On behalf of the convening church, Willoughby Heights, Rev. Karlo Janssen opened the meeting in a Christian manner. John 17:20-26 was read. The assembly sang Hymn 72. Rev. Janssen led in prayer. In the prayer the following matters were remembered: the ordination of Rev. Taylor Bredenhof in Surrey-Maranatha, the decline of the call extended by Cloverdale to (then) Cand. Josh Peters, the sudden passing away of Rev. Rick Vanderhorst’s father, the emeritus pastor (Rev. Jack Visscher), and the CRTS community.
The delegates of the convening church of the previous classis, Surrey-Maranatha examined the credentials and reported that all churches were properly represented at classis. Due to personal circumstances, Rev. Rick Vanderhorst could not be present as delegate.
As per the suggestion of the previous classis, Rev. Karlo Janssen was appointed vice-chairman, and Rev. Han Lee as clerk. Given the absence of a minister from Smithers, Rev. Doug Vandeburgt was appointed chairman.
The agenda for the meeting was adopted. As new minister in the classis, Rev. Taylor Bredenhof signed the form for subscription.
Br. Tony Zheng’s request to be declared eligible for call within the Canadian Reformed Churches was the next item of business. Br. Zheng presented his sermon proposal, which classis deemed sufficient for the exam to continue. Br. Zheng was examined in the areas of Old Testament, New Testament, and Doctrine and Creeds and was asked to present his motivation for seeking the ministry. Classis deemed his responses sufficient and decided to declare br. Tony Zheng eligible for call within the Canadian Reformed Churches for the period of one year (with the possibility of extension). Br. Zheng promised not to teach anything which is not in accordance with Scripture as summarized in the Reformed Confession and was given a Certificate of Candidacy. The assembly sang the doxology and the chairman led in thanksgiving and prayer.
Due note was taken of various pieces of incoming correspondence: 3 reports, 1 proposal, and 1 submission re the proposal.
Surrey-Maranatha proposed some revisions to the CPW regulations for peremptory examinations. Following discussion and some amendments, the proposal was adopted. The report of the treasurer was received, as well as the report from Cloverdale re review of the classis books. Gratitude was expressed for the treasurer’s work and he was discharged with respect to 2024. Houston reported on the state of the classis archives, all was found in order.
The chairman asked whether the ministry of the office–bearers is being continued, whether the decisions of the major assemblies are being honoured, and whether there was any matter in which the consistories need the judgment and help of classis for the proper government of their church. All churches responded with “yes, yes, no”.
Opportunity was given to the churches to apprise each other of their mission activities, both local and foreign. From these reports it was decided to share the following via the Press Release. Langley-Refuge will be hiring Elder Babar Masih, who served as an ordained Reformed pastor in Pakistan, as mission worker for local outreach to the South Asian community in the BC Lower Mainland. Oversight of the work will be exercised by the Langley-Refuge Council through the Panah Mission Board, the latter would, the Lord wiling, eventually transition into a church council. A translation project has been started of the Book of Praise into Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.
The following appointments were made by classis:
- Convening of next classis: by Cloverdale, on Thursday June 26, 2025 (if cancelled: October 2, 2025), at 9:00am. It was noted that, should a peremptory exam be necessary, Cloverdale can, in consultation with the neighbouring church, change the date to suit the circumstances.
- Suggested officers for the next classis: Chair: provided by Willoughby Heights, Vice-chair: provided by Houston, Clerk: provided by Langley.
- Committee for Examinations: Coordinators: Rev. H. Alkema and Rev. K. Janssen.
- Church visitors: Convenor: Rev. D. Vandeburgt.
- Archiving Church: Smithers.
- Inspection of Archives: Houston.
- Treasurer: Br. J. Kuik of Cloverdale (jkuik@shaw.ca).
- Review of Classis Finances: Cloverdale.
- Committee for Financial Aid to Needy Churches: convenor: Br. H. Leyenhorst.
- Deputy for preaching arrangements for vacant churches: Rev. R. Visscher.
- Deputy for Coordinating Ecclesiastical Contacts: Rev. A. Plug.
- Counsellors: Rev. D. Vandeburgt for Cloverdale.
Opportunity was given for personal questions. Censure as per CO article 34 was not deemed necessary. The acts will be adopted by the executive. The press release of classis was read and approved. The chairman closed classis in a Christian manner, remembering the needs of the churches within classis, of the federation, and the needs of the world in his prayer. Following prayer, the assembly sang Psalm 133 and classis was declared closed.
Rev. K. Janssen
Vice-chair of CPW April 2025.