Report on the RPCNA CYA WC 2008

Report on the RPCNA CYA WC 2008 by the lone Representative of FRPCNAGR

By Adam Bonner

    Despite my best intentions to the contrary, having persuaded myself only at the last minute, I packed my bags late Saturday morning, 19 January, and departed for Kokomo, Indiana. As the heart of Winter shows no pity to the stranded driver, I ventured out with an average of no less than three layers of clothing covering me, lest the intrepid Jeep break down amidst the vast prairie lands of East Central Indiana. The drive turned out to be a mere 3 ½ hours, and the lone Grand Rapidian (living abroad) arrived without incident. The latecomer rolled down E 500 S County Road past several cornfields and a few run down barns, and up the driveway to a set of unimposing houses which comprised the Sangralea Valley conference center, about 15 miles outside of Kokomo. Finding no one around, I proceeded north on E 500 S, entering the tiny town marked only by a small green sign with the words “Onw_rd City”. Onward, Indiana was less than inspiring, as the sign would suggest, containing only a small post office, an impressive, but abandoned school building, and a few small, rundown houses.

    Proceeding onward, I headed back. Once again, I arrived at the conference center, wherein dinner awaited me. I was greeted warmly by several friends of the Grand Rapids congregation, including our own adopted Miss Maggie Porter, along with Miss Eleni Elder, and Mr. Edwin-Allen Henry Blackwood II. During the course of the next two days, I also encountered the Rev. and Mrs. Keith Magil, along with several others who have visited Grand Rapids whose names I regret that I cannot fully recall. Dinner included lasagna, breadsticks, and plenty of salad, which would have easily fed several more people.

    After dinner, Session 3 commenced in the meeting house across the soccer field from the sleeping quarters (in my tardiness, I missed Sessions 1 and 2, so I cannot fairly report on them). The message, entitled “The Solution to Job’s Dilemma” proceeded the heartfelt singing of several Psalm selections out of the Book of Psalms for Singing (better know to us as the Red Psalter). Rev. David Hanson (Grace RP, State College, PA) expounded upon Job 36:24 – 37:24, describing Elihu as the true friend of Job, who reminds Job that God’s incomprehensible works are accomplishing purposes beyond Job’s understanding. We received exhortation from the verses 36:24-25 to remember and magnify the incomprehensible works of God.

    The next morning we rose early for quite time, followed by much coffee and cereal. Many thanks are due to our faithful cooks for diligently preparing all our meals while the rest of us took part in games and other social activities. We then caravanned to Sycamore Church (Kokomo), where all 150 of us nearly filled the church to capacity, leaving only a few scattered pews open to the regular members of the church. Rev. Barry York expounded Genesis 48:1-22 in a sermon entitled “An Inheritance of Godliness”. As we waited patiently for our turn at the food line after the service, it was decided to make the best of the time with the singing of Psalms. Fellowship dinner followed, during which we were encouraged by hearing of the working of God in the churches and universities represented by those in attendance. We closed the afternoon with the singing of Psalm 98A.

    At 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, we were invited to “Stump the Chumps”, during which time questions written down by those in attendance were posed to a panel of 5 ministers representing three Indiana churches and two Western Pennsylvania churches. The questions were divided under the categories of “Love”, “Weird Worship”, “Theology”, “Extremely Personal”, and “UFOs and the Likes”. Questions ranged from the theological: “Why is church membership held so highly in the RP church?”, and “Does a church officer have to hold strictly to the RP Testimony?”; to the practical “What are three goals a Christian single should accomplish before marriage?”; to the intensely personal “Which pastor in a better ping-pong player?” Most questions were answered quite satisfactorily.

    The last session (preceded again by the spontaneous singing of Psalms) was on the theme of Job’s sanctification. The four ministers preceded the sermon with a moving, passionate recitation of God’s challenge to Job found in chapters 38 – 42. Session 4 was undoubtedly the climax of the series! Rev. Hanson emphasized the working of God through Job’s trials to educate him in the ways of God (42:1-3), to advance Job’s sanctification (42:5), and to lead Job to repentance (42:4-6) and submission, concluding that the sufferings of this life work in us toward eternal glory.

    Fitting is the connection between the life of Job and the words of Psalm 119I:

Ere I afflicted was I strayed;

Thy word I now obey.

For good Thou art and doest good:

Teach me Thy statutes way.

It has been very good for me

That I was humbled low.

It through affliction was that I

Thy statutes came to know.

    Obligations at work required that I leave promptly after Sunday evening meal for the purpose of returning to Northern Illinois for the requisite nights’ rest, although wrap-up events remained for the following morning. Quick farewells were said, and I was on my way. The return trip was similarly uneventful.