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
Colleen Chao wrote this insightful book about heaven after being diagnosed with incurable cancer and wrestling with questions she had about life after death. She’s not afraid to meet Jesus, but her perspective shifted when faced with the prospect of leaving her earthly body and home behind forever.I
In the rom-com Solo Mio, Matt Taylor (Kevin James of The King of Queens fame) plans a special wedding for himself and his fiancée Heather (Julie Ann Emery) in Rome, Italy. The problem: Heather never appears for the ceremony but leaves her dressing room for parts unknown. When Matt goes looking for h
Journalist Ross Halperin’s profound critique, fast-paced storytelling, and detailed reporting narrate the story of American sociologist Kurt Ver Beek and Honduran teacher Carlos Hernandez against the violent history, politics, systemic injustice, and poverty of Honduras, infamous as “one of the most
Peter Noteboom, a commissioned pastor of the Christian Reformed Church in Classis Toronto, who has served nine years as general secretary for The Canadian Council of Churches ecumenical organization, is leaving the role as of June 30, 2026. The Council announced the transition in its March newslette
Lorna Glesne of Bunde Christian Reformed Church in Clara City, Minn., told us about the long service of 96-year-old organist Mildred “Millie” Meyer, who has been playing for Bunde CRC for 82 years. Meyer told The Banner she began playing piano for Sunday school at age 12 and graduated to playing the