Part 1: May 20, 2026On behalf of the convening Church, Rev. John VanWoudenberg opened the meeting of the delegates with some words of welcome. He read from Matthew 8:28-34, spoke some words about this passage in connection with the Ascension of our Lord, and then led in prayer. Among matters mentioned in prayer, he gave thanks that Hamilton-Cornerstone was instituted 75 years ago. After the credentials were found to be in good order, classis was declared constituted with Rev. Steve VanLeeuwen serving as chair, Rev. John VanWoudenberg as vice, and Rev. Arjen Vreugdenhil as clerk.
Classis examined brs. Albert Bijker, John Moesker, and Aaron Westrik, each having completed the second year at the seminary. With gratitude classis granted each permission to speak an edifying Word in the Churches for a period of 36 months.
Each church indicated that the ministry of the office-bearers is being maintained and that the decisions of the major assemblies are being honoured. Classis gave concurring advice to a church requesting this in a situation of discipline.
Classis gave a 12-month extension to br. Hongdi Chen's permission to speak an edifying word in the Churches as he continues as a student at the seminary, and the same to br. Raoul Kingma and br. Adam Werkman, graduates of CRTS who each are pursing doctoral studies with a view to thereafter entering the ministry.
Brother Arco Klapwijk, a seminary student who completed two years of study at CRTS, sent a letter to classis attesting that he had been examined at a classis in our sister churches in South Africa to speak an edifying Word in that federation. Classis accepted this as sufficient to give him permission to speak an edifying Word in the Canadian Reformed churches for 36 months.
Upon recommendation from the classical inter-church relations committee, Classis amended the regulations to ensure that each classis would decide whether the Acts or a portion thereof could be sent out to neighbouring classes and presbyteries of other federations with which we have Ecclesiastical Fellowship.
Classis received letters of greetings from the Canadian Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Covenant East Classis of the Reformed Church of the United States, the Heritage Reformed Congregation of Burgessville, Classis South-Western Ontario of the United Reformed Churches of North America, and Classis Michigan of the United Reformed Churches of North America.
Classis adopted procedures for how to deal with requests for concurring advice for pulpit fellowship with Churches with which we do not have Ecclesiastical Fellowship, and for how to keep the General Synod Committee for Ecumenical Relations abreast with ecumenical contacts of Classis Ontario West.
Having received a report from the ad hoc committee appointed by a previous classis re. financial support for the Church of Grand Rapids, Classis decided to dissolve the ad hoc committee, to not pursue the mandate given to this committee, and to request the Church for administering the fund for Needy Churches (Ancaster) to propose an expansion of its mandate to include the matter of inquiring about financial sustainability of needy churches.
Part 2: June 3-4, 2026
On June 3-4, 2026, Classis examined brs. Jonatan Boon, Hongdi Chen, Klaas Cho, Jarrell Lemos, and Marco VanRenssen, each having completed their studies at CRTS and each desiring to be declared eligible for call. With gratitude classis declared each eligible for call for a period of 36 months after each promised not to teach or promote anything in conflict with the doctrine of the Word of God, as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity.
Rev. Henry Bartsch, a fraternal delegate from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches in Canada, and Rev. Jeremy Veldman, a fraternal delegate from Classis South-western Ontario of the United Reformed Churches of North America, each conveyed words of greeting and encouragement.
Classis appointed br. Frank Oosdyk as the convener for the recently established Committee for Appeals. To address evident misconceptions about the role of this recently established committee and about the process to be followed in submitting an appeal, classis decided, via its press release, to
- point to the section of its regulations called "A Committee for Appeals;"
- highlight that the task of the Committee is not to compose appeals but to review submitted appeals prior to the classis and thus "to ensure that all relevant materials are available for classis."
Classis received with gratitude numerous Church Visitation reports, a classis fund financial report (and audit), and an inspection report regarding the classis archives.
Classis made the following appointments:
Date of next classis: September 16, 2026
Convening Church for next classis: Grand Rapids (which will likely convene this in Kerwood-Grace)
Treasurer: Brian Vanderhout
Church to audit the books of the treasurer: Hamilton-Cornerstone
Church for taking care of the archives: London-Pilgrim
Church to inspect the archives: Kerwood-Grace
Church Visitors: Rev. Peter Holtvluwer, Rev. Ken Kok (convener), Rev. Jeff Temple, Rev. Steve VanLeeuwen, Rev. John VanWoudenberg, Rev. Arjen Vreugdenhil
Committee of examiners: Rev. Peter Holtvluwer, Rev. Ken Kok (convener), Rev. John VanWoudenberg
Church to administer the fund for needy Churches: Ancaster
Church to audit the fund for needy churches: Hamilton-Providence
Classis also decided to put in its press release the following who had been appointed by previous classes:
Committee of Appeals: Mr. Ben Faber, Mr. Frank Oostdyk (convener), Mr. Hans VanDooren; alts in order: Mr. Theo Beijes; Mr. Ben Harsevoort; Mr. Byan Stieva (terms to be determined)
Committee for inter-church relations: Mr. Jim Janssens (2024-2027); Mr. Peter Engbers (2025-2028), Mr. Ben Harsevoort (2026-2029)
After adoption of the Acts, approval of the press release and final devotions, classis was closed.
Rev. John VanWoudenberg
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