In 2025, the board of directors for the Alliance of Reformed Churches voted to recognize the church in communion status with the Christian Reformed Church of North America, an invitation that had been extended by the CRCNA in 2024. Synod 2026 offered a prayer of thanksgiving for this affirmed relationship and also offered prayer for the churches and historic mission-partner denominations in Nigeria who have experienced displacement and violence.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the CRCNA. It is meeting June 12-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The designation of in communion is the closest ecumenical relationship the CRC has with church partners. Martin Spoelstra, Classis Quinte, expressed that he was “happy and joyful” to see this relationship with the Alliance of Reformed Churches acknowledged at synod. The two denominations have been in communion since the Alliance’s October vote.
Synod also offered a public prayer for church leaders and churches of mission-partner denominations in Nigeria who have been displaced, in upheaval, or have experienced degrees of violence over the past many years.
These mission partners, the Reformed Church of Christ for Nations (RCCN), the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN), and the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST) asked for prayers for their experiences in January. The difficult stories include attacks and kidnappings, land clashes, a separatist movement in the southwest, and Islamic insurgency in the northeast.
Zachary King, general secretary of the CRCNA, said the situations are quite complicated. Much of the violence had to do with gang relations or lawlessness, or tribal encounters. “It isn’t always religious violence, but is violence nonetheless.” King encouraged everyone to look at the stories, as some of the churches have been dispersed and the leaders have been affected. “They have actually had to send pastors to plant churches amongst the refugees.”
Jeremy Williamson, Classis Alberta South/Saskatchewan, shared that the conversation, “particularly hits close for me.” Williamson attended a mission trip to Nigeria 20 years ago with Christian Reformed World Missions, and in that time he needed to move his team to another city because of violent threats against them. “The suffering that they (the Nigerians) have gone through in 20 years is unimaginable. So I appreciate that this prayer is going out.”
John VanderWindt, Classis Quinte, who acknowledged, “Our church has grown significantly in its members from Nigeria,” said, “This is an important thing for us to remember, not just at this time, but in the weeks and the months to come as Nigeria continues to deal with this.”
John DeVries, Classis Holland, whose great-uncle Robert Recker was a missionary in Nigeria for years, was surprised that there hasn’t been more information on the things going on in Nigeria through our different denominational channels. “I don’t really see it sent out in a way that keeps us in touch with what's going on there.” DeVries encouraged that this be done as much as possible.
Williamson, VanderWindt, and DeVries led synod in prayers for safety and God’s presence and comfort for Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria, repentance over indifference to their struggles, and to thank the Lord for the ministry that is still able to go on in the midst of persecution.
Synod 2026, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is meeting 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.