News

Gary Bekker, who served as director of Christian Reformed World Missions from 2001 to 2017 and recently left the directorship of Raise Up Global Ministries, will retire this month.

For the 720 registrants at Inspire 2019, energy and uncertainty were in the air, anticipating inevitable change for the Christian Reformed Church. “Incarnational mission” was one of the themes explored.

A 114-year-old house in Grand Rapids, Mich., is getting a makeover to serve people previously without homes. The housing project is the mission of The Well House. A partnership with World Renew’s Disaster Response Services is providing labor. 

Close to 600 women gathered at the 50th annual GEMS Girls’ Clubs conference, meeting last week in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Members of Prosper Christian Reformed Church in Falmouth, Mich., are welcoming community members to a whole summer of anniversary celebrations.

Energetic, humble and approachable, John Klomps lived life as an adventure. He pastored four congregations and served in leadership of two Christian organizations. He died June 12 at the age of 85.

Missionary, pastor and social worker with a heart for the Lord, Ryan Veeneman died on May 30. He was 65.

Members of Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Beaverdam (Mich.) CRC are experimenting with community cookouts—inviting the neighbors to meet, eat, and be a part of something.

On July 9, a network of faith leaders released a statement, signed by more than 100 people, calling for three specific actions by the United States in relations with Iran. Christian Reformed Church director of ministries Colin Watson was one of the signatories.

The Christian Academy in Japan, a suburban Tokyo school founded in 1950 with Christian Reformed World Missions (now Resonate) as a founding partner, is investigating 66 cases of alleged past abuse of students at the school.

Rev. Sheila Holmes recently added ‘Crisis Intervention Chaplain’ to the community work she’s passionate about. Operation CeaseFire of Paterson, N.J., has recognized her for her lifelong work to end gun violence.

Pastor Justin Caruthers in Abbotsford, B.C. was glad to have his head shaved after church members rose to the challenge of bringing their Bibles to church. “It is imperative ... that everything that I say from the pulpit is weighed and measured against the holy words of Scripture,” he said.

A veteran of World War II who pastored five Christian Reformed congregations and preached until his 90th birthday, Harry Arnold died June 16.

Leighton (Iowa) CRC commemorated its 125th anniversary Oct. 21, 2018. The small congregation is still meeting and ministering in its community.

Pastors, church members and parishioners of neighboring churches gathered over two evenings in the Grand Rapids, Mich., neighborhood of Oakdale Park CRC to pray for safety and peace in the city.

Bill Brouwers, who died June 14, had been pastor to three Christian Reformed congregations and loved to share the love of Jesus and salvation through Christ.

The youth organization known for its SERVE mission trips started out as the American Federation of Reformed Young Men's Societies in 1919. 

Ted Brouwer, who served Christian Reformed churches in Iowa, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, died May 12 from pancreatic cancer. 

Incorporating sign language and worship dance into the public celebration of profession of faith, Covenant Life Church in Grand Haven, Mich., helped new members express their faith and belonging.

Times have changed in the Christian Reformed Church, and that was very much on display at Synod 2019, the annual leadership meeting of the CRC.