On behalf of the convening church, Langley CanRC, Rev. A. Plug opened the meeting in a
Christian manner. Psalm 19 was read, after which the assembly sang Psalm 19:1. Rev. Plug led in prayer. The following memorabilia was noted: Pastor Doug VandeBurgt suffered a stroke a number of months ago. We are thankful for the healing and progress that has been made. Rev. James Visscher, emeritus minister of Langley was remembered. Pastor Babar, mission worker among south Asian community in Langley and surrounding area had an angiogram this past week and is scheduled for open heart surgery. The work of the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary was also remembered.
The delegates of the convening church of the previous classis, examined the credentials and reported that all churches were properly represented at classis.
As per the suggestion of the previous classis, Rev. R. Visscher was appointed chairman, Rev. R. Vanderhorst as vice-chairman, and Rev. T. Bredenhof as clerk.
Classis was declared constituted.
The agenda for the meeting was adopted.
A proposal was received from the Surrey Maranatha Canadian Reformed Church to receive concurring advice of Classis Pacific West to establish pulpit fellowship with the local churches of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada (RPCC) in our region. These include the following churches: Vancouver Reformed Presbyterian Church (Rev. David Matthess), West Vancouver RP Mission Church (Rev. James Zhou), and Nissi RP Mission Church (Kevin Jia), which currently meets in the Maranatha church building. After some discussion, the proposal was retracted by Surrey Maranatha. An amended proposal may be brought to a future classis.
The report of the treasurer was received, as well as the report from Cloverdale regarding the review of the classis books. Gratitude was expressed for the treasurer’s work, and he was discharged with respect to 2025.
The church of Houston reported on the state of the classis archives; all was found in order.
The church of Smithers requested advice about moving the archives to a purely digital format. Feedback was given.
Candidate Tony Zheng requested classis to extend his candidacy to allow him to continue to speak an edifying word for another year. Classis granted his request.
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. Various churches shared reports about new members joining their churches, refugee families being sponsored, outreach efforts done locally through various programs such as Bible studies, Vacation Bible School, and the like. Various reports were also shared about mission work being done overseas in places like Asia and on our continent in places such as Mexico.
The following appointments were made by classis:
Convening of next classis: by Langley Refuge, on Thursday June 25, 2026 (if cancelled: September 24, 2026), at 9:00am.
Suggested officers for the next classis: Chair: provided by Smithers, Vice-chair: provided
by Surrey Maranatha, Clerk: provided by Willoughby Heights
Committee for Examinations: Coordinators: Rev. H. Alkema and Rev. K. Janssen.
Church visitors: Convenor: Rev. K. Janssen . The church of Langley requested Rev. D. VandeBurgt be relieved of his duties as convenor of church visitations and to be relieved of all church visitation duties for the next year because of his recent stroke. This request was granted. Classis appointed Rev. H. Lee as a church visitor
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, Br. J. Lengkeek, Br. G. Vanderwoerd
Deputy for preaching arrangements for vacant churches: Rev. R. Visscher.
Deputy for Coordinating Ecclesiastical Contacts: Rev. A. Plug.
Counsellors: There are currently no vacant churches in CPW
Opportunity was given for personal questions. Censure as per CO article 34 was not deemed necessary.
The acts were adopted. 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 Hymn 8 and classis was declared closed.
Rev. Rick Vanderhorst
Vice-chair of CPW April 23, 2026.