Welcome to another issue of the Beacon Lights! It is with regret that the staff, and especially I, say that Daniel and Sharon Kleyn have resigned. Daniel’s work in the seminary, and their work with the Reformed Free Publishing Association made it impossible for them to continue working for the Beacon Lights. Their hard work, guidance, and dedication will be missed.

There are many inspiring and thought-provoking articles this month. Steve Spencer wrote the editorial for this month, giving me a break for which I am most thankful. The second half of Calvin Kalsbeek’s speech from the 1995 Young People’s Convention is included this month, so if you started to read his speech last month, I would encourage you to continue reading it. We also have the first part of Pastor Mahtani’s convention speech. Whether or not you heard the speech, I would recommend that you read it.

I received a most moving article written by a saint from Singapore. Tam Boon Hwee fought a long and brave fight against cancer, but the Lord took her home two months ago, leaving her husband and four children. We would do well to remember this family in our thoughts and prayers.

Both John Huizenga and Tom Bergman begin a new series of articles this month. John’s rubric deals with science and scripture. This relationship has been quite controversial in the past, and many Christians have become disillusioned by the “authority” of scientists. John’s series is designed to show how science is to be viewed from a Christian perspective. Tom Bergman’s rubric is an acrostic of CHURCH FAMILY. He included his first article this month, which is “The Christian’s Tour of Duty.” Reverend Hanko also included an article this month which is to be the first article of a few articles. He takes the setting of his theme from an Old Testament story. That is all I’ll tell you. You will have to read the article to discover the rest!

Pastor Bruinsma submitted an article for Mike Feenstra’s Dating and Marriage rubric. Pastor Bruinsma first used this as a speech at Hope College for a conference about that subject. We also have a speech by Pastor Gritters, and that will be included in an upcoming edition.

We have a Christmas story by Mr. J.P. de Klerk from New Zealand. It is an interesting story, and appropriate for this time of the year. Barb Dykstra included a book review on Gertrude Hoeksma’s book The Farbers, and there is also an order blank on the last page for this book. We must not forget, of course, Connie Meyer’s “Little Lights.”

I would like to clear up one thing about my editorial in October. I stated that I think it would be good to have a denomination-wide family conference. I think that this should be a conference separate from those which already exist, i.e., the Young People’s Convention and the Young Adult’s Convention held in Loveland, Colorado. Both of these are a valuable asset to our denomination, and I do not wish to downplay their contributions. May God be with you in the coming month.