Not Much Like You And Me

02/06/2026

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.At first glan

U.S. Evangelicals Divided Over What Faith Demands as Immigration Tensions Deepen

02/06/2026

The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Bob Smietana was published Jan. 30, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style. The Banner added related links and paragraph nine to provide context for the Christian Reformed

Strong and Fearless Faith: 52 Inspiring Stories of Black Believers

02/06/2026

When author Jasmine Holmes was growing up, she had two Christian heroes: Corrie ten Boom, Dutch author of The Hiding Place who helped many Jews hide from the Nazis, and Mary Slessor, Scottish missionary to Nigeria. In her introduction, Holmes writes, “Their strong and fearless faith shaped my own fr

Hero & The Villain

02/06/2026

Canada native Dan Bremnes provides a deep, personal look into his life with the 15-track record, Hero &The Villain. “I was trying to put into words what I was wrestling with,” said Bremnes in a release. “The feeling that there were two sides of my own character that were at war. It felt like I was l

The Freedom of Surrender: Forty Devotions for a Joyful Life in Christ

02/06/2026

In the introduction to her insightful, unique collection of 40 devotions that are appropriate for the Lenten journey, author Mary DeMuth explains why surrendering to God is an essential spiritual practice: “Spiritual growth happens after reflecting, considering the sacrifice of Jesus, and preparing

Harvest of Hope: CRC Farmers Fighting Hunger Together with Their Community

02/04/2026

If you drove by one 16-acre field in rural Ontario, you might miss the blue sign with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank logo. But a bigger sign might catch your eye: “Harvest of Hope.” This plot of land is growing more than crops—it’s nurturing compassion, community, and Christ-like care for the hungry.F

For the Love of Women: Uprooting and Healing Misogyny in America

02/04/2026

Dorothy Littell Greco defines misogyny this way in her new book: “the persistent, insidious belief that men’s ideas, wants, needs, and experiences are more important than women’s and that political, religious, and social systems, as well as intimate relationships, should uphold this principle.”She a

The Ants Go Marching

02/02/2026

Can you imagine being able to lift a car with your bare hands? You don’t have to become Superman to do it; you just have to become a human-sized ant! Ants are able to lift 10-15 times their own weight. That means that if you were 100 pounds, with the strength of an ant you could lift 1,000-1,500 pou

When Doubt Is Your Companion

02/02/2026

I’ve been a Christian for most of my life. I grew up hearing the Bible stories, singing the hymns, praying at mealtimes. I’ve read theology books and led small groups. I’ve stood in sanctuaries, recited creeds, and proclaimed truths I still believe.But every now and then, doubt comes and sits beside

When Being Authentic Isn’t Enough

01/30/2026

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.Our greatest

The Freedom Seeker

01/30/2026

Twelve-year-old Simi Singh lives in India with her Sikh father and Muslim mother. Her life is permeated with their love, as well as that of her maternal and paternal grandparents. Life at home feels secure and happy, and at school Simi is thriving academically and in extracurricular sports.However,

Dalgliesh Season 3

01/30/2026

Protagonist DCI Adam Dalgliesh brought writer P.D. James instant acclaim in her 1962 debut novel, Cover her Face. This poet-detective appeared in 14 James novels through 2008 with cameos in two Cordelia Gray stories.Now in season 3, the ACORN series based on these stories deepens. Dalgliesh has a se

The Bitter End Birding Society

01/30/2026

In the late 1950s in Bitter End, Tenn., a prohibited romance between the moonshiner’s daughter and the preacher’s son sets off a firestorm of events with consequences for decades to come.Viola has always wanted to escape the Appalachian Mountains to see the wider world. It’s not that she doesn’t lov

‘One Book, One Body’ Encourages Bible Read-thru 20 Years On

01/30/2026

Six Christian Reformed congregations are part of a synchronized multi-church, community-wide effort in the Byron Center, Mich., area to read through the Bible in 2026.“One Book, One Body” is being promoted by the Byron Area Ministerial Association, an organization consisting of pastors and ministry

In Memoriam: Rev. Dick M. Stravers

01/30/2026

A much-loved pastor, Dick Stravers was a genuinely kind and compassionate man with a gentle demeanor. “His passion for justice and desire for a better world were forefront in his beliefs—and often delivered with a twinkle in his eye,” a friend remembered in tribute. Dick, 98, died Jan. 12.Dick grew

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