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
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.Rain was batt
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” —2 Timothy 2:2Paul, writing to his disciple Timothy, shows multiplication does not happen all at once but is passed, one person at a time. The following sto
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 will be the
When a young girl visits Nanu—her maternal grandfather—her favorite outing is accompanying him to the vibrant, expansive market in India where he shops. Nanu calls out greetings to everyone. This is his community, populated with hard-working merchants selling a plethora of merchandise: guavas, mango
The Christian rock band Tree63 returns with its first full-length record in almost 11 years: Voyage. This recording reminds listeners of the South African trio’s heyday in the early 2000s. “I am no longer a young believer, singing about the excitement of a life-changing spiritual discovery,” said fo
Harderwyk Ministries, a Christian Reformed congregation of about 800 members in Holland, Mich., which has been producing gospel-centered Vacation Bible School curriculum for a decade, is making its database of programs available to smaller churches as an alternative to “boxed” curriculum to better f
Rev. Young Ook Kim, who died July 16 at the age of 87, joined the Christian Reformed Church in 1987 and dedicated himself to laying the foundation of the denomination’s Korean Council (now Korean Ministry Association).Kim graduated from Chongshin Theological University in Seoul, Korea, and went on t
At the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is a story about two builders. It's a parable not of location but of depth, asking us not where we build, but if we're willing to dig down to the bedrock for a solid foundation. This is the image that shaped our Canadian National Gathering this past May, with
In this split-time mystery and suspense novel, Christian author Jaime Jo Wright explores and weaves together numerous themes: the ongoing, devastating consequences of the American Civil War that ended in 1865; the dangerous spiritual costs of pursuing a fascination with paranormal exploration; the g
The year 1951 was a big church-planting year for the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Seventeen different congregations begun in that year are celebrating their 75th anniversaries in 2026, including Wallaceburg (Ont.) CRC.Image:Pastor Tim Leferink (right) receives a certificate on behalf
Ten months ago, Colin Jambekar was sitting through chemotherapy treatments that lasted up to seven hours a day while trying to keep pace with a demanding civil engineering course load.On May 9, 2026, he walked across the commencement stage at Calvin University as a college graduate, cancer survivor,