Greetings Sword and Shield readers,

As the warm weather approaches with the excitement of getting outdoors and enjoying summer plans, we warmly welcome and invite all members of the Reformed Protestant Churches to the family conference to be held at Gull Lake Ministries from August 27–31, 2024. This venue is located at 1800 Burlington Dr, Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060.

The living accommodations at Gull Lake offer an all-inclusive resort experience for families in condo- and hotel-style units featuring private bedrooms and bathrooms with a shared living room and kitchen. The private cottages provide bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. Breakfast and supper will be gourmet, buffet-style meals in a large dining room with a panoramic view of the surrounding lake.

Besides the comfortable living accommodations and the meals, the venue offers a variety of daytime activities for young and old. These activities include a sports lake, pickleball courts, splash pad, bowling alley, pool tables, gymnasium, and much more. We will have some daytime activities for the younger children like we had at the last conference at Green Lake, Wisconsin. We are confident that you will have an enjoyable week at this venue, which should satisfy both young and old with its host of options for entertainment. Or if you just want to sit and fellowship, the resort has many great spots to do that also.

If you cannot stay the whole time but want to come just for a day, you may do that. More information regarding the day passes will be communicated closer to the date of the conference once we finalize the details with the resort, but pencil the dates on your calendars, as we would love to see you there.

The theme for the speeches is “Union with Christ.” The first speech, titled “Union with Christ: In the Holy Spirit,” will be given on Wednesday by Rev. Nathan Langerak. On Thursday Rev. Luke Bomers will give the second speech on the topic of “Union with Christ: His Meritorious Work.” The last speech, titled “Union with Christ: The Inevitable Fruits of Thanksgiving,” will be given by Rev. Tyler Ophoff on Friday.

As a committee, we are super excited for this momentous gathering to enjoy fellowship and the communion of the saints with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

For more information, you can visit the Gull Lake Ministries’ website!

—On behalf of the steering committee,

Todd Kaptein, chairman