The January 2025 meeting of the Christian Reformed Church in North America’s Grand Rapids East classis released eight ministers from the office of Minister of the Word and acknowledged 10 congregations in the process of disaffiliation from the denomination. That represents more than half of the 17 o
About 125 people representing various faith traditions turned out in late January for an ecumenical service in Zeeland, Mich., that took place in observance of the International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.The service was put together by Christians Uniting in Song and Prayer, a Holland, Mich.
Valorie Zonnefeld, a professor of mathematics at Dordt University, in Sioux Center, Iowa, wants students to see mathematics as more than just numbers and equations. She wants them to recognize how math can be a tool for highlighting the beauty and order of creation, serving others and making a posit
In an open letter posted to its website Feb. 18, the Institute of Christian Studies, a graduate school in Toronto, Ont., announced a decision of its board of directors Jan. 15 “to discontinue ICS’s status as a Denominationally-Related Educational Institution of the Christian Reformed Church in North
What can we learn from Christian Reformed churches that reported growth through evangelism? Resonate Global Mission interviewed the churches with the most evangelistic growth and found recurring words: Image: From “Church Growth Through Evangel
The number of church and regional disability advocates is growing in the Christian Reformed Church, with more people stepping into these roles to support belonging and participation in their congregations and communities. As of 2024, there are 384 church disability advocates, representing about 40%
With ministry share giving down about $1 million compared to this time last year, the Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church in North America is considering “ways to reduce governance costs, fund synod, and use time wisely.” At its February meeting the Council gave that task to member
At its Feb. 5-7 meeting convened by video conference, the Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church received reports on medically assisted suicide and the theological implications of “virtual church,” reviewed the denomination’s financial health and established a cost-cutting task force,
Seven years ago, Roger Evans was living on the streets, struggling with addiction, and searching for a way out. Today, he is the peer outreach support specialist for Monroe, Wash., dedicating his life to helping those experiencing homelessness find stability, resources, and hope. He does these same
These were the 10 most-accessed articles on thebanner.org between January and December 2024, in order of most views to fewer. For links and 15 more of our most accessed articles from the past year, visit thebanner.org/2024-top-25. Image: Pageview
This year’s annual Kuyper Conference put on by Calvin University will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 13-15 with the theme: “Reforming Always and Everywhere: Neo-Calvinism and the Reformed Tradition in Historical and Global Perspective.” Focused on the global growth of Neo-Calvinism, the str
Paul Sausser had a quiet, gentle, patient, and thoughtful way about him. He was humble and didn’t need to be noticed. He modeled Christ with his compassionate servant's heart. “If you have seen Paul, you have seen Jesus,” eulogized a friend and colleague at his memorial service. Paul, 65, died Jan.
Greg Houldcroft really wants to see kids “thrive and get to know a God who loves them.” That’s what’s driven him for 15 years to start and maintain Cross Town Impact in eastern Ontario, a ministry offering a two-hour after school program once a week at four different locations in three different cit
World Renew, the Christian Reformed Church’s relief and development agency, announced a change in leadership in the second-to-last week of January. A letter from World Renew’s Canadian board president to ministry partners Jan. 24 and a subsequent public announcement indicated that Mike White, previo
As a pastor and chaplain, Tom Dykstra consistently demonstrated his faithfulness, dedication, and compassion for others. Recognized as an encourager throughout his years of ministry, Tom reflected the traits of his favorite Bible character, Barnabas, a disciple of Jesus known for mentoring, support,
A pastor and chaplain who nurtured many interests, Peter Kranenburg's life was defined by the power and grace of Jesus Christ. “His love for Jesus permeated his life,” eulogized one of his daughters. “He listened closely to us and wouldn’t judge,” said a grandson. Peter, 95, died Jan. 7, after 15 ye
“He gave his heart to loving Christ’s people, to loving the church, and to reaching the lost,” said the pastor presiding at Bob Ritsema’s celebration of life service. “Bob wanted people to know about the grace and love of Jesus Christ.” A powerful and transformational preacher, Bob had an imposing p
A video series recently released by Dordt University highlights a switch in the global composition of Christians and how to think differently about funding and doing missions today.Coproduced by Aaron Baart and Mark Volkers, and hosted by Baart, Missions Upside Down revisits stories of heroic missio
David Zandstra, a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church who was ordained in 1965, was acquitted in a jury trial of all charges he faced stemming from his arrest in July 2023. Prosecutors alleged he confessed in a 2023 interview to murdering Gretchen Harrington, an 8-year-old girl who wen
Staff from several Christian Reformed Church ministries and denominational support offices moved into the new Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Ministry Support Center at 300 East Beltline SE between Jan. 2 and 6. The site hosted a meeting of church planters from Resonate Global Mission’s Great Lakes Region