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.Through the g
Winsome and captivating, this gently narrated and warmly illustrated children’s picture book portrays the loving care that runs in a family through the generations.As a young girl walks alongside her grandmother, she narrates, “My a-ma told me that in our family, our care for one another flows like
Born Aug. 2, 1942, Isabel Allende, renowned 84-year-old Chilean-American author of more than 30 books spanning a career of four decades, invites readers to explore the craft of writing in her most recent publication. Part memoir, part instruction manual, Story Telling is more than a list of things w
Starting a church in Tucson, Ariz.—a city identified as the 12th-most “post-Christian” in the U.S. on Barna research group’s 2017 scale—was daunting. Even the neighbors didn’t want it. Asked for letters of support in 2017, local entities in the Arroyo Chico neighborhood instead responded to Mission
Born into a devout Catholic community on Aug. 5, 1917, in Lubcan, a town in the Philippine Islands, Josephina Veluya—called Joey by her family—grew up with a longing to be like Joan of Arc. As she played, she imagined her heroine’s life: “What would it be like, Joey Veluya wondered, to have God spea
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.You know the
Pastor and author Max Lucado has a simple message for Christians in his new book: Keep going. Keep working! Be steadfast. Ours is a call to wait on the Lord even when circumstances around us make no sense; ours is a call to trust in God when there’s no rain in the forecast for our parched land.Lucad
Note: This online-only article is part of a series showcasing past Banner editors. You can read all the content celebrating The Banner’s 160th anniversary here.Rev. John Yeury De Baun, a pastor of the True Reformed Dutch Church in America in New Jersey, published the first issue of The Banner of Tru
To send letters to the editor, please see our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters.Books About GazaRegarding the reviews of two books of the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza (Daughters of Palestine, online): in 1972 through 2019, I worked as an archaeologist in and out of the West Bank, and since I was
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 the kind
In this marvelously formatted and illustrated picture book narrated with simple text for very young children, author Lola Schaefer and illustrator Frenci Sanna relate the intricate connectedness of God’s created world: “Because of a bee, / a strawberry. / Because of a strawberry, / a butterfly. / Be
In memory of the beloved Dolly Parton, I watched a film full of timeless quotes, witty comebacks, sweet Southern hellos, and heartfelt goodbyes. Steel Magnolias, based on the play by Robert Harling, showed viewers how six Louisiana women navigate the ups and downs of life, family, friendship, mother
Sandra Brown has always felt secure in her marriage to her husband Aaron, in her role as a parent of two children, and in her prestigious career, which regularly boosts her self-esteem and affirms her gifts. And she loves living in New York City with her extended Colombian American family nearby, es
Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, made several consequential decisions for the future of the CRCNA, including adopting a 10-year strategic plan for discipleship, church planting, and renewal. It also requested a study of Christian nationalism,
The CRC has a long history of working together and pooling resources to further God’s kingdom work around the world. This year we will feature a special column in each issue that includes an interview with the directors of these shared ministries: Thrive, Resonate Global Mission, ReFrame Ministries,
The CRC Loan Fund is an independent nonprofit subsidiary of the CRCNA whose purpose is to provide low-cost financing to CRCNA churches. It has been serving the denomination since 1983.Over the last decade, the Loan Fund’s lending volume has declined by almost half ($18.6 million in 2016 to $9.6 mill
In the heart of Soroti, Uganda, a quiet yet intentional equipping is happening through turning pages and sharing breakfast. Pastor Richard Oonyu sits at a table chatting with peers as he carefully flips through the pages of a new book over breakfast.Resonate Global Mission missionary Anthony Sytsma
To most of us, Jericho is the walled city the Israelites defeated in the book of Joshua. In Joshua 6:20, it says that on the seventh day of walking around the city of Jericho, “When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall coll
Emilia’s thoughts are saturated with wishes. She wishes she had her own bed instead of having to share one with her sister; that she could eat sugary cereal for breakfast instead of the toasted tortillas her mama makes; that her family had a new car instead of the clunky old truck they get around in
Reformed denominations are buzzing with controversy about Christian nationalism. Synod 2026 called for a study committee to consider the issue. Part of the problem is that the term “Christian nationalism” means very different things to different people. It might be helpful to consider whether any fo