This year, Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary mark 150 years of shared mission and ministry. For a century and a half, God has been faithful—calling, shaping, and sending graduates into churches, classrooms, clinics, businesses, and communities around the world. That legacy is not onl
The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall is a riveting, spine-tingling addition to author Jaime Jo Wright’s collection of split-time mystery novels, including The Premonition at Withers Farm, Specters in the Glass House, and more. Blending legend, history, scriptural truth, romance, complex plotting, and mult
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 of the mo
This new edition of the Bible exists to make Bible reading more accessible to readers of all ages and abilities. It is ideal for people who are easily distracted, lose focus, or become frustrated during their devotional times. This Bible is designed to be specifically helpful for those who have dysl
When my husband and I were students, we ran a lawn-mowing business. Joel mowed in super straight lines. Mine were wavy, with missed grass. Ugh. I’d stare down at my feet, concentrating on getting that mower wheel right on the edge of the last pass. But at the row’s end, I’d turn, and again another c
The report of a Task Force to Study Multisite Churches, to be presented to Synod 2026 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is now available online. The 18-page report with a three-page appendix will be included in the synod agenda. Requested by Synod 2024, in response to an overture fr
Just days before Matthew Le’s death, his physician asked him, “What do you do?” Matthew answered, “I am a servant.” The physician looked questioningly at Matthew’s wife, who explained that Matthew was a minister who served Jesus and a congregation. Matthew Le, 68, died Jan. 27, 2025.Born in Vietnam,
Jim Kok, who served in chaplaincy ministry for 50 years, was the first supervisor of clinical pastoral education in the Christian Reformed Church. “He stands 6′6″ but his personality is even bigger,” said a 2018 article written in the CRCNA’s The Network. “Jim was a giant of a man in both stature an
“Senpai” is what Japanese students call those who are ahead of them in their school year (how a freshman would refer to a sophomore, etc.), or what a company employee calls a colleague who started working in the company before them. A less formal word is also used, “Aniki,” which is what one calls a
In this fact-packed, visually exciting exploration of languages throughout history up to the present, author Rachel Lancashire and illustrator Jenny Zemanek join forces to answer questions such as: What are language family trees? How many languages are there? What are worldwide European languages? W
Ginny Owens’ beautiful voice has graced Christian music for over 20 years. Now the singer-songwriter returns with the EP, “Different Kind of Water,” her first new songs in three years. “Here, you’ll find songs about what we do with our endless restlessness and longings,” she shares in a release. “Ab
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.I’m not reall
People in the CRCNA don’t tend to view Church Order as a springboard for creative expression. And yet, church plants work within its framework to fill a new church, like a canvas, with all the potential of what a church can be. The CRC is seeing that, with the guidance of leaders and coaches as well
The Exeter Lakeshore Times-Advance reported March 4 that Huron-Perth counties in Ontario had raised more than half a million dollars in the 2026 Coldest Night of the Year campaign that annually funds critical service providers to vulnerable people across Canada. Exeter (Ont.) Christian Reformed Chur
Award-winning author of Sugar Birds and Leaning on Air and Christian Reformed Church member, Cheryl Grey Bostrom presents a stunning window into the history, Indigenous culture, and natural world of the Pacific Northwest while narrating a heart-wrenching story of the consequences of generational lie
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” —Matthew 25:40He shows up every Monday while we drink something from Starbucks in the lobby of the Piggly Wiggly. He wears the same clothes all year. It is the unif
Ginny, the dog, is the best tool in my outreach toolkit.She’s not my dog. She belongs to my nephew and his wife, but I get to walk her from time to time.Ginny is my icebreaker. It’s wonderful how many people who wouldn’t even make eye contact with me will stop to greet her. Expressionless faces brea
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.Infants have
On Feb. 22, folks from New Life Christian Reformed Church in Abbotsford, B.C., opened their homes and hearts for “Let’s do Lunch” Sunday potlucks. Hosts and guests gathered in small groups to share food, laughter, and fellowship right where they live. It wasn’t just about a meal. It was about practi
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Yonat Shimron, was published March 3, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style.The percentage of Americans who say religion is “very important” in their lives seems to have l