Church of Bulacan also submitted to an oral examination by the Combined Consistories of the Berean Protestant Reformed Church and the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.  This exam was similar to a classical examination and was given according to Article 9 of the Church Order of Dordt (which has been adopted by both of the consistories).  The exam was hosted by and held in the building of the FRCB, with the FRCB ladies supplying the lunch and meriendas (snacks).

Rev. Kleyn, president of the combined consistories, opens the meeting with announcements and devotions.

Rev. Smit, secretary, takes minutes of the meeting.

Pastor Flores preaches his specimen sermon on John 6:44.

 

The audience - consisting of members of the FRCB, BPRC and other friends and relatives.

 

After preaching his specimen sermon, and after the decision of the Combined Consistories to approve the sermon, Pastor Flores was then examined orally for more than three hours.  The examination schedule was as follows, with 15 minutes allotted for each section:

Theology — Rev. Kleyn

Anthropology — Rev. Smit

Christology — Rev. Kleyn

Soteriology — Rev. Smit

Ecclesiology — Rev. Kleyn

Eschatology — Rev. Smit

Knowledge of Scripture — Rev. Smit

Knowledge of the Confessions — Rev. Kleyn

Controversy — Rev. Smit

Protestant Reformed Distinctives — Rev. Kleyn

Knowledge of the Church Order — Rev. Smit

Practica — Rev. Kleyn

 

  

Rev. Smit asks questions.

 Rev. Kleyn asks questions.

 

The members of both consistories had opportunity to ask follow-up questions as well.

Lunch time....

and time for fellowship.

Some of the younger attendees.

Announcement of the approved examination......

and presentation of the diploma.

 

Congratulations!

 

 

As the pictures indicate, the Combined Consistories unanimously approved the examination of Pastor Flores.

 

Pastor Flores will continue to serve as a pastor of the First Reformed Church of Bulacan.  But through this examination, the way has been prepared for him to be recognized and serve as a minister in the future federation.  The work toward forming a federation of Protestant Reformed Churches is ongoing, but once that has been finalized, the Lord willing, Pastor Flores will have all the rights and privileges of a minister of the Word and sacraments in that federation (e.g., pulpit exchanges, mission work, etc.).

 

We thank the Lord for His answer to prayers in sustaining Pastor Flores through his examination, and for His blessing on the work here through this event.