Roger Kramer was a peaceful, easy-going, humble man of quiet strength who enjoyed creating joy around him with his wit and playful pranks. One of his daughters described Roger’s life as a living embodiment of Philippians 2:3-4, which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Bob Smietana was published Aug. 18, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style. The Banner added a sentence to the 14th paragraph and added the final paragraph, to provide cont
A summertime hockey tournament that’s been bringing together church teams in Abbotsford, B.C. for three years saw Gateway Community Christian Reformed Church join this August for the first time.“Battle of the Churches” brings together Christians from different denominations for a weekend of hockey,
Elzo Tenyenhuis will be remembered for his hospitality, willingness to help, ability to listen and connect, humor, curiosity, and integrity. He held a strong faith in Jesus and shared his zeal for the gospel whenever he had the opportunity. Through life's hardships Elzo chose hope and remained open
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
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
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
John Bylsma was known for his strong, biblical sermons, his joyful character, and his deep desire to emulate Jesus’ love for others. John, 96, died June 8. “Preacher of the Word” are the words he chose to have engraved on his tombstone.Born ‘Johannes’ in Hallum, the Netherlands, he was deeply influe
Two hundred shoppers at the Foodland grocery store in Clinton, Ont., carried home their groceries this summer in a paper sack decorated by children attending the Clinton Christian Reformed Church's Vacation Bible School. It's part of the church's intent to look at each of its ministries and ask: whi
Pastors from five Christian Reformed congregations in rural western Michigan took part in a service July 27 to pray for rain.About 200 people gathered at a local farm northwest of Zeeland, Mich., for the 30-minute service. It was the second consecutive summer the local churches had organized a praye
Kind, encouraging, thoughtful, a deep thinker, a great listener—these are all recurring words in tributes to pastor, chaplain, and licensed psychotherapist Bill Stroo, who died June 22 at age 83.After graduation from Calvin Theological Seminary and ordination in 1969, Bill served Appalachian Regiona
Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classes, regional assemblies 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
Ken Vanderwal will be remembered for his exuberant spirit, his love of adventure, and his sense of humor. “He spent his life serving others and sharing God’s love in Honduras, Costa Rica, and wherever God called him,” said a daughter at his funeral. Ken, 85, died June 8 in Grand Rapids, Mich.Born in
The Banner editors have chosen the winners of this year’s Young Adults Writing Contest.This year, the biennial contest, with the theme “Sustaining Faith,” is sponsored by Plough Publishing HouseImage:“What does sustaining faith look like? What does it mean to be sustained in faith in today’s world?
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Aleja Hertzler-McCain, was published July 2, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style. The Banner added the fifth and sixth paragraphs and the last four paragraphs to provide
Teens in Classis Columbia, a regional group of Christian Reformed churches in the western U.S., have counted on Camp Calvin’s volunteer teachers and other professionals for opportunities in spiritual growth, friendship, and leadership since 1975.Preschool teacher Amy Toornstra, a member of Sunnyslop
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by David Katibah, was published June 18, 2026 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style. The Banner added a sentence to the third paragraph and added the last paragraph to provide con
Synod 2026 delegates Andy Sytsma and John Sinnema from Classis Yellowstone carried a memorial “yellow stone” with them when they attended the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church June 12-18 on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. The painted rock displayed “RIP