On behalf of the convening church of Attercliffe, Rev. Rodney Vermeulen opened the meeting of the delegates in a Christian manner. In prayer he remembered several items, including the vacancies in Dunnville West, Lincoln, and Smithville, the call from Dunnville West to Candidate Josh Peters, the current service of Rev. Dick Wynia in the FRCA of Albany, the health circumstances of Rev. Garrelt Wieske, and the ongoing work of CRTS.
Upon the constitution of classis, the delegates appointed Rev. John Louwerse as chairman, Rev. Ryan Kampen as vice-chairman, and Rev. Rolf den Hollander as clerk.
Welcomed and seated as regional synod deputies were Rev. Clarence Vandervelde and Rev. John VanWoudenberg.
After the adoption of the agenda, the chairman then asked each of the churches the questions from Article 44 of the Church Order, with each of the churches answering in turn. Advice was requested by one church and given by classis.
After ensuring that the proper documentation had been submitted, classis then proceeded to the peremptory examination of Candidate Zachary Vanderploeg, called by the church of Dunnville East. Br. Vanderploeg presented his sermon on Matthew 8:5–13, which classis in closed session judged sufficient to continue with the examination. Br. Vanderploeg was then examined in the categories of Old and New Testament Exegesis, Doctrine and Creeds, Knowledge of Scripture, Church History, Ethics, Pastoral Ministry, and Church Polity. With great joy and thankfulness, classis judged that br. Vanderploeg had sustained his peremptory examination.
The chairman then communicated the result of the examination to br. Vanderploeg and wished him the blessing of the Lord as he enters the ministry of the Word and sacraments. Rev. Kampen led in a prayer of thanksgiving, and then classis was given an opportunity to congratulate br. Vanderploeg. Classis then approbated the call. The church of Dunnville West was appointed to represent classis at br. Vanderploeg’s ordination.
Classis appointed the church of Dunnville East as the convening church for the next classis, to be held on December 11, 2024, with March 19, 2025 as alternate. Suggestions for officers for the next classis were also made.
Personal question period was made use of. The chairman judged with thankfulness that censure ad Article 34 of the Church Order was unnecessary. The Acts were read and adopted. The press release was read and approved, after which the chairman asked the delegates to sing, led in a prayer of thanksgiving, and then closed the meeting.
Rev. R.J. Kampen
vice-chairman at that time