The 2026 South Central Classis meeting began on Monday, March 23, at the base of beautiful Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at Trinity Covenant Reformed Church. Prior to the official start, President Matthew Powell led a group of ministers and elders through a discussion on shepherding the flock of God. Many edifying and helpful points were discussed.
President Powell then commenced the official business at 5:00 pm with Rev. Steve Carr providing the opening prayer. Rev. Matthew Powell was again elected president, Rev. Randall Klynsma was reelected as vice-president, and Rev. Chris Bradley was reelected as stated clerk. Having recently become the pastor of St. John’s Reformed Church in Lincoln, NE, and thereby moving into the South Central Classis, Rev. Carr was welcomed and extended the right hand of fellowship.
At 6:00 pm, a delicious dinner was provided by the host church, after which the fraternal delegates, along with those from Trinity Covenant Reformed Church, gathered for a worship service led by Rev. Bradley. The sermon was given by Rev. Martin Dewitt on Ephesians 2:4-7 titled, “But God Made Us Alive.” Business was called back to order at 8:45 pm. The delegates heard Rev. Powell’s Annual President’s Report and then finished the day with the completion of a few business items.
Business resumed at 8:00 am on Tuesday, March 24, with a devotion given by Mr. Dave Johnson on Isaiah 40:1-8. Rev. Doug Schlegel, who is now serving the body of Christ as a professor at Heidelberg Theological Seminary in Sioux Falls, was received into the South Central Classis from the Western Classis. Rev. Kyle Sorensen, who is now serving as a hospice chaplain with Avera Home Hospice in Sioux Falls, was also received into our Classis from the Eastern Classis.
Mid-morning saw the ordination exam for Licentiate Joshua Savage, followed by the licentiate exam for Mr. Dave Johnson. At the conclusion of these exams (and lunch), the delegates began the blessed privilege of hearing how God is working in and through the labors of their ministers with the giving of the parochial reports. We are thankful for the various ways in which God continues to bless our churches through trials and blessings, and we continue to pray for one another as a classis.
Of note, after serving as a faithful minister for over 35 years, Rev. Harvey Opp announced that he will soon be retiring from full-time ministry. We pray that God will richly bless him and Carol as they anticipate buying a home and moving to Sioux Falls. We pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ at Providence RCUS in Vermillion who will, no doubt, miss Rev. Opp’s ministry there.
The body moved into executive session with Classis approving the Candidates and Credentials Committee recommendation that both Licentiate Savage’s ordination exam and Mr. Johnson’s licensure exam be deemed satisfactory. Regular business resumed after dinner with the traditional questions of Article 81 being asked to the elders of each church. The delegates were then addressed by Rev. Archibald Alexander from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who encouraged us to remain faithful in our ministries and in the preaching of the gospel. Before the evening was over, the Standing Missions Committee reported on the mission work in Stickney, SD, acknowledging God’s faithfulness in maintaining a desire for faithful preaching and teaching within the families whom God has brought into the RCUS living in and around Stickney.
On Wednesday morning, following a devotion led by Rev. Maynard Koerner based upon Joshua 1, Rev. Martin DeWitt was given his orthodoxy and purity of intentions examination. At the conclusion of the exam, the delegates again moved into executive session wherein they approved the recommendation that Rev. DeWitt’s exam be declared satisfactory.
After a year in which Mr. Fred Hoffman sustained some serious health issues, the delegates showed their support for his service to the Classis as treasurer by reelecting him to that position for another year.
On Wednesday evening, the 2026 South Central Classis moved to adjourn until we meet again on March 15, 2027, at Hope Reformed Church in Sutton, NE.
Rev. Chris Moulton
Trinity Covenant Reformed Church
Colorado Springs, CO