wfn.org | CRC Synod Approves 31 Candidates for Ministry

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Grand Rapids, Mich., June 15, 2004 - Delegates to Synod 2004 voted this
morning to approve 31 graduates of Calvin Theological Seminary as candidates
to be ministers of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church.  Five of the
candidates are women.

Delegates voted on the candidates individually.  After all 31 graduates had
been approved, delegates gave the candidates a standing ovation. The
candidates are now eligible for call by a congregation.

Dr. Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., the president of Calvin Seminary, addressed
synod and the candidates saying, "We at the seminary are very proud of these
fine people.  They have heard God's call and have responded."

Synod president Joel Boot challenged the candidates by saying, "In a broken
and troubled world that is being made new, you have the awesome
responsibility
of being part of God's re-creation of it."  He also encouraged them with
passages from Psalm 118.

Synod also voted this morning to approve various faculty re-appointments at
Calvin College, and to declare June 27 to July 4, 2004 as a week of prayer
for
peace.	Last night, delegates interviewed and approve Dr. John Witvliet and
Dr. John Rottman to professor positions at Calvin Seminary.