When a Deacon Builds a Well for a School

01/28/2026

The water pipes at the early childhood education center where Omar Bohorquez worked had been dry for 16 years. Training from Resonate Global Mission inspired Bohorquez to provide a solution.Venezuela’s water infrastructure struggles to keep up with the population’s needs. While some schools, homes,

Friendship, Vol. 1

01/27/2026

In Every Generation is a gathering of artists and writers brought together by people at Belmont University in Nashville as part of a grant that they received to study the intersection of worship and intergenerational ministries. Belmont is at the end of Music Row in Nashville and has a long history

Don’t Forget De Wachter

01/26/2026

It’s The Banner’s 160th birthday this year, but it wasn’t actually an official publication of the Christian Reformed Church until almost 50 years later. That honor belongs to De Wachter, the Dutch language publication published by the church from 1868 until 1985.De Wachter, true to its name “The Wat

Won’t You Be My … Spiritual Giant?

01/26/2026

Few Christian living books have a premise as unique as Lori G. Melton’s Journey with a Giant. The Allegan, Mich.-based spiritual director shares her formative journey with Mister (Fred) Rogers as she guides readers in choosing their own “giant” of the faith.Drawing from Hebrews 12 and the “cloud of

Mixed Media Roundup: January/February 2026

01/26/2026

Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your JoyBy Allie Marie SmithReviewed by Lorilee CrakerStart 2026 with a social media reset. Need help curbing mindless scrolling, toxic comparisons, and other phone traps? Allie Marie Smith’s book, a worthy and co

‘Anna’s Circle’ Teams with Coffee Break Participants to Extend Christian Witness

01/23/2026

A year-old women’s evangelistic training ministry developed out of the gospel-spreading Multiplication Network is equipping participants of Global Coffee Break groups to effectively reach unchurched friends, neighbors, and family members. About 20 women at Lakeside Community Christian Reformed Churc

The Next First Step

01/23/2026

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.When I was gr

The Night Sparrow

01/23/2026

When author Shelly Sanders learned about the Central Women’s Sniper Training School, established in 1942 in Moscow during what the Soviets called the Great Patriotic War (WWII), she felt compelled to research the lives of the little-known, courageous women who attended the school and fought the Nazi

Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations

01/23/2026

When author Leyla King, a Palestinian American Episcopal priest, was 14 years old, she began to be aware of her Palestinian heritage, something she had always been oblivious to. In the following years as she attended high school and college, she listened with avid interest to the recollections of he

David

01/21/2026

The musical animated movie “David” charts the biblical character’s rise from a shepherd boy tending sheep to a young king over Israel based on 1 and 2 Samuel. 1 Samuel 13:14 serves as the backdrop: “The Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart.”Young David doesn’t desire kingship becaus

Filling in the Blanks

01/21/2026

My favorite kind of test is multiple choice (or, as it is sometimes called, “multiple guess”). “Fill in the blank” tests are much tougher. So here’s one for you: “_____ by itself, if not accompanied by _____, is dead.”This phrase from James 2:17 is one of the many verses in which James “fills in the

The Clear Focus Bible

01/20/2026

This new edition of the Bible exists to make Bible-reading more accessible to readers of all ages and abilities. This Bible is ideal for people who get easily distracted, lose focus, or become frustrated during their quiet times. It is designed to be specifically helpful for those who have dyslexia

Should Christians Watch MA-rated TV Shows or R-rated Movies?

01/19/2026

Should Christians watch MA-rated TV shows or R-rated movies?It is said that we are living in the golden age of television. Never before have TV shows been so well made and so readily accessible. Even movies, while perhaps struggling at the box office, are just a few clicks away on our smart TVs. At

Learning to Surrender All

01/19/2026

Take my life and let it beconsecrated, Lord, to thee.Take my moments and my days;let them flow in endless praise,let them flow in endless praise.On Feb. 13 I walked through the front door of the cozy split-level home that hosted our monthly women’s book club, and I noticed the atmosphere was somber,

Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls

01/16/2026

Author Jenn Suen Chen masterfully utilizes the metaphor of people gathering around a dim sum table in her gentle, engaging invitation to readers to awaken their hearts to God’s love and presence in their lives. Suen Chen envisions that, at the dim sum table, a steamed and baked meal of sweet and sav

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

01/16/2026

Wake Up Dead Man, the third Knives Out mystery, plunges us into an interesting faith conversation: Shall you know them by their love—or by their power?The story’s protagonist, young Father Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), finds penance costly. A former boxer, he’s punched a deacon and is sent away to

A Paintbrush for Joni: The True Story of Joni Eareckson Tada and the Savior Who Turns Tragedy into Joy

01/16/2026

While many Christian adults might be familiar with Joni Eareckson Tada’s story, young children and middle-grade readers might not be acquainted with it. A biography written for a middle-grade audience, A Paintbrush for Joni fills in the gap by narrating the story of Joni’s childhood experiences, the

In Memoriam: Rev. Cornelius (Neil) Vriend

01/16/2026

Neil Vriend is remembered for his kind, thoughtful, gentle demeanor and his consistent hospitality. He was genuinely interested in others and was recognized by many as a bridge-builder between those with differing perspectives. In his ministry and life, Neil lived his calling to participate in makin

December Airstrikes in Nigeria Offer 'Fragile Hope' for Christians Long Under Attack

01/16/2026

The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Tony Onyulo, was published Jan. 14, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been lightly edited for Banner style.MAKURDI, Nigeria (RNS) — When gunfire echoed through villages near her home last month, Grace Tyohem

New Christianity Today CEO Nicole Martin Believes in the Good News, Even in Hard Times

01/16/2026

The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Bob Smietana, was published Jan. 12, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style.“Do what God has called you to do,” Nicole Martin quotes her great-grandmother, Estelle Cartledg