2026 총회의 주요 두 안건: 교회개척과 갱신 10개년 계획 제안 및 그 비용과 교단 운영비를 어떻게 감당할 것인가.

Bethel Community CRC in Edmonton, Alta., launched in-person meals and conversation combined with in-between online resources to encourage families in home-based discipleship this year.

Actions of classes (regional groups of churches) in the past several months include nine candidates examined and approved for ministry, 33 ministers released from ministry, and 15 disaffiliated churches.

Derek Buikema, pastor of Orland Park (Ill.) Christian Reformed Church, is one of eight new pastors named to the now 52-member council of The Gospel Coalition.

“We are trying to stop the war from entering people’s hearts,” evangelical Christian preacher Francis Mbombo told Religion News Service.

Marv Vander Vliet, a pastor and mission leader in the Michigan juvenile justice system, “was a wise person with a deep understanding of God’s Word” who “loved people well.” He died May 20, 2025, at age 80.

A missionary who remained active in various Grand Rapids, Mich., ministries until his death at age 84. Epke Vander Berg died Feb. 27.

A pastor and broadcaster who served in ministries in Canada, the Netherlands, and Cyprus, Jack Hielema’s life was marked by deep care for people. He died March 10, at age 94.

A pastor, chaplain, and supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education, Jim Kok ‘was a giant of a man in both stature and kindness.’

Describing himself as a servant in terms of occupation, Matthew Le planted one Vietnamese congregation and served a merged congregation for 28 years. He died Jan. 27, 2025, at the age of 68.

A thoughtful, positive and encouraging pastor, Peter Breedveld’s life was defined by his faith in Christ. He died Feb. 2, just two weeks short of his 95th birthday.

Retiring as director of Thrive May 29, Lesli van Milligan looks back on 30 years of ministry.

As of June, Peter Noteboom, a commissioned pastor of the Christian Reformed Church, will complete his service as general secretary for The Canadian Council of Churches.

Ninety-six-year-old organist Mildred “Millie” Meyer has been playing for Bunde Christian Reformed Church in Clara City, Minn., for 82 years.

Rev. Kurt Selles plans to retire in July after 14 years as director of ReFrame Ministries, the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

Two of the biggest items on the Synod 2026 agenda: receiving a 10-year proposal for church planting and renewal and figuring out how to pay for that and the rest of the denomination’s costs.

Did you know the Christian Reformed Church synod has approved eight specific Bible translations for use in worship by Christian Reformed congregations?

“There are a lot of people in this world who have such a better quality of life because they were given a wheelchair”—volunteer Roger Feekes, Bethel CRC in Sioux Center, Iowa.