In Memoriam: Rev. Dick M. Stravers
A much-loved pastor with a passion for justice and desire for a better world, Dick Stravers was a kind and compassionate man. He died Jan. 12 at age 98.
Stories from people, congregations and ministries of the CRCNA, including reporting from The Banner's news editor and freelance correspondents, Classis Watch, pastor memoriams, By the Numbers, Community Snapshots, and Church Worldwide news from the Religion News Service. Send news tips to news@thebanner.org.
A much-loved pastor with a passion for justice and desire for a better world, Dick Stravers was a kind and compassionate man. He died Jan. 12 at age 98.
A year-old women’s evangelistic training ministry developed out of the Multiplication Network is equipping Global Coffee Break participants to reach unchurched friends, neighbors, and family members.
Remembered as a bridge-builder with a kind, thoughtful demeanor, Neil Vriend’s ordained ministry included churches in Ontario and Alberta. He died Dec. 18 at age 93.
Catholic leaders, pastors and families say the joint U.S.-Nigeria strikes feel like long-overdue recognition of their suffering, and a fragile test of whether safety will finally follow.
Martin, a former leader at the American Bible Society who was named CEO in November, says the magazine will focus on building a healthy culture, telling redemptive stories, and pursuing civil dialogue in evangelicalism's big tent.
Founder and a long-time leader of Roseland Christian Ministries, who “bore witness to the heart of the gospel,” Tony Van Zanten died Dec. 15 at age 86.
A humble, faithful servant of the Lord who proclaimed the gospel over radio and television for more than 30 years, Joel Nederhood died Dec. 2 at age 94.
A pastor, evangelist, and church planter known for his kindness, Stephen Jung was a man of quiet confidence who cared for many. He died Nov. 30 at age 100.
Widely known for books such as What's So Amazing About Grace? and Where Is God When It Hurts?, Yancey announced his stepping down from ministry in a letter to longtime publishing partner Christianity Today.
Classis Quinte has laid aside its proposal to convene an ecclesiastical assembly, noting the previously established Canadian National Gathering already aims “to have conversations of mutual concern.”
A church about to mark 75 years in 2026 still has a 49-panel mural made to celebrate 50 years of service and community in Christ.
Recipient of the 2025 Emerging Public Intellectual award, professor Katie Day Good will speak at Redeemer University about screens and stories in a fragmented age.”
In November Richard Gamble broke ground on the creation of a giant Möbius loop to stretch nearly the size of a football field and feature digitally linked testimonies to answered prayer.
A commitment to ministry includes a commitment to raising funds for career missionaries with Resonate Global Mission. One pastor with a discipleship mission for young adults thinks “there should be some ‘fun’ in fundraising.”
A denomination-wide conference on discipleship and leadership development in the Christian Reformed Church hopes to build momentum for the denomination’s church planting vision.
A Christian Reformed church leader from Highland, Ind., serving with a disability ministry in Kijabe, Kenya, believes she was led by the Spirit to bless one young man in particular.
After two years of little celebration due to the Israel-Hamas war, holiday festivities are slowly coming back to the Holy Land. But tourism remains limited.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America is pursuing “a vision, plan, strategy, and financial proposal for church planting
Dying at almost 93 years old, Rev. Jungkyu Park had lived a life of missionary service in Japan and to the Japanese diaspora.
A pastor and seminary administrator who served the Christian Reformed Church for more than 40 years, Bill Van Dyk is remembered as an excellent preacher and respected academic.
Christian Reformed Church general secretary Zachary King said he hoped the formalized close relationship would be a mutual blessing and encouragement.
Perhaps the first dually affiliated Christian Reformed and Alliance of Reformed churches congregation, Harrison (S.D.) Community Church is appreciating the benefits of being connected to both.
Joel H. Nederhood, who served the Christian Reformed Church’s radio and television ministry The Back to God Hour (now ReFrame Ministries) for 35 years, has died at 94.
“We are all invited to overcome the scandal of the divisions that unfortunately still exist and to nurture the desire for unity for which the Lord Jesus prayed and gave his life,” Pope Leo XIV said on a visit to the site of the 325 Council of Nicaea.