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
At the recent celebration of life service for Bill Dykstra, a friend described the big smile Bill always had when he told the story of how God led him—a farm boy from Bloomfield, Ont.—into lifelong ministry. Bill, 85, died Dec. 12, 2024. He has been described as a kind, thoughtful, loving, reflectiv
Living a life of faith and ministering to others was Henry Eshuis’s mission. Toward those he encountered—whether congregation members, neighbors, family, or friends—he was compassionate, loving, thoughtful, and caring. At his memorial service, a pastor colleague highlighted Henry’s wisdom and consis
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Fiona André was published Jan. 15, 2025 on religionnews.com. It has been lightly edited for Banner style.Driven by Islamic extremism, authoritarian regimes, and war, high-level persecution and discriminatio
Four congregations sharing a building joined for a carol service in three languages Dec. 22 at San Jose (Calif.) Christian Reformed Church. “I would say it is a Pentecost moment,” said Mike Mat, an elder at Iglesia Cristiana Comunidad Latinoamericana, noting the service crossed many barriers. “We ha
As of Jan. 1, CEB Services, a pension and health benefits third-party administrator based in Grandville, Mich., assumed management of the U.S. and Canadian Christian Reformed Church in North America’s Ministers Pension Plans. The firm was hired by the trustees of the two funds, taking the day-to-day
The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This story by Fiona André was published Dec. 18, 2024 on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style.A report by Pew Research Center on international religious freedom named Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, a
Peter Mahaffy, chemistry professor at The King’s University in Edmonton, Alta., and director of the King’s Centre for Visualization in Science, has been named the 2025 recipient of the George C. Pimentel Award in Chemical Education. Presented by the American Chemical Society, the honor recognizes Ma
The parsonage of Unity Christian Reformed Church in Prospect Park, N.J., is becoming as much of a mission to the church’s pastor and his family as the flock of people AJ Santino shepherds as a commissioned pastor.Santino, his wife, Larissa Santino, and their four children, whom they homeschool, tend
Trinity Christian College’s women’s soccer team won the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I national championship Dec. 6, defeating conference rival Judson University 3-0 in Kissimmee, Fla.For the Trolls, it was their third NCCAA championship in school history under longtime h
Two Christian high schools battled for the provincial championship at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association’s Boys A volleyball tournament Nov. 21-23. The Hamilton (Ont.) District Christian High School boys’ volleyball team won gold, and the Smithville (Ont.) Christian High School bo
Trinity Hill Christian Reformed Church's Cookies and Carols event in Chanhassen, Minn., raised more than $500 for Love In the Name of Christ Carver County in December 2023—enough for the congregation to want to repeat the effort this season. The congregation plans to host a hymn sing and donation dr
Dan Ensing, a model train enthusiast and longtime member of Lee Street Christian Reformed Church in Wyoming, Mich., shared his annual Christmas train display with the church this year, including a handmade replica of the Lee Street CRC building as part of the set.Ensing, a retired band instrument re
From hosting Christmas parade viewing on the church building steps to hosting a parking lot Neighborhood Christmas event, Christian Reformed congregations are embracing their communities this season.First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, Wash. handed out hot chocolate and baked goods to over 100