On behalf of the convening church, Rev. James Slaa welcomes all the delegates. He reads Ephesians 2:11-22 and invites all present to sing Hymn 52:1, 2. The following memorabilia were noted: a) Retired pastors: the life circumstances and continuing service of Rev. and sr. John and Agnes Van Rietschoten, and Dr. and sr. Andrew and Inge Pol; b) Rev. Dathan Pleiter and his wife Katrina of Elm Creek as they continue to grieve the loss of their son Asher in October of last year; c) Rev. James Slaa and his wife Miriam of Carman West with the sudden passing of Miriam’s father Rev. W. denHollander in January; d) the church at Winnipeg Grace continues in its vacancy; e) Candidate Todd Linde, who is working in the Grace church for several weeks; f) Rev. Adrian Tams was ordained as missionary of the church plant at Ambassador Niverville in November. Rev. Slaa leads in prayer.
The credentials are examined and found to be in order. Classis is declared constituted and the officers suggested by the last classis take their place. Rev. Dathan Pleiter is the chairman, Rev. James Slaa clerk and Rev. Carl Van Dam vice-chairman. The agenda was adopted.
Rev. Adrian Tams, missionary in Niverville, signs the form of subscription and is seated as an advisor at Classis.
The following fraternal delegates are welcomed and seated at Classis: Rev. Richard Anjema of the Providence United Reformed Church in Winnipeg, Rev. Christopher Drew of the Grand Forks Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Rev. Kevin Pulliam of the Christ Reformed Church of the Reformed Church of the United States of Minot, North Dakota. Candidate Todd Linde was also welcomed.
The Classis treasurer report is received with thankfulness. The church at Carman West has inspected the books of the treasurer and found them to be in good order. The church of Winnipeg Redeemer reports that the archives were inspected and found in good order. The report for the deputies for contact with provincial government is received with thankfulness.
In closed session, the church visitation reports for the churches of Carman East, Carman West and Elm Creek are received with gratitude. After each report, the church was remembered in prayer. The church visitations to Winnipeg Grace and Winnipeg Redeemer were postponed to April due to inclement weather.
The chairman asks the questions re Article 44 of the Church Order. One church asks advice regarding matters of pastoral oversight. In closed session, advice is given.
Rev. Kevin Pulliam of Christ Reformed Church of Minot, ND speaks words of greetings to Classis. He shared some of the recent developments in the Northern Plain Classis. Plans are being made to ordain a missionary and associate pastor to serve in the classis. The classis is active in reaching out to churches and pastors of other denominations in the area which are not content to remain in their churches because of the unfaithful direction of their churches.
Rev. Christopher Drew of Grand Forks OPC speaks words of greetings from the OPC Presbytery of the Dakotas to Classis. He requested our prayers for the Presbytery since there was the possibility of losing a congregation due to unfortunate difficulties in the past. There is also a real need for more men to come forward to serve as new pastors and teachers, as well as in mission, since there are quite a few retirements.
A letter of greetings is received from Rev. Greg Lubbers of the URCNA Classis Central U.S. and read to Classis.
Rev. Richard Anjema of the Providence United Reformed Church in Winnipeg speaks words of greetings to Classis. Recently their church hosted a forum for church leaders on Bill C-9. It was encouraging to see this event on this important topic well attended.
Rev. Dathan Pleiter brings these churches before the Lord in prayer.
The convening church for the next classis is Elm Creek and the date is set for June 26, 2026 with an alternate date of September 25, 2026. The suggested officers for the next Classis are: Rev. Joe Poppe as chairman, Rev. Dathan Pleiter, vice-chairman, and Rev. Carl Van Dam, clerk.
The chairman notes with thankfulness that nothing censurable was said or done during the meeting. The Acts of Classis are presented and adopted. The press release is presented and approved. Rev. James Slaa closes the meeting with prayer.
For Classis,
Rev. Carl Van Dam, vice-chairman at that time