Dirk Evans was known for his ability to listen. “While he was adept at talking,” said one of his sons, “I think his superpower was listening—with intent, seeking to understand—and not interrupting.” In his professional life Dirk served as a church pastor, hospital chaplain, certified supervisor of C
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Kathryn Post, was published July 17, 2025 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length. Banner style, and relevance to the Christian Reformed Church.From organ blasts and incense to forced hugs and ha
“Experiment” is a good word, said Corey Van Huizen, pastor of Redeemer Online Church, in a July 18 interview with The Banner. It “affords you a kind of latitude for making mistakes, being on the frontier, the edges.” There’s a messiness inherent in experimenting that Van Huizen compared to the early
The annual denomination survey asks respondents to select from 28 phrases in response to the prompt “To me, the term ‘Christian Reformed’ means ...” In 2025, 13 phrases were selected by at least 30% of respondents. Here are those top terms, with the ones chosen by the highest percentage of responden
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Yonat Shimron, was published June 9, 2025 on religionnews.com.Craig Dykstra, a longtime philanthropy executive who, through his grant-making, helped nurture theologically grounded Christian congregations an
For two years Grace Community Christian Reformed Church in Ancaster, Ont., has used its large open foyer filled with natural light as a community play space on Thursday mornings. Called Community Play &Café it's a drop-in for caregivers and young children with no agenda but play and connection and i
The July 4 public celebration at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich., is an annual opportunity to share history and community spirit. This year the event came a few weeks after the dedication and open house of the church’s new youth center and the refurbishment of the Graafschap H
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Claire Giangravé, was published July 3, 2025 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style. The Banner added the last paragraph to provide context for the Christian Reformed Church.As
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Adelle M. Banks, was published June 16, 2025 on religionnews.com. It has been lightly edited for Banner style.Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost half of churchgoers are regular part
“Go to the nearest CRC, and they will help you.” That's the advice a Congolese pastor looking for a place to worship with his Arizona congregation got from a fellow transplanted pastor in Michigan. Three months later, Embassy Church had its first service in the fellowship hall of Phoenix (Ariz.) Chr
Nola Galluch has been described as having a big personality. “She had this big bravery to do what others wouldn’t even think of trying, a strong perseverance despite many odds and barriers against her along the way, and a big, nonjudgmental love for people,” said one of her brothers.Nola, 76, died M
Jerry DeVries, who died May 30, was a gentle and humble pastor who served Christian Reformed congregations in the U.S. from coast to coast for over four decades.Jerry grew up on a farm in Princeton, Minn. He contracted polio at age 7. When he left the hospital after six months of therapy, Jerry was
Shiao Chong, editor-in-chief of The Banner, the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church, tendered his resignation with the publication June 23. His last day as editor will be July 11. Shirley De Vries, chief administrative officer for the CRC, is “working with the Office of General Secretary, Bann
This was my fourth synod as news editor—sixth in a reporting capacity. Titles of my “In Our View” reflections have been “In Person, But Not Together,” “Incomplete and Broken,” and “Resounding Words.” As I witnessed discussions, deliberations, and decisions of the Christian Reformed Church synod this
A request from Classis Zeeland to appoint a study committee to evaluate and clarify the Christian Reformed Church’s polity surrounding the relationships among local church councils, classes (regional groups of churches), and synod has been passed on to Synod 2026. It was originally sent to Synod 202
Synod 2025 concluded with a word of encouragement from president Steven Terpstra and worshipping together in song.Terpstra, preached from the end of the Luke 24:13-35 passage, the Emmaus Road story that synod used through the week in its theme “Journey with Jesus.”Focusing on the phrase “their eyes
Synod 2025 heard from the directors of Resonate Global Mission and ReFrame Ministries about their work in missions, media ministry, and church building, and recognized the global impact of World Renew, the Christian Reformed Church’s relief and development agency.Synod is the annual general assembly
Synod 2025 delegates decided that the content of The Banner must “speak from a distinctly Reformed perspective in line with our confessions and synodical decisions, representing the CRCNA as its official publication.”In presenting issues pertinent in the life of the church, The Banner will no longer
Synod 2025 had a request “to prioritize church planting within the denominational budget”—a matter it considered at length. Without being able to make direct budgetary decisions, the assembly affirmed that church planting is a key strategy in building the health and vitality of the denomination and
After much discussion, Synod 2025 decided to maintain its close ecumenical relationship with the Reformed Church in America, but the relationship will be reevaluated over the next five years.For more than a decade, the relationship between the denominations has been guided by the Pella Accord, made