Synod makes a point to welcome each year seven young adults between the ages of 18-26 to attend, contribute to advisory committees, and be informed of the decisions and inner workings of the deliberative assembly of the Christian Reformed Church. This year’s young adult representatives expressed being grateful for the experience.
Kyle Vannus who attends Covenant CRC in Winnipeg, Man., was attending his second synod as a young adult representative. Last year synod met in Ancaster, Ont., and in 2026 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
“It’s a unique opportunity to see how decisions get made in the CRC and meet people from across the denomination, which is especially cool coming from a province where the CRC presence is quite small,” Vannus said.
Kaitlyn Hofsink from East Hill Community Church in Vernon, B.C., attended synod for the first time.
“I felt like the delegates cared about what I had to share and took my comments, suggestions, and questions into consideration as they deliberated,” Hofsink said.
“While these meetings may seem mundane or routine, they are an amazing expression of the delegates’ love for the Lord and desire to follow where he is leading the CRCNA,” she continued. At breaks and meal times, she appreciated the “opportunity to connect with people from around the denominations and getting to chat with people from other classes and the denominational staff.”
Nathan van der Meer is a young adult representative from Hamilton, Ont., who also attended synod for the first time. Van der Meer attends Grace Community CRC in Ancaster.
Cruz Menchaca from Mission Church in Tucson, Ariz., was also a first-time synod attendee, and he said his experience has been “edifying and educational.” Menchaca has been a part of the CRC for almost five years and joined through an invitation into pastoral internship. “I've been fortunate to have such an incredible classis (Classis Arizona) come behind me and support me in my leadership development,” he said. Menchaca was motivated to attend because of this support. “I've been inspired to dig deeper into the traditions of the family that has welcomed me so graciously.”
Menchaca encouraged any young adults considering the opportunity to take it. To mature brothers and sisters in Christ, he asked, “Please continue to offer opportunities of discipleship like this. Inviting us young adults into significant spaces to offer perspective and to learn on our feet will be one of the most effective discipleship pathways into leadership that you can offer us.”
Kyle Hoekema, an engineering student whose father Jon Hoekema is prayer shepherd of the CRCNA, was prompted to come to synod by his dad.
“I had never thought of it before, but as I dwelt on it more, I realized that I would be able to provide a unique young adult voice in synod—not just because of my age, but because of the way my engineering brain thinks through things.”
Serving as a young adult representative isn’t only for those planning to go into ministry. He wanted to attend to learn more about the ecclesiastical process and get a feel for the future of the denomination. Hoekema attends Horizon Community Church in Downers Grove, Ill.
Corey Viss from Immanuel CRC in Ripon, Calif., said it was a joy “to break bread with, sing, and laugh with my brothers and sisters in Christ” as he attended synod for the first time.
Though his experience had been “overwhelmingly positive,” Viss had noticed a “concerning trend” in some of the discussions and debates.
“I have been hearing countless pragmatic and emotional arguments that the CRC should be the church we want it to be. I think that is a great error. Instead of casting our own vision for the church, should we not be working together to ensure that sinners in our church, our communities, and our world behold Christ and are converted through the lively preaching of his Word and conformed into his image so that he may have the glory?”
“I was told this week, ‘You young people are our hope.’ To be frank, we are not your hope, brothers and sisters. Christ is. Look to him; believe in him; and let us together exalt his name and live all of life to the glory of our High King, because he alone is worthy.”
Benjamin Haan from First Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, Iowa, attended for the first time as a young adult representative, and his father, Matthew Haan, was a delegate for Classis Iakota.
“This experience has shown me the true importance of the church,” Haan said. It was a blessing “to know that people care so deeply for the generation after them. That they are willing to be bold and well-spoken to give us, the youth, a clear image of the future.”
Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, met June 12-18 on the campus of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Go to crcna.org/synod for the livestream, photos, reports, and a live blog of synod proceedings and decisions. Find daily news and our video Synod Recap at thebanner.org/synod.