In the fall of 1944, 22-year-old Ada, her 18-year-old sister Lina, and their father struggle to survive in Holland under the occupation of the Nazis and the intensifying food crisis caused by nutritional resources being redirected away from the nation’s citizens and sent to Germany or used to sustai
“The Lord’s Prayer” documentary discusses this well-known prayer, with various scholars weighing in on the different sections of the prayer Jesus gave to the disciples and recorded for all believers.Part of the film’s synopsis states, “Through captivating visuals, exceptional scholarship, and powerf
Renowned illustrator E. B. Lewis has illustrated over 70 books for children and won numerous awards, including a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and five Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honors. Sparrow is another stellar addition to his life’s work and an apt complement to author Mary Tebo’s spa
Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich., has given the traditional Vacation Bible School model a twist with its own four-night summer program called Praise Days, running since 2013.Offered for children who are entering the first through sixth grades, Praise Days gives an opportunity to
Marv Vander Vliet “was a wise person with a deep understanding of God’s Word and a great trust in God,” said a colleague and friend who ministered with him for 15 years at West Michigan Youth for Christ. “He loved people well. In ministry leadership and in life, he had a way of understanding people
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.Revelation 19
Thrive, the Christian Reformed Church ministry focused on equipping and supporting congregations across the denomination, tracks and helps churches in their pastor search process. The number of churches with a pastoral vacancy—those actively searching to fill it—is about 18% of the total number of o
A unique quality of modern North American Christianity is that, outside of Pentecostal circles, believers rarely report visions and dreams as experiences connecting them to God. When we have dreams and visions, we attribute them to the jalapeňo nachos we ate before bed! Not so for the rest of the wo
Perhaps it sounds weird to say I was captivated by this grief memoir, but I am deeply appreciative of Amber Smith’s perspective. Smith does not sugarcoat things as she shares her journey with heartache; she shares her experiences with the reader: real and honest, devastating and raw. Her tender acco
To send letters to the editor, please see our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters.Being QuietYour thoughtful article in the November 2025 Banner resonated with me (“Being Quiet in a Culture of Volume”). Especially the phrase “consider ways a person can be encouraged to grow the gifts they already ha
We’re entering the spring season—a time known for powerful thunderstorms and, at times, tornadoes.Thunderstorms are among the most intense weather events in nature. They can even spawn tornadoes, which produce the highest wind speeds recorded anywhere on Earth.The United States—and North America in
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.One crisp Fri
Gerard Ringnalda had a gift for pastoral care. Although he preached a good sermon, he relished making visits and teaching catechism. He encouraged others to seek justice, speak up for the oppressed, and be grateful in all things. Gerard, 97, died Jan. 25. “To the end, he modeled faithfulness in his
The Gift of Freedom was inspired by author Glenette Tilley Turner’s interview with Alice Brickler, the last living relative of Harriet Tubman to have had personal interactions with the renowned Underground Railroad conductor. When Brickler shared the story of Harriet’s 1854 Christmas Day rescue of h
Train Dreams. Something about this fictional story beckoned. Was that because it was set in the 20th-century logging era? Or was it that Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, and William H. Macy were in it? I could hardly tell. But soon my husband, Dave, and I were watching a tender and artful movie with a
In this book of Lenten devotions beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding on the Saturday of Easter week, readers have the unique daily opportunity to listen to and engage in Gregorian chant by scanning a QR code along with meditating on a written devotion pertaining to the featured chant.In introd
The Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church met by video conference Feb. 4-6, receiving ministry reports, updates on budget projections, and matters to share with Synod 2026.Roberta Vriesema, director of partnership administration—a role that replaced that of chief administrative offic
Knowing there are Christian Reformed pastors and churches in close proximity to the turmoil, tragedy and grief in Minneapolis where public clashes with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers resulted in two deaths in January, The Banner asked, ‘How do you live in this moment as Christ's c
In the past decade or so, there has been a good, healthy shift in the way we do mission work. North Americans going on mission trips used to go with a view to rescue and save the people they were serving. Now, many groups and individuals have a posture of listening and learning. In People Are the We
I remember the days before each of our little ones arrived. Fresh sheets clung to the crib mattress, with soft blankets nearby. The musical mobile hung with anticipation over the place that would soon hold our little bundle. I stocked the changing table with newborn-sized diapers and laundered and f