Spring is here with summer quickly trailing behind! For some young people the reality of graduation is starting to set in while others anticipate the simple words “school’s out!” With summer getting closer and closer that also means that this year’s convention is right around the corner.
At convention each year a delegates meeting is held with two representatives from each church’s Young People’s Society who gather to vote for new officers to be part of the Board of the Federation of the Protestant Reformed Young Peoples Societies (Fed Board). These officers were nominated by the Fed Board in January and those elected will take up their position beginning in September.
The Fed Board meets every first Sunday of the month, meaning that it is necessary that all its members be from the West Michigan churches. This unfortunately means that many of the young people from the West do not know these nominees. For this reason, the Fed Board would like to take this opportunity to introduce the nominees to all the societies.
The nominees for the office of Vice President are Brian Feenstra and Nate Bodbyl. Brian is twenty years old and attends Trinity PRC. He is currently a student at Grand Valley State University and also works on a blueberry farm during the summer. Brian’s goals for the Fed Board are to serve the young people of the church. As the next generation of the PRC, it is important to him that the young people are instructed and raised in Reformed teaching, especially in a way that is applied to the contemporary world. It is important to him that the young people, through the direction of the Fed Board and individual Young People’s Societies, are able to see today’s society through the eyes of Scripture. In effect, the ultimate goal is to grow the health of each young person in our churches.
At age 23 Nate Bodbyl is a member of Grandville PRC and currently works as a sales development representative at UTS. His goals for the Fed Board are to encourage the Young People in their spiritual growth and involvement in church activities, as well as continue providing edifying reading material through the Beacon Lights.
The nominees for Vice Treasurer this year are David Noorman and Jared Bosveld. David is twenty years old and attends Faith PRC. David is currently a full time student at Calvin College. His goals for the Fed Board are to increase young people’s awareness of the Fed Board and its activities. He would also like to encourage the young people to take advantage of the Beacon Lights, by either reading or writing for the magazine.
Jared Bosveld is nineteen and attends Hope PRC. He currently is a student at Grand Rapids Community College pursuing construction management. His goals for the Fed Board are to encourage the young people to be aware of their responsibilities in the church, especially in the wickedness and temptation of today.
The two nominees for Vice Secretary this year are Kylie Mulder and Monica Koole. Kylie is eighteen years old and attends Faith PRC. She is currently a full time student at Grand Valley State University and also works part time as a receptionist at River Town Honda. Her goals for the Fed Board are to help young people realize the vital role they carry in the church as our future leaders, and encourage them to attend society and conventions.
Monica Koole is twenty years old and attends Hope PRC. She works as a secretary at Kleyn Electric. Monica’s goal for the Fed Board is to continue to benefit the young people, encouraging them to live as Christians in this world which is corrupted by sin.
The two nominees for Librarian are Erika Schipper and Rachel Kamps. Erika Schipper is nineteen years old and is a member of Southwest PRC. She is currently a student at Davenport University and will be graduating soon with a degree in Medical Assisting. Her goal for the Fed Board is to assist in the work of helping the young people of our churches grow in their spiritual lives. This work is very important in our day and age because our young people face many temptations in a world that is increasing in its wickedness.
Rachel Kamps is eighteen and attends Southwest PRC. She is a student at Kendall College of Art and Design and also works as an office assistant at Wonderland Tire Co. Rachel’s goal for the Fed Board is to serve the young people by helping organize conventions and singspirations.
The two nominees for Spiritual Advisor this year are Rev. Haak and Rev. Holstege. Rev. Haak is currently the pastor at Georgetown PRC and Rev. Holstege is the pastor of First Church of Holland.
We, as members of the Fed Board, feel as though all these nominees are able to carry out their work with the Protestant Reformed Churches and our Young People’s Societies. We ask that each of our young people prayerfully consider each nominee for their specific office on the Federation Board.