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.*Editor’s Not
Based on author Nessa Bally’s childhood in Trinidad, this lyrically narrated and energetically illustrated picture book relates her experience of having the electricity go off. In an author note, Bally writes, “In Trinidad, we have blackouts from time to time. Electricity is fondly referred to as ‘c
Many movies and films nowadays speak to modern day concerns surrounding mental health and feelings of loneliness. Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, does the same. It picks up where viewers were left in Spider-Man: No Way Home. The film follows Peter Parker, played by the
When author Laura Boonstra and her husband Phil began their fostering journey, they had no idea what they would encounter: the contrasting emotions of joy and sorrow, the dramatic changes to their vision of what constitutes a family, their growing desire to seek justice for mistreated refugee foster
Elzo Tenyenhuis will be remembered for his hospitality, willingness to help, ability to listen and connect, humor, curiosity, and integrity. He held a strong faith in Jesus and shared his zeal for the gospel whenever he had the opportunity. Through life's hardships Elzo chose hope and remained open
Roger Kramer was a peaceful, easy-going, humble man of quiet strength who enjoyed creating joy around him with his wit and playful pranks. One of his daughters described Roger’s life as a living embodiment of Philippians 2:3-4, which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Bob Smietana was published Aug. 18, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style. The Banner added a sentence to the 14th paragraph and added the final paragraph, to provide cont
A summertime hockey tournament that’s been bringing together church teams in Abbotsford, B.C. for three years saw Gateway Community Christian Reformed Church join this August for the first time.“Battle of the Churches” brings together Christians from different denominations for a weekend of hockey,
Resonate Global Mission is celebrating the newest partnerships in the Christian Reformed Church’s growing campus ministry network: international student ministries led by Hilda Vanderklippe in the Niagara region and a team including Jenica Groot-Nibbelink in the London, Ont., area. Though both leade
To the casual observer, the modern world feels entirely mechanical and predictable. You sit in your car, type a destination into your smartphone, and are guided across town with pinpoint accuracy. But this everyday routine masks a profound truth: the daily technology we rely on is completely depende
We all have those family members who seem to know more about us than we do about them. D.K. Furutani, author of When Mikan Road Was Ours, is a master at conveying the awkwardness of that feeling. When his protagonist, who works as an English professor, attends a great-uncle’s funeral, a cousin he do
My previous article explored the historical background and theme of comfort in the Heidelberg Catechism. This article will look at the structure of the HC and the first two sections. The HC is structured into three sections, something unique at the time. These sections are human misery (Q&A 3-11), d
Editor’s note: This article won the honorable mention in this year’s Young Adult Writing Contest, sponsored by Plough Publishing House. This year’s topic was “sustaining faith.”When I started ninth grade, I expected to fit in with my peers immediately. Instead, I struggled to adjust and find my plac
What a run! 20 episodes, 16 guests and folks around the denomination joining in the conversation. In this quick update, Banner editor Lora thanks everyone who listened, produced and supported our first season. She also shares the exciting news that the podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts and
Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a three-part series about social media and how easily it can shape us. It explores how Scripture offers a deeper vision of who we are and what we're called to.Born in the late 1990s, I belong to one of the first generations to grow up alongside social medi
As Connect Church in Pella, Iowa, (called “First Christian Reformed Church” until 2019) celebrated 160 years since its founding, the first Christian Reformed congregation to be established west of the Mississippi River also wanted to celebrate The Banner’s 160 years.“Our (church) council thought it
Rolling Acres Christian Reformed Church in Mason City, Iowa, hosted its second “Dog Days of Summer” outdoor worship service July 19, celebrating the good gift of pets.The congregation hosts outdoor services once a month from June to October, rotating between the church property and a local park, sai
When several children spend a day at the beach, each engages curiously, imaginatively, and playfully with what he or she discovers.A girl finds a shell, and thinks, “This is just a shell. Or is it? / To a clam, it’s a door. / To an octopus, it’s a shield. / And to an otter, it’s a tool. / But to me,
This beloved franchise’s third installment still provides the same smart fun.That it’s Enola’s wedding day (who else but Tewkesbury?) and that she’s careening wildly in a coach—begins the rambunctious pace. Something’s amiss, and people like big brother Sherlock are going missing. Good thing Enola c
In his unique fictional rendering of the lives of renowned historical figures C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, members of the Inklings, and mystery writers Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie, and more, author John Kelly reveals “the other side of the Inklings.” He writes, “This was how it had alway