Thrive’s resource series, Ten Ways, has a new look—and is now available in Spanish and Korean. This expansion makes the series more accessible to congregations, communities, and leaders across the CRCNA.“The growth of Spanish- and Korean-speaking congregations in the CRCNA is something to be celebra
As summer turns to fall and fall to winter, some of us have spring on our minds. In particular, what kinds of flowers would we like to see next April or May? There are two approaches to that question. The first is to scatter wildflower seeds. Another is to intentionally plant seeds or bulbs such as
Founded by Dutch immigrants from the Netherlands, the Christian Reformed Church in North America has long welcomed immigrant and ethnic communities. That legacy continues today in places such as Chin Christian Church of Kentwood, Mich.The seed of Chin Church was planted when three Burmese refugee fa
It was a chilly January morning in 2024 when Ada Christian Reformed Church, a predominantly white congregation of Dutch ancestry in Ada, Mich., welcomed a Chinese family. From that day on, Calvin Theological Seminary student Matthew Sun, his wife, and their four daughters found a warm and inviting h
An overwhelming sense of responsibility, accompanied by an equal amount of humility and a desire for anonymity, is what you get when asking Jan and Jim Jonker about their time as Today daily devotional delivery drivers for the past two decades.Their story is rooted in family legacy. Jim's father, Je
Mike Liang came to Calvin with a clear goal: to prepare to become a doctor.One year in, his goal hasn’t changed, but he says Calvin’s liberal arts education is giving him a broader perspective with direct value-adding benefits to his career path.“Calvin’s approach to education is preparing me well.
In Guatemala, about 46% of all children under the age of 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. Not only does this affect a child’s physical and mental health in the short-term, but it can also have long-term cognitive, social, and physical effects. Talking about nutritional issues and raising awarenes
“When I was looking for a seminary, I was looking for (one) that was pastorally relevant, academically rigorous, and community grounded,” said Sam Ha, a student at Calvin Theological Seminary. “When I was considering Calvin, a cloud of witnesses told me their experiences. And all their stories led t
A few months ago I was sitting in church on a Sunday morning when the testimony of a young man, who was professing his faith, enthralled me. A critical part of the story he told about why he was drawn to become a confessing member was the relationship he had with an older Christian man in his workpl
The future of the church is already being lived out in the lives of young people who are stepping into ministry, leadership, and service with fresh energy and vision. Across congregations, campuses, and mission fields, youth and young adults are reimagining what it means to be the church in today’s
When Gabe (age 11) sees the large microphones and the recording console, he is excited and determined to get to work. “I love how I am in a real studio, recording like a professional artist!” he said. His drama teacher recommended him, and his audition recording got him the job.Kids Corner, a progra
The Christian Reformed Church in Canada is actively looking toward its future, with key questions guiding its path: Who are we as a denomination in this time and place, and what is God calling us to do together?These questions will be at the heart of the next Canadian National Gathering, scheduled f
What does faith formation in missions look like? For Delaney Plumb, it meant serving with Resonate Global Mission’s Cohort for one year—and now she’s back serving in Central America long-term.Resonate’s Cohort is an opportunity for young adults to discern God’s calling on their lives, engage deeply
God’s message to King Solomon after the consecration of the temple in 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 is intriguing. Imagine this majestic edifice, the weeks of sacrifices, the songs, the celebrations, the awe of Yahweh’s shekinah glory descending upon and filling the temple. This is the high-water mark of Old
Many recently organized CRC churches—especially those planted in the past decade—struggle to secure a permanent location. Often meeting in schools or borrowing space from other congregations, these churches lack weekday visibility and face limitations in offering midweek programming. Rising land and
In 1876, a seed was planted—small, hopeful, and rooted in a bold vision: to equip students to be beacons of Christ’s promise to renew all things. From that beginning, Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary have grown into thriving institutions that have shaped generations of leaders for s
Since its founding almost 170 years ago, the Christian Reformed Church in North America has valued doing kingdom work together by creating and funding shared ministries in which all members and churches could take part. These ministries include those that plant churches or share the gospel via missi
Image:
In times of upheaval and uncertainty, there is a strong temptation to hunker down and look after your own. In churches this can happen when there is a difficult separation with a pastor or a painful division that results in members departing a congregation.While a certain amount of introspection is
Image:Image: