Mason County Reformed Church TAB

A special publication of the Ludington Daily News • Friday, December 2, 2016

Celebrating and showcasing the church’s latest and biggest work, a 10,000-squarefoot expansion wing...

Childre s Children’ Ministry Center

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS

Looking back at MCRC

Highlights in history of the church, the people and the events

Mason County Reformed Church had its beginnings in the 1960s

Working with the Muskegon Classic, seven worship services were held and in the summer of 1967, seminary student James Stralow and his family came to lead the church in worship and to canvass the area for the prospect of possible growth.

Stralow’s findings led the Muskegon Classis and the local people to make the decision that new work would proceed toward the establishment of a church in Mason County.

In the spring of 1968, a parsonage was purchased along with adjacent land for the future church.

In March of 1968, a call was extended to the Rev. Ralph Pronk. Pronk accepted. On Dec. 3, the official organization of MCRC took place.

On July 23 and 24, the new sanctuary was dedicated.

In 1984, a new addition to the church was considered and approved, with a groundbreaking of the addition Sept. 9, 1984 and a dedication, May 9, 1985.

Pastors throughout the church’s history were Pronk, the Rev. Harvey He-

nevald, the Rev. Richard Borst, the Rev. Jack Klunder and the Rev. Rick Van Haitsma.

There is also thanks to the Rev. Adrian Newhouse for the support and his encouragement to MCRC.

A FIXTURE IN THE COMMUNITY The church employs programs like Kids Hope. A second addition to the church building has taken place, the parking lot has been expanded, media and technologies have been expanded and upgraded to enhance communication as well as assist in the delivery of the message.

MCRC has transitioned from church pews to movable chairs, holds a junior and senior high youth group, Gems and Cadets programs, women’s ministries, a quilting group that sews quilts for individuals who are ill (member or non-member), and has developed a Small Group ministry.

As a congregation, MCRC reads “The Purpose Driven Church” and “The Purpose Driven Life.”

MCRC believes “We exist to become disciples who go make disciples of Jesus Christ.”

‘We exist to become disciples who go make disciples of Jesus Christ.’

MCRC

| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS

A word from the MCRC pastor Senior Pastor Todd Bush In September of 2015, our family felt strongly called to move to Mason County and serve as the pastor of Mason County Reformed Church.

This has been one, of many moves, that we have experienced as a family. I have served different Reformed churches across Michigan, including churches in Holland, Kalamazoo, and Hudsonville.

I have also been involved with church planting, planting churches in Dallas, Texas and Norton Shores, Michigan.

In my “previous” life, I

worked as an engineer doing primarily product support in the area of Grand Rapids.

My advanced schooling was at Calvin College where I received my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. My calling in ministry then led me to Western Theological Seminary where I received my Master of Divinity degree and was licensed for ministry within the Reformed Church.

From there I headed to my first lead position in Kalamazoo, Michigan and the rest is history.

I have been married “forever” to the love of my life, Carol. If you’ve ever met her, you

will know immediately that I married way up. I don’t think there’s any doubt that she’s the real “likable” one in the pair. We met backpacking in Yellowstone National Park during the winter of 1988.

We were then married in the summer of 1992 after dating “seriously” for over three years. She got her “hooks” in me after that and never let go. God really is good. God also showed His sense of humor by blessing me with not one, but three daughters to soften my heart and teach me the emotional side of human nature. These girls have been an incredible blessing in

my life, but don’t be fooled by their sweet smiles and loving demeanor, they can definitely take care of themselves and they have their daddy wrapped around their little fingers.

A PASTOR’S MESSAGE “Fifty years ago a small group from Mason County had a vision to start a church in the Ludington/ Scottville area that was serious about meeting needs in the community, that was welcoming to all people and that offered the amazing hope for life and in death through a relationship with

Jesus Christ. Today, Mason County Reformed Church may look different and feel different, but it still has the same fundamental vision that it started with. Here at MCRC we still have an incredible desire to be active in our community ministering to those who may be in need and empowering the families around us. In fact, our prayer is that we will be such an integral part of the Mason County community that if we ceased to exist there would be a huge vacancy left in our absence.

We also have a passion to be a church that welcomes

everybody regardless of past or present conditions so that all can experience the hope and healing that is found in Jesus Christ. Consequently, we are a church that is contemporary, casual and relevant to everyday life. We understand that at the core of Christianity, the church is really about grace-filled accountable relationships, not religion.

We are so thankful for the opportunity and privilege to be part of this community, and we pray that the next fifty years will be as beneficial and fruitful as the last.”

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS

| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Children’s Ministry Center opens with festivities

BY MITCH GALLOWAY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

“There is a vision to build a location point with families who have so many SCOTTVILLE — The Mason needs,” said Todd Bush, County Reformed Church Mason County Reformed is about to unveil its lat- Church pastor. “The vision est and biggest work — a is to have somewhere safe 10,000-square-foot expan- the community can be at. sion wing called the Chil- The community gave up dren’s Ministry Center. their time to help with this The center, which start- Children’s (Ministry) Cened as a plan five years ago, ter.” hosted a grand opening for Bush and Chris Duran, the public’s viewing Sunday, Children’s Ministry diOct. 9, at Mason County Re- rector, said there will be formed Church, 45 S. Amber anywhere from 60 to 80 Road. children between the two

services Sunday.

“We hope to have as many families as we can here,” Duran said. “Hundred of kids every Sunday would be perfect. (The Center) is perfect for any size class.”

Some of the groups featured at the Children’s Ministry Center is UpStreet, Gems Girls Club, Cadets Boys Club and other middle and high school youth.

From a bible story room to a toddler room to an arts and crafts room, the Mason

County Reformed Church designed the rooms “for a particular area of study or age group,” Bush said.

“Kids will have more movement, more engagement,” he said.

The center will be open to viewing Sunday after service, followed by a pig roast from noon to 3 p.m.

There will also be pony rides, Home Depot projects for kids, face-painting, corn-hole tournaments, cotton candy, bounce house and inflatable ob-

stacle course, balloon animals, photo booth, squirt gun scavenger hunt, carnival games, reverse bingo, freshly-made apple cider and tours of the new children’s Center.

Some local sponsors who have helped with the project are Hughes Builders, Anderson Electrical Services, Metalworks and FloraCraft.

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE In November of 2011, there was a congregation-

al meeting to approve the forming of a building team with a vote of 71 members in favor and one opposed. In February of 2012, the building team was formed. Six months later, the congregation found a church architect from Grand Rapids, Jeff Parker Architects. December of that same year meetings were held with ministry leaders to find need in the Mason County Reformed Church.

SEE CHILDREN’S MINISTRY, A5

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: ‘We hope to have as many families as we can here’ FROM PAGE A4

The following year features a master plan (10year plan) developed by Parker and a capital campaign team was formed.

The next year, April of 2014, the building team starts getting bids on phase one and two, with the total projected cost of building at more than $2 million.

In May, the church broke ties from Parker, and Jeff Curtis redesigns the new addition before giving the new design to Hughes

constructed, and heating and cooling installed. The following month the weekly building nights, Monday and Thursday, had the congregation help with electrical, insulation, painting, hanging doors and ceilings, and running wires.

Builders.

Hughes Builders then gives building team proposal with a new design — estimated cost $750,000.

MORE KEY EVENTS SEPTEMBER 2014 — groundbreaking with children

To learn more about Mason County Reformed Church, visit www. mcrchurch.org.

DECEMBER 2014 — construction starts JANUARY TO June 2015 — shell was built, plumbing, concrete floor, interior walls

mitch@ludingtondailynews.com (231) 843-1122 x348

Congratulations On the new Youth Ministry Center.

Thank you for providing a solid foundation for our children to build on.

! s n o i t a l u t a r g n Co

Mason County Reformed Church

On the new Childrens Ministry Center.

Our Community is Blessed.

WASTE REDUCTION SYSTEMS, LLC 5848 N. Stiles Rd., Ludington 231-843-9129

911 S. State Street, Hart

231-873-5440

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS

| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Savor the Joys that

There’s something for everyone! Mason County Reformed Chur offers many opportunities to serve, grow, and be apart of the fam

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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Our Savior Provides

rch mily!

MINISTRIES

There is much fun to be had for kids of all ages at Mason County Reformed Church!

Our goal is to keep them hungry for more on their journey with God! Check out what we have just for them.

Sunday Morning Church just for kids! 0-5th grade!

(Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) For girls 1st-8th grade!

Our youth ministry works to have fun and make God real to students! In doing this well, we have Jr. High (180) Ministry for kids 6th-8th grades, and Sr. High (The Pulse) Ministry.

Jr. High Ministry for 6th-8th grades.

For boys ages 7 – 16

Adult small groups serve to get you connected with others as you do life together. There are groups for everyone – from marriage groups, bible studies, prayer groups, various topic discussions and studies, etc. Contact us to get plugged into a group that works well with you, your family and your schedule!

Sr. High Ministry

MCRC is partnered with many opportunities for outreach near and far. Whether you feel called to help right here in Mason County or beyond the boarders of the US, we want to encourage you to plug into that calling!

Check out our partnerships below and let us know if you want to know more!

Combating hunger in our community.

One-on-one, positive attention from a responsible, caring adult.

Celebrate Recovery is a Christcentered, 12-step recovery program based on the teaching of Jesus Christ

Teams from MCRC and around Michigan travel to Los Alcarrizos, Dominican Republic to help a community in need.

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEW

| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Celebrating 50 years of service through the church’s pastors THE REV. RALPH H. PRONK

ture of the Classis. Stralow left MCRC to pastor the First Reformed Church of Ravenna for the next seven years. He then moved to Lucas, Michigan joining the Rehoboth Reformed Church congregation and remained in Lucas for another seven years before moving to Forreston, Illinois. On Aug. 31, 2009, he officially retired after 27 years in Forreston and now lives just north to Freeport, Illinois. He has three children, David, Dan and Deb and six grandchildren.

The Rev. Ralph H. Pronkwas MCRC’s first pastor. He was born in Wilmont, Minnesota on Nov. 4, 1895. After graduating from Grundy College in 1924, he went on to the University of Dubuque in Iowa for his master’s degree. He completed his studies at western theological seminary in Holland, Michigan in 1957. His pastorates included churches in Iowa, Colorado and Michigan.

Pronk and his wife moved to Florida in 1973 where he served a reformed church but later returning to Mason County to serve MCRC as a part-time visitation pastor.

Pronk and his wife are deceased.

THE REV. HARVEY HENEVELD

THE PASTOR’S MESSAGE FROM PRONK (1969) This dedication is a milestone in the life and history of a new congregation, serving not only the people of this community, but also the tourists who visit the parks in Northern Michigan. This edifice is unique in that it serves this twofold objective.

Less than a year ago, a sanctuary was only a dream. Now we are not only organized but the dream came true also. We pause to pay tribute to all those who

have contributed so liberally and sacrificially of their time, talents and resources. We are most grateful for the fine spirit of cooperation and unity which prevailed during the construction of this building. We have witnessed this venture of faith, begun by only a few individuals and have seen it come to reality. We are deeply indebted to the Classis of Muskegon, to the

Extension Committee and to the denomination board for their much needed assistance. We wish to thank individuals and church organizations who have made contributions for this worthy project. We express our sincerest appreciation to the Rev. James Schut for his helpful suggestions, to David Karsten for his good workmanship as contractor, and to Rich-

ard Postema for his unique and skillful design as architect of this beautiful building. We acknowledge the careful supervision of the building committee and all other committees pertaining thereto. Many people come here to see this beautiful structure and attend the worship services. However, we must refrain from pride, for this is none other than the House of God, the

very gate to heaven. Let us therefore thank the Lord of the wonders for His grace and praise His most holy name.

THE REV. JAMES STRALOW He was student in 1967.

Stralow was at MCRC as an extension of the Muskegon Classic. He did a study of the area and its probability for starting a church and did an analysis of fu-

Heneveld was born in Holland, Michigan on Oct. 7, 1945. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in 1969 from Hope College, attended the Near East School of Theology and earned his master of Divinity degree in 1973 from Western Theological Seminary. The Rev. Heneveld was called as a student to Mason County Reformed Church in 1973, serving MCRC for four-and-a-half years.

He and his wife, Elaine, left for Canton, Michigan in January of 1978 to begin a new RCA church, serving that congregation for 19 years.

SEE PASTORS, A9

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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PASTORS: Throughout MCRC’s, church leaders have been community fixtures Tennessee to begin a new church, The Church of the Good Shepherd. In 1993, the Rev. Klunder accepted a call to Hopkins Reformed Church, Hopkins, Michigan and in 2002 became the senior pastor at New Life Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan until the present time. The Klunders have four children who are all Hope College graduates who have married Hope College graduates: Jennifer of Fremont, Michigan, Kristin of Sioux Center, Iowa, Jack of McBain, Michigan and Bethany of Alaska. They also have three grandchildren, two boys and a girl.

FROM PAGE A8

At that time, they went to Olivet Reformed Church in Grandville, Michigan, serving as the lead pastor there for 11 years. In December of 2007, the Rev. Heneveld officially retired and is now a parttime calling pastor at Fair Haven Ministries Church in Jenison, Michigan. The Henevelds have three children, David, Rebecca “Becky,” and Elizabeth “Beth,” and seven grandchildren.

THE REV. RICHARD BORST The Rev. Richard Borst was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on June 4, 1949. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Hope College in 1970 and Master’s of Divinity in 1974 from Western Theological Seminary. After serving as an associate pastor at Peace Reformed in Middleville, Michigan, he and wife Debbie came to Scottville in 1978. They served MCRC until 1981, at which time he accepted a call to the Oakview Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.

They were at Oakview Reformed Church until 1989 and the Rev. Borst was the se-

THE REV. ADRIAN NEWHOUSE nior pastor at First Reformed in Zeeland, Michigan until 1990. He also served as interim pastor at the Church of the Living Christ in Fremont and Gun Lake Community Church until 1992. They later learned that the Rev. Borst had a rare degenerative brain disease which was terminal and he was called home on January 17, 2003. They have to children, Joshua (Ashley) and Kristin, and a five-year-

old grandson, Aiden Richard Borst.

ster Seminary, New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1984.

Prior to coming to ScottTHE REV. DR. JACK KLUNDER ville, he and his wife Mary The Rev. Dr. Jack Klunder had served congregations was born in Grand Rapids, in Illinois and New Jersey.

Michigan in 1952, earning They arrived in Scottville his bachelor of arts degree on January 1, 1982. It was from Hope College in 1974 a terrible winter that year and his master of divinity and for the first four weeks degree from Western Mich- of his pastorate, the church igan Theology in 1977. He service was canceled due to received his doctorate in inclement weather. In 1987, theology from Westmin- they moved to Franklin,

The Rev. Adrian Newhouse, after retiring from the ministry, served as our interim pastor during 1987 after the Rev. Klunder left and prior to the Rev. Van Haistma coming to MCRC. He and his wife Ella (deceased) came to MCRC from Grant Reformed Church.

They had a cottage on Big Star Lake which certainly made it quite convenient. He now lives in Newaygo with his daughter Marsha.

THE REV. RICK VAN HAITSMA In Ludington Daily News article published in 2013, Tom Posma Jr. said VanHaitsma had been pastor of the church for 26 years and said his death has an impact on not only the congregation, but also the whole community.

“He’s touched the lives of many people in our church and the community as a whole,” Posma said.

“He will be sorely missed.”

Posma said VanHaitsma loved sports, especially baseball, and attended many local high school athletic events.

He also said members of the congregation are praying for VanHaitsma’s family.

“We absolutely loved him and adored him and there is a big void right now for our church and community,” Posma said. “He was a man of God and I’ve never met a man of such high integrity, grace and love in my whole life.

“We’ll move on but he’s going to be sorely missed and never, never forgotten.”

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS

| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

THE LEADERS OF TODAY’S MCRC

Meet Youth Pastor Seth Bush ‘In March of 2011, Heather and I were looking at what was next for us with her graduating from Greenville College and my position coming to a close at the church I was serving at. We were “sure” we were headed to Colorado (because who doesn’t want mountains in their backyard), but the well dried up quickly after some great chats. Enter the Mason County Reformed Church’s Youth Ministry Search Team and after a Google search to figure out where Scottville was, several conversations with the Search Team, and a trip to the area, we were finished and couldn’t wait to arrive Memorial Day weekend to get started at MCRC.’

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

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Administrative Assistant Ashley Ruhlig

Children’s Ministry Director Chris Duran

‘I was hired at MCRC in September of 2009 and I have learned so much about myself and what God does to move ministry. I grew up in Scottville, but worked many summers in ministry at Portage Lake Bible Camp in Onekama doing many things, from kitchen work, to counseling, to working high ropes adventures with families and students. Ministering became a passion there, and is carried on at MCRC.’

‘My adventures here at MCRC actually started before I was born. I arrived just before the original building was finished. So, you can say I’ve been a member of MCRC my whole life! I was actually hired on as staff in September of 2012 and have loved my role here ever since. I feel hugely blessed by working with the kids, parents, volunteer crew and staff.’

CONGRATULATIONS s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C ed Church

m r o f e R y t n u Mason Co nter e C y r t s i n i Childrens M g letin p m o c f o t r a pa Proud to be ility! c a f e l i h w h t such a wor

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We’re honored to be a part of your new Childrens Ministry Center.

Wishing you much success as you serve the youth of the community.

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(231) 773-0

400 32nd St. SE | Wyoming | 616.243.7222

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS

| FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Sunday Service Schedule 9:30 am & 11:00 am

Christmas Service Schedule Sunday, Dec. 4 11:00 am Childrens Program

We Welcome You To Join Us

Saturday, Dec. 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service

The love we have is Gods gift to us...pass it on

Sunday, Dec. 25 10:00 am Childrens Service

U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer

N. Amber Rd.

Vanderhaag Car Sales Smalley Construction

231.757.2088

mcrc@mcrchurch.org

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S. Amber Rd.

45 S. Amber • Scottville, MI

Mt. Vernon Dr.

31 Cottage Works

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MASON COUNTY REFORMED CHURCH