Synod 2026 welcomed three ecumenical guests from India, the Dominican Republic, and the United States to bring greetings and receive prayer at Synod 2026. The presentation was led by Shirley Roels, chair of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 12-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Philip Vinod Peacock, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, comes from the background of an ordained minister of the Church of North India. Peacock stated that we live in a world where children starve, yet we are set to have the first trillionaires. Children are dying due to poverty, yet billions are being spent on machines for war. This is precisely why “Christian witness matters.”
The gospel calls us to witness, Peacock expressed, to share the good news of Jesus throughout the world.
“To witness is never just a single act,” he said. “It is a way of life that needs to be sustained over time,” often against resistance. As reformed Christians, we can affirm that our salvation doesn’t rest on our own strengths, “but on a God who is faithful to us,” Peacock said.
“In a world that would divide us by nation, by wealth and race, this community (of Christians) is a sign itself of a new humanity God is creating.”
Peacock commended the CRCNA for its “theological depth and commitment to missions” that has largely enriched the wider reformed family. Peacock said he hopes the Spirit may continue to guide the deliberation of the delegates at Synod 2026, as they continue to witness to the glory of God and for the sake of the world God loves. A recommendation from the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee to continue its membership in the WCRC is still to be taken up by Synod 2026.
Pastor Bernadino Wilson, president of the executive board of the CRC of the Dominican Republic, gave a presentation through the help of an interpreter who translated from Spanish to English. Wilson shared that the first church in his denomination just celebrated its 50th year of existence last year. This church was founded by Asian immigrants to the Dominican Republic.
The denomination consists of members of both Haitian and Dominican heritage. “Our goal is to preach, yes, the gospel of Christ, but also the gospel of reconciliation,” Wilson said. Even though this can be hard at times due to border problems between Haiti and the DR, the gospel unites, he said. “Now at the national level we have over 32,000 members. Wilson hopes a blessing will come through teachings, workshops, and the community work his denomination does. “We want to do this in a holistic way through the gospel of Christ.”
Wilson shared that even though the church is passing through a difficult time, experiencing challenges with youth at the national level, they continue to make great efforts to encourage them.
Laura Osborne, coordinator for Ecumenical Relations and Disability Concerns with the Reformed Church in America, came directly from the RCA’s synod (running June 11-16 in Nashville, Tenn.). She said ministry in the RCA is still focused on discipleship and church planting while restructuring.
One key recommendation was to combine the classis and the regional-level assemblies to one middle assembly. Their general synod adopted the necessary amendments, and the process has been moving well, Osborne said.
Noting strengthened relationships with ecumenical partners, such as Churches for Middle East Peace and an ecumenical committee the RCA has joined in Thailand, Osborne spoke with gratitude for the global community of Christians and how we “can be so much better together.” She continues to pray that we will all be one. In a few years, her denomination will celebrate 400 years as a denomination. Osborne closed with saying she is thankful for the prayers of the CRCNA and for their partnership. The CRC has completed the first of a five-year review of its current in communion relationship with the RCA. Synod 2026 will receive the report of the work thus far.
Zachary King, the general secretary of the CRCNA, prayed blessings over Peacock, Wilson, Osborne, and their churches after each presentation.
Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is meeting June 12-18 on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Go to crcna.org/synod for the livestream, photos, reports, and a live blog of synod proceedings and decisions. Find daily news and our video Synod Recap at thebanner.org/synod.