Synod 2025 heard from the directors of Resonate Global Mission and ReFrame Ministries about their work in missions, media ministry, and church building, and recognized the global impact of World Renew, the Christian Reformed Church’s relief and development agency.
Synod is the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It is meeting June 13-19 in Ancaster, Ont.
Kevin DeRaaf, director of Resonate, shared about the work Resonate is doing and the importance of supporting the ministry. DeRaaf said, “God keeps working his marvelous deeds among his people.” He said God is writing a big story “through us, despite us,” and he believes “God will even do greater things, if we let him.”
DeRaaf shared a testimony of Willowdale CRC in Toronto, Ont., baptizing 48 new Christians in one worship service. He commended delegate Christian Sebastia, Classis Rocky Mountain, who is supporting “a large and growing network of Venezuelan church plants in Houston (Texas) and beyond.”
“Resonate is not the hero in any of those stories,” DeRaaf said. “This is all part of God’s big story. But it’s God’s big story in our little denomination.”
Kevin called for a “a renewal of trust,” in order to build the church across cultures and in North America. He spoke of Isaiah 62 about the watchmen on the walls, the intercessors that pray for the coming of the kingdom. He sees this coming alive in Resonate ministries through people willing to pray and plead that God would be glorified. Kevin ended with calling the congregation to support Resonate.
Kurt Selles, director of ReFrame, spoke on behalf of the 86-year-old media ministry that began as “The Back to God Hour” in 1939. Selles shared about the growth of Reframe ministries from radio and print to later television and now multimedia. Gesturing to his smartphone Selles said, “This (device) can be used for bad and good, but I am grateful that I can use it for redemption.”
Synod took note of the difficult budgeting realities and the reduction in programs that ReFrame recently faced. Synod asked churches to consider offerings and support for Reframe Ministries.
Synod also encouraged support for World Renew, recognizing its global impact as a “life-changing ministry.”
Synod 2025, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is meeting June 13-19 on the campus of Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont. Find daily coverage from The Banner at TheBanner.org/synod. Visit crcna.org/synod for the agenda, advisory reports, recordings of plenary sessions, and to subscribe to the daily Synod News email.
About the Author
Isabelle Brown is a writer from Brampton, Ontario and a student at Redeemer University, where she is a reporter for The Crown. Her non-writing interests include painting and sketching.