August 21-25, 1978
What is the reason we travel hundreds of miles to attend a Protestant Reformed Young Peoples’ Convention? Why do we assemble together? What is the purpose behind such an activity? What profit is there in it?
As young people we need friends and we thrive on a good time. But, as Christian young people, we desire Godly friends and a good time that is pleasing to our Lord. Often we are tempted to forget that we are different from the young people of the world, and we go along with what is promoted as a “good time”. Many times the reason we do this is because we don’t want to be different from the world. We want to be acceptable in the eyes of the world. By assembling with Godly friends, we are more inclined to have a good time that is also pleasing to God and acceptable in His sight, leaving the world and her opinion behind.
At a convention, our Young People can (and do) have a good time. Most of those that attend come because they know that their spirit will be refreshed by attending. They know that the mass meetings and Bible discussions will serve to help them grow spiritually; and that through the healthful recreational activities that they participate in, they will be brought closer to the other young people of our denomination as well! They go because they are looking for a truly good time!
Why do we assemble together? What profit is there in it? Why should you be planning to come to the 1978 P.R.Y.P. Convention?
The basic and most important purpose behind our conventions is to help us serve God. We come together to learn more about Him, to sing His praises and to strengthen the bond which we have with fellow members of His church as manifested in our fellowship of churches.
A few of the plans for this year’s convention are definite enough so that we are now able to inform you of them. Our speakers for our Mass Meetings each have accepted our invitation to come and speak for us on our theme: “REMEMBER THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH!” Rev. Jason L. Kortering (minister of our Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California) will be addressing us on our theme from the aspect of our calling to “Remember Thy Creator in the Home.” Rev. Herman Veldman (Southwest P. R. Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan) will speak to us on his topic “Remember Thy Creator in the Church.” “Remember Thy Creator in Society,” will be the subject of our third speaker, Rev. Arie den Hartog (from Covenant P. R. Church, Prospect Park, New Jersey).
Our convention setting should prove to be interesting and enjoyable. The first part of the week we have decided to return to the “old-fashioned” style of past conventions! You’ve heard about those conventions where the conventioneers were able to meet and get to know some of the people of the congregation and how enjoyable that was?! Well, it was about six years ago since we’ve experienced that, and so we will be lodging in the homes of the members of our congregation! The fellowship and closeness which we have found rewarding at past conventions will not be lost however, because the last part of our convention week will be spent in Southern Wisconsin at Lake Geneva Youth Camp which (as its name tells you) is a camp on beautiful Lake Geneva!
As hosts of this summer’s convention, we urge you to make every effort to attend! We are busy planning, and we want you to begin making plans now so that you are sure to come! Also, we ask you to pray that our convention will serve the purpose of edifying us as Protestant Reformed Young People as we come together to “Remember our Creator.’’