Known for his ability to listen to understand, Dirk Evans was a pastor, hospital chaplain, and counselor with an evident love for others.

Reclaiming underutilized classrooms, storage spaces, and former nurseries, these spaces are empowering families to return to faith communities.

Synod 2025 encouraged continued experimentation in digital-based ministry. The Banner checks in with an online church plant.

The annual denomination survey asks respondents to select from 28 phrases in response to the prompt “To me, the term ‘Christian Reformed’ means ...”

“For some of our friends, this group has become a very important part of their week.”

Dykstra served as vice president of religion at the Lilly Endowment in Indianapolis, shepherding some 6,300 grants to congregations, denominations and divinity schools.

Graafschap CRC in Holland, Mich., was among the first congregations that joined to become the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Its July 4 community event includes heritage tours and family fun.

“For the Care of Creation” will be added to the existing list of 17 Masses for special civil needs.

A Congolese pastor in Arizona was looking for a church to host his immigrant congregation; a fellow pastor in Michigan said to find a Christian Reformed Church to help.

The Hartford Institute for Religion Research post-pandemic study of U.S. churchgoers found that 46% report active engagement with more than one church.

One of the first women to enroll in Calvin Theological Seminary, Nola Galluch, had a long career as a Christian counselor. She died May 10 at age 76.

With over 40 years of pastoring and serving different communities as chaplain, Jerry DeVries, a gentle and humble pastor, died May 30. He was 85.

Shiao Chong, editor of The Banner since 2016, is stepping down from that post. CRCNA leadership working with staff to maintain publishing. New editor search to come.

Synod 2025 danced between continuing trust and firming up guidelines.

A request to clarify the relationship among assemblies of the Christian Reformed Church has been deferred to yet another synod.

With a message from Luke 24, synod president Stephen Terpstra dismissed delegates with a hope for “overwhelming confidence, hope, and expectation” in what God is doing.

Denominational ministries were blessed and recognized at Synod 2025 as ministry leaders spoke about God moving in their work.

Synod 2025 voted overwhelmingly to restrict The Banner’s mandate to articles that support the denomination’s positions.

Speaking passionately about the vital role that church planting has in multiplying the church, Synod 2025 committed to strategizing a planting plan, including financial resources, over the next year.

The Christian Reformed Church will review its close relationship with the Reformed Church in America over the next five years.

Somewhat divided on the matter, Synod 2025 accepted six recommendations for ongoing experimentation of digital ministries.

The young adult representatives at Synod 2025 say they were encouraged and inspired by conversations and connections.

Lamenting a shortage of people to preach in all of the denomination’s churches, synod encouraged classes to help prepare individuals with a license to exhort by 2027.