The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Fredrick Nzwili, was published April 15, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been lightly edited for Banner style.As the war in Sudan entered its fourth year in mid-April, the bombed Episcopal Church of Our Sa
Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, celebrated its 75th anniversary April 26. The congregation began as the Second CRC in Rock Valley and was named Calvin CRC in May 1951.The building the congregation currently uses is the church's second building, constructed between 1974 and 197
Emo (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church has been hosting a pancake breakfast during its town’s Spring Fever Days for 40 years. Cherished as a way to raise funds for missions, or community projects, the yearly outreach was first run by the church’s program for girls, then called “Calvinettes.” Helen Cat
Douglas Warners was a man who loved people and truly cared deeply for others. “When you spoke to him,” said his daughter, “you knew that you had his full attention, that he was listening and would be praying for you.” A man of integrity, Pastor Doug, as he was called by the many church members he se
In a recent Banner story about ongoing pastor training and support in Sierra Leone, a Resonate Global Mission leader was quoted: “Effective ministry … requires reliable transportation.” That’s also the understanding of a Worthington, Minn., aviation company whose purpose is “supplying people and res
Terhi Miikki-Broersma, a former full-time church musician with the Lutheran Langinkoski (Finland) Church, who now lives in Lynden, Wash., and is the executive director of the annual Lynden Music Festival, dreamed up a hymn singing marathon April 6-10 in Lynden. Six organists played through the Psalt
Did you know the Christian Reformed Church synod has approved eight specific Bible translations for use in worship by Christian Reformed congregations and one additional translation that can be used only in Bible study?The King James Version was the original accepted version. Other versions were app
Rev. Kurt Selles plans to retire in July after 14 years as director of ReFrame Ministries, the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.Under Selles’ leadership, ReFrame has gone through many changes. It relocated from Palos Heights, Ill., its longtime home, to Grand Rapids, Mich. It changed
As Rev. Lesli van Milligen retires as director of Thrive, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church, she looks back on more than 30 years in ministry.Van Milligen completed a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in 1988. In 1995, she was one of the first women to be ordained to an off
Leaders gathering for Synod 2026 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America have a sizable agenda to discuss and discern together. For starters, there’s a 106-page report (including appendices) from synod’s interim committee, the Council of Delegates, which is responsible for carrying out the
Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional assembly of churches.Many of the actions taken by classes are governed by the CRC’s Church Order, the rules that govern denominational life. Here are some of the actions by classes in the past
A January trip saw Joel Ringma, Terrace, B.C., pastor; James Vanderlaan, director of advancement for Resonate Global Mission; and Fred Reitsma, a member of Smithers (B.C.) Christian Reformed Church, attend and support a pastors’ conference in Kabala, Sierra Leone. It was a reunion of sorts for two a
After decades of declining attendance, Fort Wingate (N.M.) Christian Reformed Church is exploring a new ministry model that would transform its property into a community-focused retreat center.Organized in 1982, the rural congregation located near the entrance to Cibola National Forest has about 20
Maggie Peckford, with her husband and three young children, began attending Williamsburg (Ont.) CRC in spring 2024. In the fall of 2025 she joined its inaugural hospitality committee and says the church has been very receptive to hearing her perspective as a newcomer.“I was the churchgoer that as so
When Synod 2026 meets on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich., June 12-18, a report following up on a request from 2024 regarding accountability for addressing allegations of misconduct will be part of its agenda.Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church
Jack Hielema’s life was marked by steadfast faith, thoughtful counsel, faithful ministry, and deep care for people. Jack, 94, died March 10.Born in Groningen, the Netherlands, the fifth of nine children, Jack immigrated to the Hamilton, Ont., area at age 19 with his older brother, Ep. He worked as a
As a missionary, Epke Vander Berg shared his gifts of faith, service, and leadership with many people around the world. “He always had time to chat and share stories. He brought light and cheer to everyone he met,” said a friend in tribute. Epke, 84, died Feb. 27.Born in Friesland, the Netherlands,
A report reflecting on the practice and purpose of membership in the Christian Reformed Church is ready to be presented to Synod 2026, as requested by Synod 2024. The Defining Membership Task Force report, 15 pages and a two-page appendix, recommends that synod “remind consistories of the privilege
A report released March 5 by Cardus, in partnership with the Canadian Bible Society, is challenging widely held assumptions about the steady decline of religion in Canada, particularly among younger generations.Drawing on three years of polling data from the Angus Reid Institute, the report, “Faith
Volunteers in Service, a connecting agency in Kent County, Mich., to mobilize congregational volunteers into community service where it’s needed, celebrates 40 years in 2026.“It is very exciting to be celebrating God's faithfulness over the past 40 years as Volunteers In Service has continued to “em