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On November 4 and 5 Alan and Debra Hirsch were the key note speakers at a Discipleship training event in Wyoming, MI at South Harbor Church. This was a combined event presented by Calvin Seminary, Journey out of Western Seminary and the Christian Reformed Home Missions. Alan is the director of Forge Mission Training Network and co-founder of Shapevine and has authored books such as The Forgotten Ways and co-author of ReJesus and The Shaping of Things to Come. Debra is a minister at Tribe of Los Angeles, an eclectic bunch of missional artists and vagabonds in downtown LA and serves on leadership team of a church-planting agency.
Amidst fields of soybean, corn, and rolling pastures; amidst trails of dust and the aroma of livestock in the air; amidst (SMV signs) slow moving vehicles; amidst starry skies and moonlit nights – lays the church in rural America. To those who live in the rural area of Greenleafton, Minnesota, this truly is God’s country – “in the middle of nowhere, yet, in the middle of everywhere. Click for complete story.
We want to offer an opportunity for those of you who love to decorate a Christmas tree to bring a real or artificial tree to Inspiration Hills Camp & Retreat Center to display for 2 days in he grandeur of our Lodge at "The First Annual Christmas on the Hill!" Celebrating 10 Years in Ministry
Hurricane Irene Relief Dear Friends,
Rocky Mountain High 2011 Our mission: To provide a large group encounter with the transformational truth and love of Jesus for students and leaders. July 23-27, the YMCA camp at Estes Park, Colorado, became home to more than 2,700 high school students and adult leaders from across the Synod of the Heartland. So, meeting the first part of the Rocky mission statement is not a problem. This is a very large group!
With a theme of “Amplify,” the event focused on finding ways to get rid of the noise around us and to amplify Christ in every aspect of our lives. Large-group sessions, held twice each day, featured speakers like Jared Herd, chalk artist Ben Glenn, and Tom Tufts. Incredible musicians like Alli Rogers, Kristian Stanfill, and Sky Like Fire led times of praise and worship. Special seminars were led by Craig and Molly Sanborn, Ben Glenn, Tom Tufts, and Dave Bartlett, providing the opportunity to encounter the truth and love of Jesus through a wide range of topics. Rocky Mountain High provides the location and atmosphere to encounter Christ. The Holy Spirit provides the power to transform the lives of the many individuals who took the opportunity and the risk to attend. More than 2,700 Midwesterners returned home ready to “crank it up” and amplify Christ in their homes and communities.
Dr. Tom Smith, copastor of Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, was elected vice president of the General Synod on Tuesday morning. He was installed during the synod's closing worship service and will serve over the next year. "Thanks to our God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--who inspires us as a congregation, synod, denomination," he said. Smith thanked his family members, including siblings Paul Smith and Beth Smith, who work at Western Theological Seminary, and his mother, Marian, who all accompanied him to the platform. He also remembered his father, John M. Smith, who also served the RCA as a pastor and who died last year. Addressing the synod, he said, "Thank you for this privilege to serve you as vice president. I am honored." He also shared his "life verse," Ephesians 3:20-21: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen" (NLT). Smith and his wife, Peg, have two grown children and two grandchildren. He has previously served Riverside Reformed Church in Bloomington, Minnesota; Bismarck Reformed Church in Bismarck, North Dakota; and Hope Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A graduate of Northwestern College, Western Theological Seminary, and Bethel Theological Seminary, he has served four terms as classis president and on several classis and synod committees. He has also served as president of the board of trustees of Love INC of Sioux County. More information about General Synod
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Luke Baehr a recent seminary graduate to start at Silver Creek Church, Silver Creek, MN Rev. Dave Sikkemafrom American Reformed Church, Luverne, MN, to retirement in Holland, MI. Rev. Verlyn Boone from First Reformed, Hull, IA, to Bridge of Hope Ministries, Sioux Center, IA Rev. Dave Landegentfrom Central Park Reformed, Holland, MI, to Volga, SD. Rev. Jared Lee from Tennessee, to Bismarck Community, Bismarck, ND. Rev. Brian Hellenga resigned from Salem Reformed, Little Rock, IA. Rev. Dave Vander Laan resigned from Hope Reformed, George, IA. Rev. Don De Kok from Church Planter to First Reformed, Maurice, IA. Rev. Jim Lemmenesfrom Roseland, Blomkest, MN, to Humboldt, IA. Rev. Andrew Schmidtto Celebrate, Knoxville, IA. Rev. Brett Vander Berg to First Reformed, Aplington, IA.
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"Untamed" authors speak at Discipleship Training
Tailgating: The Rural Church 
First Annual Chrismas on the Hill
You are invited to come and celebrate with us!!
The beauty and majesty of the Rocky Mountains provides the perfect location to encounter God by witnessing his awesome creation. For many students this is the first time they have been this far away from their homes in the farmland of the Midwest.
Rocky Mountain High is a project of the Synod of the Heartland held every three years at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. For more information, photos, and video clips of this year’s Rocky, visit 
Dr. Tom Smith Elected Vice President