The Banner

A News Writer's Witness of Kingdom Presence
01/17/2025

I've been writing news stories for The Banner as a correspondent since 2017. Throughout these years, I've been fortunate to witness firsthand the power of faith-driven action, as I've spoken with countless churches, organizations, and individuals who are using their time, talents, and treasures in u

Penny Preaches: God Gives Good Gifts to Everyone!
01/17/2025

Young Penny’s favorite day of the week is Sundays because of the scrumptious breakfast her parents serve her and because she can go to church. She loves the music, the smiling faces, paging through the Bible, and listening to the sermon because the stories make her “think about big things,” such as

Prime Suspect: Tennison
01/17/2025

Remember Prime Suspect? That British crime drama starring the beloved Helen Mirren? Well, Prime Suspect: Tennison—also titled Prime Suspect 1973—introduces us to Mirren’s character, the infamous Jane Tennison, at 22.It’s 1973, and Tennison is a new probationary WPC (woman police constable)—one of tw

Maurice
01/17/2025

This picture book reveals a canine musician’s journey of pursuing passion, love, and inner strength.In the city of Paris, Maurice offered his music on street corners because he felt that “sharing his music with others was what mattered.” Music was the language of love in these exchanges, and Maurice

An Invitation to Trust
01/17/2025

“Where are you going to college?” As high school was ending, I remember the same question being on everybody’s lips. I heard it so often I rehearsed a bundle of canned answers. Sometimes I’d change these slightly depending on who was asking or how fast a given deadline was approaching. Throughout my

Reflections On My Mother's Last Days
01/17/2025

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner. The Banner h

Church Planters First to Meet in CRC’s New Ministry Support Center
01/17/2025

Staff from several Christian Reformed Church ministries and denominational support offices moved into the new Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Ministry Support Center at 300 East Beltline SE between Jan. 2 and 6. The site hosted a meeting of church planters from Resonate Global Mission’s Great Lakes Region

In Memoriam: Rev. William (Bill) Dykstra
01/17/2025

At the recent celebration of life service for Bill Dykstra, a friend described the big smile Bill always had when he told the story of how God led him—a farm boy from Bloomfield, Ont.—into lifelong ministry. Bill, 85, died Dec. 12, 2024. He has been described as a kind, thoughtful, loving, reflectiv

In Memoriam: Rev. Henry Eshuis
01/17/2025

Living a life of faith and ministering to others was Henry Eshuis’s mission. Toward those he encountered—whether congregation members, neighbors, family, or friends—he was compassionate, loving, thoughtful, and caring. At his memorial service, a pastor colleague highlighted Henry’s wisdom and consis

Report: 1 in 7 Global Christians Faces 'High-level' Persecution
01/17/2025

The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Fiona André was published Jan. 15, 2025 on religionnews.com. It has been lightly edited for Banner style.Driven by Islamic extremism, authoritarian regimes, and war, high-level persecution and discriminatio

Why a Denomination?
01/15/2025

I had a good laugh recently when I learned that one of my teenagers was peppering her teacher with unwelcome “whys” about mathematical formulas and theorems. When worn down by their pupils’ questions, even the most patient pedagogues will eventually concede: “Because they are!” For a person like me,

Everything Good
01/14/2025

Jordan Feliz challenges believers to face worry and fear in the light of God’s Sovereignty in his latest release, Everything Good. “When we know who’s in control, who our provider is, and where the good comes from—that’s when we start seeing anxiety disappear,” Feliz said in a release. “God has alre

What Is Counterculture Now?
01/13/2025

Having served in youth ministry for almost 20 years, I know one thing for certain: Nothing changes so rapidly as youth culture. Culture no longer shifts over a generation. It happens overnight.For those in youth ministry, one of the most exhausting challenges is staying relevant. A persistent fear i

Is the Golden Rule an Example of Moral Relativism?
01/13/2025

Is Jesus’ admonition “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12) an example of moral relativism?Jesus’ Golden Rule seems easy to caricature. I would like each of my neighbors to give me $20. Does this mean I must give each of my neighbors $20? I would like to be fre

Shared Service Was ‘Pentecost Moment’ for Four California Congregations
01/10/2025

Four congregations sharing a building joined for a carol service in three languages Dec. 22 at San Jose (Calif.) Christian Reformed Church. “I would say it is a Pentecost moment,” said Mike Mat, an elder at Iglesia Cristiana Comunidad Latinoamericana, noting the service crossed many barriers. “We ha

Trustees Move Ministers Pension Plan to Third-party Management
01/10/2025

As of Jan. 1, CEB Services, a pension and health benefits third-party administrator based in Grandville, Mich., assumed management of the U.S. and Canadian Christian Reformed Church in North America’s Ministers Pension Plans. The firm was hired by the trustees of the two funds, taking the day-to-day

Report Ranks Countries Where Religion Faces Highest Government and Social Persecution
01/10/2025

The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Fiona André was published Dec. 18, 2024 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style.A report by Pew Research Center on international religious freedom named Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, a

Not Finished Yet: Trusting God with All My Feelings
01/10/2025

Young Wren loves to visit Pop and Gran on their farm in Australia. She especially enjoys painting with Gran in her art studio behind the farmhouse.When Gran asks Wren what they’ll paint that day, she feels important, as if “what she thought and wanted mattered.” Wren decides to paint the special fee

Inside the Mind of a Dog
01/10/2025

When your favorite furry canine looks at you and tilts their head, have you ever wondered what is happening inside their little heart and mind?Inside the Mind of a Dog (narrated by Rob Lowe), takes a close look at man’s best friend and explores the latest research as scientists turn their attention

My Top 6 Christian Living Books of 2024
01/10/2025

Courageously Soft: Daring to Keep a Tender Heart in a Tough World, by Charaia Rush“You need to toughen up.” “You need to develop a thicker skin.” Or, as Charaia Rush heard it, “You’re too soft, baby girl.”Thankfully, author Rush is having none of it. Instead, she offers readers a new paradigm for he