Sea to Sea Tour Remembers Pastor

Sea to Sea participants will pay special tribute to Rev. Mark Van’t Hof today on the tour’s last day in Michigan. The 47-year-old pastor of Grosse Pointe Park Christian Reformed Church near Detroit would have loved to join the Sea to Sea Bike Tour but felt he couldn’t spare the time from his work. Instead, he supported the rides of others. In February he died suddenly of a heart attack.

Home Missions to Fund 20 New Churches

More than a dozen multicultural ministries are among the 20 new churches that Christian Reformed Home Missions will help to start in the fiscal year 2008–09.

Agencies Link Missions to Creation Care

Two agencies of the Christian Reformed Church in North America joined with Calvin College this summer to develop approaches that will ensure that care for creation is included in the work they do at home and abroad.

Huge Rally Launches Final Leg of Tour

Families, friends and supporters of Sea to Sea tour riders turned out in droves on Sunday to take part in a high-energy, more than 90-minute-long celebration rally at Fifth Third Ballpark in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Riders Get a Glimpse Into Cycle of Poverty

A handful of Sea to Sea riders will have an opportunity on Wednesday to see just what their bike tour is really all about when a local resident leads them through impoverished neighborhoods in Gary, Indiana.

Cadet Camporee Evacuated

More than 1,300 teenage boys and youth leaders from churches across the United States and Canada had to be evacuated this week from a park north of Toronto due to heavy rain that turned the ground at their remote campsite into a sea of mud.

WARC, Disciples of Christ Talk Unity

A meeting of World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and Disciples Ecumenical Consultative Council (DECC) leaders should pave the way for a closer relationship between the two organizations.

Office of Social Justice Gives 'Green Grants'

As more attention is given every day to environmental concerns, many Christians are beginning to discover a connection between their faith and their relationship to the created world – consumption, stewardship, and caretaking.

Conference Offers Christ to Urban Youth

Pastor Jeffrey Hough opened the first morning of the annual Urban Youth Conference with a rousing, roof-rattling request.

Finding Faithfulness on the Journey

Sea to Sea riders continue their cross-country trek on Monday that this week will take them from Wisconsin, through Illinois and part of Indiana before moving into Michigan, where next weekend's Celebration Rally will occur at a minor league baseball park in Grand Rapids.

Sea to Sea Riders Aided by Tailwind

A good night’s sleep, cooler temperatures and a tailwind was the right mixture to boost the morale of the Sea to Sea cycling troupe.

Calvin Professor Views Writer's Legacy

Edward Ericson, Jr., a Calvin College professor of English emeritus, has been answering calls from news outlets all over the world since the death on Sunday of Russian writer Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn, whose works are widely credited with influencing the downfall of the Soviet regime.

CRWRC Celebrates $48 Billion for AIDS Relief

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is joining with the AERDO HIV/AIDS Alliance to celebrate President George W. Bush’s reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

BGMI Focuses Beyond Olympic Gold

Many of the world's news outlets will be focusing on China with the start of this week's Beijing Olympics.

Chicago Pastor Offers New Approach To Worship

Pastor Ed Rockett has a vision of using music, dance, drama and theater as a way to address the needs of people attending Sunday worship at his new Christian Reformed Church congregation on the south side of Chicago, Ill.

Sea to Sea Celebration Set for Dordt College

Having left Nebraska in their wake on Monday, Sea to Sea riders were to arrive in Sioux Center, Iowa, on Tuesday in time to participate in a ministry fair and community celebration on the campus of Dordt College.

Sea to Sea Riders Reach Halfway Mark

The Sea to Sea Bike Tour will pass its midway point across North America today and cyclists and support crew members are still going strong.

Sea to Sea Riders Leave the Rockies

Sea to Sea cyclists have officially put the Rocky Mountains behind them and today are pedaling 93m miles across fairly flat landscape to McCook, Colo.

Youth 'Field Test' New CT Curriculum

Almost two dozen young people, a few of whom asked tough questions about the role of religion in their lives, helped to field test a new curriculum for "Living Your Faith in a Messed-up World: A Look at the Contemporary Testimony."

Calvin College Makes Top-College List

Calvin College has been included in the 2009 edition of The Princeton Review's annual college guide Best 368 Colleges. Only about 15 percent of the U.S.'s four-year colleges are included in the guide which was first published in 1992.

Stewardship is 'Giving to a Friend'

Popular musician Ken Medema and has joined with Pastor Mark L. Vincent to offer an approach to giving that is helping to revolutionize the way in which people think about stewardship.

Here Comes the Sun

Under a sweltering, Colorado sun, Sea to Sea riders and others attending a service in a high school stadium in Englewood, Col., heard a message from Rev. Jerry Dykstra about facing life's challenges.

CRC Praises Zimbabwe Progress

A coalition of church organizations that includes the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), of which the Christian Reformed Church in North America is a member, has congratulated the signatories of an agreement that paves the way for the sharing of power in Zimbabwe.

Interim Director for Home Missions Named

The Christian Reformed Church in North America on Friday announced that Ben Vandezande will take over this fall as interim director of Christian Reformed Home Missions.

Next Stop Denver

After a grueling, seven-mile climb, Sea to Sea riders reached and rode over Rabbit Ears Pass on Thursday and then took a steep downhill journey along the east side of the pass into Kremmling, Colo., where they spent the night.

20 Summers for SERVE

For the last 20 summers, a ministry program called SERVE has helped thousands of young people enhance their Christian faith by involving them in service projects in communities across the United States and Canada. They have also done volunteer work abroad.

Service Offers Relief from the Road

Between 30 and 50 Sea to Sea cyclists and support staff gather each week in a circle around a candle-lit cross. Some read Bible verses. Some play instruments. All participate in worship and prayer.

The Spirit 'Rains' at Evangelism Conference

It poured rain all day this past Saturday outside of the conference center in Lombard, Ill., at which 500-plus people gathered for an event presented by Christian Reformed Home Missions.

Calvin's Huizenga Center Nears Opening

In late August 2008, Calvin College will open for limited use its new Huizenga Tennis and Track Center, the first completed component of the college’s $50 million re-envisioned athletic facility: the Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex.

CRC Calls Attention to Abortion Rhetoric

The Canadian Ministries Office of the Christian Reformed Church in North America has sent a letter to its constituent church councils, calling attention to the "most unfortunate" decision to award the Order of Canada to Dr. Henry Morgantaler, a prominent abortion rights activist.

Meditations for Baby-Boomers at 60

James C. Schaap weaves together personal history, commentary, and reflections on the psalms in his new book Sixty at Sixty, a heartfelt rendering of how God has accompanied the writer through six decades of life.

Altitude Affects Some Cyclists

The thin air high in the Rocky Mountains took its toll on some Sea to Sea cyclists yesterday as they reached almost 10,000 feet about sea level.

God Shines on Sea to Sea Riders

Storm clouds massed in the sky outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday afternoon as Sea to Sea riders got ready to worship in a state park with members of two local Christian Reformed churches.

Safe and Sound

So far so good, in terms of injuries, for Sea to Sea riders.

CRC Missionaries Undergo Orientation

More than 20 men and women who plan to serve on a range of overseas mission fields underwent several days of in-depth orientation and training this week in the Grand Rapids, Mich., office of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

CRWRC Official Applauds G8 Commitments

Andrew Ryskamp, director of the CRWRC's U.S. office, says he was relieved to see leaders of the world's wealthiest countries, the G8, recently pledge to maintain their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.

Wrong Turns in the Right Direction

A few Sea to Sea cyclists took wrong turns on desert roads on Tuesday. But it wasn’t long before they found the right route, which took them to Gooding, Idaho, where they spent the night.

Calvin Prof Focuses on Faith and Politics

Recently, reporters from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and USA Today have sought the opinion of Calvin professor of political science and director of the Paul B. Henry Institute, Corwin Smidt.

Pastor Works to Open Doors in East Harlem

New York City’s East Harlem, also know as “El Barrio,” is a working-class community in northern Manhattan marked by poverty, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, and a high teenage pregnancy rate.

Biking Across the 'desolate' Desert

Riding through the hot, desert landscape of western Idaho on Monday, Nathan Beach says he was able to appreciate more fully the green landscape of Michigan, where the Sea to Sea rider lives.

Riders Work, Rest and Play in Boise

Along with Sunday's Celebration Rally in a downtown park, the Sea to Sea tour’s weekend stop in Boise had two other special events on its schedule: a volunteer service project and a time to distribute mail from home.

Full-steam Ahead for the Rockies

Sunburned but gaining in strength, stamina and fellowship, Sea to Sea riders have begun the third week of their tour across the United States and part of Canada to raise awareness of and funds to fight poverty.

Sea to Sea Riders Trek Through Tough Terrain

Sea to Sea riders, plagued by technical problems that prevent some of them from connecting as frequently with the outside world as they would like, continue their trek east, traveling on Friday from Huntington to Ontario, Ore.

Entrada Students Await Graduation

For the past four weeks 64 high school students from Grand Rapids and across the continent have lived at Calvin College as part of the 2008 Entrada Scholars Program. On Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m. in Gezon Auditorium, those students will be part of an emotional Entrada graduation ceremony.

Three Cyclists Join for an ‘Epic Ride’

Sea to Sea riders continue heading southeast today on course for Boise, Idaho this weekend. Today’s 46 mile (74 km) leg from Baker City to Huntington looks to be a short, fast ride along the rolling hills of Oregon.

Conversation with Philosopher Alvin Plantinga

Alvin Plantinga holds the John A. O’Brien Chair of Philosophy and is director of the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame. He taught at Calvin for twenty years and is a '54 graduate of the college. Plantinga returned to campus last week for a seminar on science, philosophy and belief hosted by Calvin College.

Synod 2008 Made History

Synod 2008 was something of a paradox. It was historic and ordinary at the same time, says Rev. Jerry Dykstra, executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

CRC Asks Prayers for Zimbabwe

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is asking its congregations to join with fellow Christians in Africa this weekend to pray for a resolution to the ongoing political crisis in Zimbabwe.

Sea to Sea Riders Volunteer to Fight Poverty

Even as they are battling the heat and hills and the weariness, some Sea to Sea riders are also aiming to work this weekend at a rescue mission in Boise, Idaho.

Pastor Forms Bible Study at Barbershop

Rev. Rik Stevenson didn’t simply use his time in the barber chair to get a wash and trim. Instead, he took the opportunity to witness to the young men hanging around the place.

Sea to Sea Cyclists Tackle the Desert

Sea to Sea rider Gayle Harrison was up by 5 a.m. on Tuesday and getting ready for the 57-mile trip through the flat desert landscape of western Oregon on the way to La Grande, where she and the other riders will spend the night.

Sea to Sea Riders Head for Oregon

Packing up and leaving their camp site near the banks of the Columbia River, Sea to Sea cyclists headed off Monday morning on the second week of their cross-country tour that today will take them into Oregon.

Sea to Sea Riders Travel Yakima Valley

After two days of steep climbing through the Cascade Mountains, Sea to Sea riders were looking forward to a fairly level ride on the 42-mile trip from Ellensburg to Yakima, Wash.

Sea to Sea Riders Tell of Stunning Beauty

After a grueling day Tuesday in which Sea to Sea riders had to conquer their first mountain pass, they hit the road on Wednesday morning for the 58-mile trek to Ellensburg, Wash.

Sea to Sea Riders Face First Challenge

Sea to Sea cyclists left their camp on a baseball diamond in Sultan, Wash., early on Tuesday and began their trek up a winding road toward Stevens Pass, the first major challenge on the cross-country bicycle tour that began Sunday with special prayers and a service in Seattle, Wash.

Kids Corner Gets a Lizard Facelift

Children are bombarded with messages and images that promise fun, happiness, friends and toys. The Internet, radio, and television provide any and all kinds of information that help shape children.

Congregations Reflect Worship Trends

An array of innovative Christian ministries in the United States and Canada were featured recently on poster-board displays on the campus of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Pastor-Church Director Worked for Healing

As director of Pastor-Church Relations for the Christian Reformed Church in North America, Rev. Duane Visser had the role of trying to intervene and, if possible, help to heal rifts between a church and its pastor or other ministry staff.

Sea to Sea Riders Begin Cross-Country Trek

Clad in bright yellow jerseys, 144 cyclists dipped the tires of their bicycles in the Pacific Ocean on Monday morning before pedaling off on the first leg of the Sea to Sea 2008 Bike Tour.

Two CRC Congregations Win National Grant

The Fund for Theological Education has given a $12,000 leadership development grant to a pair of Christian Reformed Church in North America congregations that have been working together in youth ministry, according to a press release sent out this week by the FTE.

CRC Asian Pastors Seek Connections

One of the biggest challenges facing many Southeast Asian congregations in the Christian Reformed Church in North America is finding a way to maintain traditional values while making the transition from a first-generation church into one is relevant for youth.

Home Missions Helps Conferees Fight Fuel Cost

Even though gas prices continue to climb at an alarming rate, plenty of people will still be heading to Lombard, Ill., next month for In Community, Christian Reformed Home Missions' Small Group & Evangelism Conference.

CRC/RCA Join in Disability Concerns Outreach

By early next year, The Christian Reformed Church in North America will be providing office space at its Grand Rapids location for a new specialized ministry of the Reformed Church in America.

Executive Director Discusses State of the CRC

The Christian Reformed Church in North America will be able to face the challenges of an uncertain future as long as it continues to rely on God's grace for guidance and direction, says Rev. Jerry Dykstra, executive director of the CRCNA.

Synod 2008 Wrap-up: Decisions at a Glance

A summary of the key decisions, discussions, and stories that made up Synod 2008.

Synod Speaks

Synod isn't just a group of delegates meeting to make decisions. It is men and women who love the Lord, from various cultures and ethnicities, coming together to speak their minds and hearts. Here are a few of the memorable quotes from Synod 2008.

Synod 2008 Closes a Week of Unity

Synod 2008 came to a close on Thursday night with prayer and songs and gracious words for all who attended what Rev. Joel Boot, synod president, called an historic occasion in the life of the Christian Reformed Church.

Synod Urges Action to Resolve Zimbabwe Crisis

Synod 2008 today passed a resolution urging the governments of Canada, of the United States and of South Africa, and church leaders across Africa and North America, to take emergency diplomatic action.

Synod Votes to Redefine Relationship with PCN

Synod 2008 voted on Thursday to try to redefine and perhaps rebuild the relationship between the Christian Reformed Church and what was the Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (GKN), now a part of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PCN).

Synod 2008 Seeks Balance on Women in Office

Synod tried to show sensitivity to both sides of the women-in-office issue as it made decisions this week.

Synod Asks for Revision of Abuse Report

While acknowledging that it is important to minister to victims of abuse, Synod decided on Thursday morning to send the report of the Abuse Victim Task Force back for further refinement.

Synod Hears from Fraternal Delegates

Synod yesterday received greetings from a number of fraternal delegates, representing denominations with which the Christian Reformed Church is in ecclesiastical fellowship.

Synod Calls for More Work on Revising FOS

Synod last night called for more work on updating of the Form of Subscription, a document that members must sign to hold office as pastors, elders or deacons in the Christian Reformed Church.

Synod Appoints Vanden Berg to Seminary Post

Synod 2008 last evening approved the appointment of Mary Lynn Vanden Berg to a position as assistant professor of systematic theology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Synod Asked for Input on Faith Formation

Synod heard today from the Faith Formation Committee, which is studying the biblical teaching and current pastoral practices around participation in the Lord's Supper and public profession of faith.

Synod Adopts Revised Contemporary Testimony

Concerned about the need to speak to the issues of the day in strong but biblical language, Synod 2008 adopted a newly revised version of "Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony."

CRWRC Responding to Iowa Floods

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee disaster relief workers are helping to assess the damage caused by wide-spread flooding in large parts of Iowa.

Back to God Name Goes International

After nearly 70 years as The Back to God Hour, the electronic media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America has changed its name to reflect the growing diversity in the ways it brings the gospel message to people around the world.

Synod Celebrates 53 Candidates for Ministry

Delegates to Synod 2008 this morning celebrated the declaration of 53 new candidates for ministry of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church.

Synod Changes Name of Back to God Hour

Synod 2008 last night approved changing the name of The Back to God Hour, the media outreach ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, to Back to God Ministries International.

Synod Invited to Celebrate God's Work

Rev. Paul Mpindi helped to open the plenary session of Synod 2008 on Monday morning by calling on delegates to focus on God’s wide-ranging mandate to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Nigeria Peace Taking Hold, Church Leaders Say

A 2006 peace agreement, brokered with help from the Christian Reformed Church in North America, continues to help bring stability and hope to the tribal people living in Takum, Nigeria, African church leaders say.

Retiring Chaplaincy Director Honored

Rev. Herman Keizer, Jr. told the crowd gathered around him on the campus of Calvin Theological Seminary about a dying man with whom he prayed on the battlefield many years ago in Vietnam.

Synod Holds Service Prayer and Praise

A mixture of praise music, hymns and a simple but challenging message about God's love for his people filled the Calvin College Chapel during Sunday's service of prayer and praise for Synod 2008.

Synod 2008 Opens Historic Session

Synod 2008 made history today by welcoming omen as delegates and then by electing a woman to its executive.

Faith Alive Director Marvels at the Mystery

Gary Mulder helped to guide the Christian Reformed Church in North America's publishing ministry through a plethora of changes over the last 24 years. He says he found the experience fascinating and fulfilling.

CRC Students Discuss Their Faith on Campus

Once a month, University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) campus ministers Neil and Virginia Lettinga entertain about a dozen students at their home for lunch. In addition to breaking bread together, the group studies the Bible and shares their experiences as students.

Young Couple Speak of Africa Ministry

Although they are both under the age of 30, Phil and Christa Grabowski are seasoned community-development workers in the African countries of Malawi and Mozambique.

What to Watch for at Synod 2008

For the first time in the 151-year history of the Christian Reformed Church, women will be among the delegates to the denomination's annual synod.

Protestant Voters Show Democratic Shift

Evangelical Christians in the United States, including members of the Christian Reformed Church, have historically tended to vote for the Republican candidate in presidential elections, according to a recent survey.

Synod 2008 Starts on Saturday, June 14

The annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America will take place June 14 to 21, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

BTGH Responds to Earthquake Survivors

Rev. Jimmy Lin and his Back to God Hour (BTGH) ministry team have been reaching out to the people who live in Sichuan, the Chinese province that recently was devastated by an earthquake.

Luncheon to Honor Retiring Directors

Back in the late 1960s, Rev. John Rozeboom was thinking of a career that would likely have led him into the classroom to teach theology to would-be ministers.

BTGH Supports New Pop-Radio Strategy

A Christian Reformed congregation in New Hampshire is using advertising to spread the gospel via the Web site of a popular, Top-40 radio station, with support from The Back to God Hour, the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Cyclists Excited to Ride and Serve

Many of the 221 cyclists riding in this summer’s cross-country "Sea to Sea Bike Tour" will also participate in community service projects in cities and towns along the route once they've finished putting in their miles for the day.

Partners Worldwide Earns 'Exceptional' Rating

Partners Worldwide, a faith-based business development ministry based in Grand Rapids, Mich., has earned its fifth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.

Book Chronicles 'Sea to Sea 2005' Ride

Rev. Peter Slofstra writes about battling heat, bugs, exhaustion and truck traffic in his new book, "A Sea to Sea Odyssey," the compelling account of the bicycle trip that he and more than 150 other riders took across Canada in 2005.

Deadly Tornado Kills CRC Couple in Iowa

Two members of Parkersburg Christian Reformed Church in northeast Iowa were killed on Sunday when a mile-wide tornado - the deadliest twister to touch down in the area in 40 years - tore through their town of 1,900 residents.

Calvin College to Host 22 Chinese Scholars

A group of 22 Chinese graduate students and professors will be traveling to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to attend a four-week seminar from June 23 to July 18 on science, philosophy and belief.

Synod Asked to Bolster Abuse Program

A report coming to Synod 2008 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America "has significant implications for how we minister to victims of abuse," says Rev. Jerry Dykstra, executive director of the CRC.

Campus Chaplains Work on the 'Front Lines'

Christian Reformed Church in North America campus chaplains who serve in public universities are on the front lines of advocating for the Christian faith, a Calvin College philosopher and writer told a group of campus chaplains this week.

CRC Posts Answers for Aid to Burma

In the wake of the devastating cyclone that hit Burma/Myanmar earlier this month, the Christian Reformed Church in North America has posted a list of questions and answers to how people can donate to the cause of helping the thousands of victims of the storm.

Calvin Board Wraps Up Spring Meeting

The 31-member Calvin College board of trustees concluded its spring meetings late last week by, among other things, approving a new policy that allows certain public safety employees to carry a firearm.

Home Missions Starts Church in Florida

Carlos Palacios left his native Peru after serving in the army during a dangerous and volatile time of terrorism and chaos.

Walls Going up for Ministry Center in Brazil

The pilings are in and the walls are starting to take shape at a new, more than $1 million ministry center that will serve the outreach efforts of The Back to God Hour in Brazil. The BTGH is the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Having Fun with Ministry Shares

The just-released Ministry Shares video shows only a hand drawing simple, stick-figure images to help explain what for many people can be a confusing program for raising funds in the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Church-Plant Planned for Michigan Prison

Several Christian Reformed Church congregationsin West Michigan are working with Christian Reformed Home Missions to plant a new church—and possibly two congregations—in Michigan correctional facilities later this year.

Sea to Sea Riders Take a Practice Run

Sea to Sea bicyclists bowed their heads to pray before they got on their bikes to take part in a weekend training session along hilly country roads in Allegan County, Mich.

Dual Disasters Keep CRC Staff Busy

Assistance from international relief agencies, including the Christian Reformed Church in North America, is beginning to trickle in to help hundreds of thousands of people who were left homeless by Cyclone Nargis, the devastating storm that hit the coast of Burma/Myanmar on May 3.

CRC Assessing Needs in Burma

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is joining with other faith-based relief agencies to help the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless by last week’s devastating cyclone in Burma/Myanmar

Kenyans Returning Home

Nyamuhu Kabogo is pleased that the Kenyan government has begun to resettle thousands of the people who fled their homes after violence swept the country following a controversial presidential election.

Non-traditional Church Moves to New Building

When Rev. Michael Laird started North Shore Chapel in Danvers, Mass., in 2002, he wanted to find a worship location that would attract people who had given up on church or religion.

Sea to Sea Devotional Book Coming

Riders, organizers and supporters of the Sea to Sea Bike Tour 2008 are more than halfway toward the goal of raising $1.5 million to fight poverty worldwide. A new devotional book titled “Shifting Gears” will soon be available for purchase to help support riders on the trek. Also for sale are shirts and wristbands to commemorate the event.

New Director for Pastor-Church Relations

The Board of Trustees for the Christian Reformed Church in North America has named Rev. Norman Thomasma as the new director of the Office of Pastor-Church Relations.

The Banner Wins Awards

The Banner, the monthly magazine of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, received four awards from The Associated Church Press for editorial and design excellence.

CRC Collaborates in New Ministry

A group of Christian construction specialists has linked with the Christian Reformed Church in North America to help congregations in countries such as Haiti and Honduras construct church buildings using volunteer labor and donated materials.

Reaching out to the Romas

Conference Looks at Belhar Confession

More than 100 Christian Reformed Church in North America pastors and others gathered in Kalamazoo, Mich. late last week to reflect on the themes of racial unity, justice and reconciliation contained in the Belhar Confession.

Home Missions Seeks to Grow Campus Ministry

Christian Reformed Home Missions is seeking to expand its campus ministry program on the campuses of colleges in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

Running a Good Race in Boston

The cramps hit as Rev. Jon Huizenga began jogging downhill on the final six-mile section of the Boston Marathon earlier this week.

Finding God's Guidance in Politics

Just in time to spark discussion during the 2008 presidential election season, Calvin College political scientist Steve Monsma has come out with a new book titled "Healing for a Broken World."

Healing in Kenya

Reformed Christians in Kenya are asked to help heal the nation following the violence that stemmed from a disputed presidential election.

Calvin Receives $1.1 Million Science Grant

Calvin College announced Tuesday morning that it has received a $1.1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to help the college expand opportunities in the sciences for its students and faculty as well as local high school students.

CRC Preparing Response to Food Crisis

Christian Reformed Church in North America agencies are busy working to develop a coordinated response to the crisis of rising food prices which is causing increasing hunger and political unrest in countries worldwide.

Korean-American Pastors Visit Graafschap CRC

When 16 Korean-American pastors toured Graafschap Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich., several weeks ago, the significance of the visit was not lost on Rev. Tong Park.

Erasing the Stain of Racism

In a presentation on Friday at Calvin College's Festival of Faith & Writing, author Edward Gilbreath said breaking down racial barriers requires that Christians be committed to opening themselves to the reality that everyone is equal in the eyes of God.

A Festival of Faith & Writing

Calvin College's Festival of Faith & Writing began on Thursday. Running through Saturday, it features presentations by novelists, poets, journalists, artists and musicians from around the world.

Sierra Leone CRC Sees Rise in Baptisms

Pastor John Phiri reports that March and early April were a busy time for baptisms in a handful of communities in a far-flung portion of northwest Sierra Leone.

CRC Launches 'Edgy' Radio Spot

The Back to God Hour, the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, has launched a new radio spot that features a daily message and an online video-blog conversation.

CRC Presents Black & Reformed Conference

"Reconciliation" is the theme of this year’s Black & Reformed Conference presented by Christian Reformed Home Missions.

Calvin College Approves New Gun Policy

Calvin College has approved a new Use of Force policy that includes allowing, for the first time in school history, select members of the campus safety staff to carry guns.

Rallies Set for Sea to Sea Bike Tour

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is finalizing its plans to host a series of spirit-packed Celebration Rallies in different cities during this summer's 2008 Sea to Sea Bike Tour.

Christian Reformed Church Urges Prayer

The Christian Reformed Church in North America called on Thursday for its church members to pray for Haiti, where skyrocketing prices of food and fuel have led to an eruption in violent protests, deaths, and an increase in the number of kidnappings.

Lighting the Olympic Flame

As the traditional torch for the upcoming summer Olympics in Beijing is being carried from country to country towards China, the Back to God Hour of the Christian Reformed Church in North America is working to bring another more enduring light to China.

New Testament Published in Pular

Christian Reformed Church missionaries have been busy in recent months distributing copies of a newly translated version of the New Testament to remote villages in the West African country of Guinea.

Cambodian CRC of Utah Looks for Support

Now that the burnt shell of their church structure has been demolished, members of the Cambodian Christian Reformed Church of Utah plan to move ahead to build a new home for themselves.

Terror Rises in Green Zone, says CRC Chaplain

Christian Reformed Church Army chaplain Rev. Gordon Terpstra says the horrible sound of rocket and mortar fire fills the air nearly every day in the Green Zone in Baghdad.

Iraqi Christians Face Mounting Violence

Jacob Kramer says the kidnapping and subsequent death of a Chaldean Catholic archbishop has made Iraq "even more unsafe and unwelcome for his followers and other Christians."

CRC Churches Connect to Campus Ministry

When University of Calgary campus pastor Paul Verhoef started his Wednesday Dinner Fellowship several years ago, he usually made a pot of soup for the small gathering of students.

CRC Executive Director Welcomes Papal Invite

Rev. Jerry Dykstra will be representing the Christian Reformed Church in North America at an ecumenical prayer service led by Pope Benedict XVI on April 18 in New York City.

Festival of Faith & Writing Coming to Calvin

Novelist Michael Chabon, Yann Martel, author of the “Life of Pi,” and children's author Katherine Paterson are among the constellation of novelists, poets, playwrights, illustrators, screenwriters, memoirists, graphic artists and others featured at the 2008 Festival of Faith & Writing, to be held April 17-19 at Calvin College.

A Spark of Divine Connection

Dale Dieleman recalls the day in 2005 when his work as Africa director for Worldwide Christian Schools of Grand Rapids, Mich. took him to a one-room apartment outside of Kampala, Uganda.

Refugee Sunday Focus Is on Iraq

Robart Farho and his family arrived in Toronto recently from Damascus, Syria, where they had been living for several years after fleeing from the war in Iraq.

Women Delegates to Serve at Synod 2008

For the first time in the more than 150-year history of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, women will serve as delegates to the denomination’s annual synod. Twenty-four of the 188 delegates who have been appointed to participate in Synod 2008 this June in Grand Rapids, Mich., are women, including seven female pastors.

Is God Calling You?

Trying to determine what career, vocation or even relationships God is calling a person to can be a difficult and confusing process, says Rev. Heidi DeJonge, pastor for discernment at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Seven Die in Nigeria Van Crash

Seven members of a Nigerian church with close ties to the Christian Reformed Church died in a traffic accident just before Easter when the van in which they were riding lost control and crashed into an embankment.

Christianity in Peril in Middle East

The worlds' oldest community of Christians is quickly dying off in the Middle East, and that is making it harder to build a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Calvin Professors Pen Guide to China

Two Calvin professors have written an unconventional travel guide to China, just in time for those going to the games of the XXIX Olympiad, to be held August 8-24, 2008, in Beijing.

Home Missions Holds Assessment Center

Christian Reformed Home Missions recently re-launched its Assessment Center for church planters, a three-day training event that had not been held for several years.

New Book on Ministry to the Chronically Ill

A new booklet titled "A Compassionate Journey" is available for churches that are interested in learning how best to support people in and outside of their congregations who are chronically ill or disabled.

Being Dutch and Christian Reformed

People inside and outside of the Christian Reformed Church have in recent years told the CRC to "burn its wooden shoes" and to become a multicultural and multiracial Reformed denomination, says Henk Aay, professor of Dutch Language and Culture at Calvin College.

Doctor Leaves $2 Million Legacy to CRC

Dr. Anne F. Oostendorp lived a quiet, low-key life as a physician and dedicated member of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.

SPE Project Sparks Movement of Excellence

A culture of sharing, friendship and commitment to life-long learning is developing among pastors in the Christian Reformed Church, says a report that evaluates the denomination’s Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program.

Calvin Hosts Art Exhibit

An exhibition of the work of renowned African-American artist and illustrator Kadir Nelson opens March 17 in the Center Art Gallery in Calvin College.

Small Group Ministry Leader Appointed

Christian Reformed Home Missions has appointed Canadian pastor and church planter Karen Wilk to lead its Small Group Ministry Development efforts.

Youth Exchange Program Plans ‘Mystery Trip’

North American youth have a chance to join with Ugandan young people next year to take a cross-cultural “mystery trip” to an undisclosed location in Africa.

Calvin College Offers Korean Lecture Series

A lecture series beginning later this month at Calvin College reflects the college's growing connections to the continent of Asia and specifically to North Korea.

Proposed New Form of Subscription Now Online

The Christian Reformed Church has posted on its web site a proposed new version of its Form of Subscription, the document that preachers, professors, evangelists, elders and deacons are asked to sign before beginning work for the church.

Calvin Professor Studies Drinking Water

News this week that pharmaceuticals can be found in the drinking water of 41 million Americans came as no surprise to Calvin College professor David Wunder.

A Dance of Recovery in Aceh

Watching the children of Blang Mee dance made Grace Wiebe realize that recovery from the devastating tsunami of 2004 is truly taking hold in the region of Aceh on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

CRC Home Missions Seeks Young Board Members

The Christian Reformed Church's Board of Home Missions has decided to look for two people under the age of 23 to serve as members on its board of directors.

Pizza Brought Them to Christ

You might say it was pizza that first brought them to Christ. Well, okay, it wasn't exactly the pizza, but God is using the Spotlight ministry in amazing ways to reach people with the gospel.

CRWRC Welcomes Committee Passage of HIV/AIDS

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee recently passed a bill that will help to continue the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS around the world, say staff of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC).

Missions Conferences Set

More than 50 people interested in learning more about cross-cultural missions work recently attended the first of three, one-day “IN the GO” missions conferences being put on across North America by Christian Reformed World Missions.

New History of Layman's League

John Gunnison was serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces in the central highlands of Vietnam in mid-1970 when he was given a plastic bag full of items sent overseas by the Christian Reformed Layman’s League. At the time, the Layman’s League, based in Grand Rapids, was busy every year shipping to soldiers in Vietnam thousands of bags that contained packages of Kool Aid, medicated hand wipes, a clean pair of socks, writing paper, a pencil, a copy of one of the Psalms and a portion of the New Testament.

Sierra Leone Gets New Bible

A dedication ceremony was held recently in Sierra Leone to celebrate the translation of the Bible into Kuranko, the language of people living in the northeast part of the West African country.

Pastor and Writer Rev. Jake Eppinga Dies

The Rev. Jacob Eppinga, a revered columnist for The Banner, popular speaker, and long-time Christian Reformed Church pastor, died Saturday at his home in Grand Rapids.

Calvin Professor Wins Grant

A Calvin College professor of Spanish has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study language acquisition in Chile and Mexico City.

Calvin Celebrates Women's History

Calvin College and the Grand Rapids Humanities Council are partnering on "Great Women, Great Voices," a project that will allow women to tell and preserve their important stories during Women's History Month.

CRC Officials Applaud Kenya Agreement

Rev. Mwaya Wa Kitavi's cell phone began ringing soon after the news broke this morning that the warring factions in Kenya had forged an anxiously awaited 50-50 power-sharing agreement.

CRC Members Travel to Jungle Outpost

People flocked to the banks of Nicaraguas Coco River as a group of Christian Reformed Church members from Canada sped by in two boats on their way to visit remote Miskito Indian villages.

Calvin Students Use Spring Break to Serve

Calvin College students and mentors will spend their upcoming spring break doing everything from urban ministry to hurricane relief.

Back to God Hour Reaches Millions in 2007

The Back to God Hour, the Christian Reformed Church’s worldwide electronic ministry, continues to grow its global reach as it shares the gospel, as evidenced by 6.5 million who reached out in various ways to contact the ministry in 2007. That’s an increase of 2.5 million contacts over 2006.

CRC Chaplain: More Prison Ministry Needed

Rev. Raymond Swierenga says he sees a great need for Christian Reformed pastors and congregations across the country to get more deeply involved in prison ministry.

CRC Releases Final Report on Eucharist

After 10 years of study, dialogue, and debate, the Christian Reformed Church in North America has released its final report that clarifies the CRC’s stance on the Lord’s Supper as it relates to the Roman Catholic Church.

Tents of Hope Draws Attention to Darfur

Multicolored hearts and other images of peace have been hand-painted on the exterior of the canvas “Tent of Hope” that currently sits in the atrium of the Christian Reformed Church offices in Grand Rapids.

Calvin College to Honor Missionary Couple

Scholar Discusses 19th Century Controversy

CRC Scholar Discusses 19th Century Controversy over Freemasonry

Partners Worldwide Provides Economic Support

Partners Worldwide Provides Economic Support

Booklet on Dangers of the Internet Available

Booklet on Dangers of the Internet Available for CRC Churches

Kenya Travel Re-Opened for CRC Constituents

CRC officials are again allowing church members to travel to Kenya for church work.

CRC Congregation Reaches out to Mayans

Inocencia had been bleeding on and off for many days before the medical missionary team from Sunshine Community Church in Grand Rapids arrived in the Mexican community of Xocenpich last year.

Institute Calls for Grant Applications

Christian Reformed Church congregations that are interested in bolstering the quality of their worship may want to consider applying for a Calvin Institute of Worship grant for 2009, says John Witvliet, the institute’s director.

One Campaign Official Offers Support

An official with the One Campaign, the global anti-poverty program backed by the rock star Bono, says the group strongly supports the Christian Reformed Church’s Sea to Sea Bike Tour 2008.

CRC Workers to Assess Tornado Response Needs

Christian Reformed Church disaster relief workers left Friday to assess the damage caused on Tuesday by fierce tornadoes that killed nearly 60 people and destroyed more than 500 homes and businesses in five Southern U.S. States.

Calvin College Names Top Teacher for 2008

A Calvin College professor of speech pathology and audiology has been named the college's 2008 recipient of the Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching.

Calvin Prof Earns Newbery Award

Calvin professor Gary Schmidt has won his second Newbery award for children’s literature.

CRC Staff in Kenya Are Safe, Unable To Work

CRC staff in Kenya is safe, but relief and development work has come to a halt or been cut back because of the violence.

Borgdorff Appointed President of REC

Rev. Peter Borgdorff, former executive director of the Christian Reformed Church, has been named president of the Reformed Ecumenical Council.

Churches Urged to Remember Heroism

Christian Reformed congregations are urged to take a moment this Sunday to remember four chaplains who died 65 years ago aboard the Dorchester, an army transport ship that sank in the frigid North Atlantic.

CRC in Canada urges Healing in Afghanistan

The Christian Reformed Church in Canada is ramping up its efforts to push for peace and reconciliation and an end to the war in Afghanistan.

CRC Reports Increase in Visa Problems

The Christian Reformed Church in North America has recently been faced with a range of immigration-related issues that have made it difficult for a few of its workers to move freely between the United States and Canada.

CRC Officials Fearful But Prayerful

Christian Reformed Church relief officials say they remain very concerned by the level of violence that continues to ebb and flow across parts of Kenya.

Calvin College to Join National Teach-in

Calvin College to participate in national teach-in on Thursday.

CRC's Executive Director Joins Ride

CRC executive director Jerry Dykstra and his wife, Linda, are joining the Sea to Sea bike tour, a CRC-sponsored event to fight global poverty.

Calvin Worship Institute Receives $7 Million

The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship received $7 million from the Lilly Foundation to support programs for worship renewal.

BTGH Reaches Out To Chinese Hungry for Gospel

People hungry for the gospel lined up to receive gifts of Christian literature from The Back to God Hour during a recent conference in Hong Kong.

Calvin to Hold Entrada Open House

Calvin College will hold an open house on Jan. 29 for its summer program for high school junior and senior students of color.

CRC Relief Workers Distribute Food

CRC relief workers are distributing food, water and other necessities in one of Nairobi's largest slums, where people are suffering from the violence that has wracked Kenya.

CRC Scholars Win Awards from Nagel Institute

Two scholars with ties to the Christian Reformed Church's mission efforts have been awarded fellowships to further their work in studying Christianity's impact on various cultures.

Worship Symposium to Offer Live Webcast

For the first time, the Calvin Symposium on Worship is offering Web visitors the chance to view a live video feed of one of its events.

Chaplain Asks Churches to Send Packages

CRC Chaplaincy director Herm Keizer is encouraging churches to send care packages to soldiers serving overseas in Afghanistan or Iraq.

CRC Africa Mission Leader Optimistic

Pastor Mwaya Wa Kitavi, a Christian Reformed World Missions leader for Africa, is optimistic that his homeland of Kenya will weather its current political crisis without plunging further into turmoil and violence.

Child Soldier Tells of Horror and Redemption

Calvin's January Series hears from best-selling author who fought as a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone.

Situation in Kenya Remains Tense

As tension in Kenya remains high, the CRC is asking for prayers for an end to the conflict and donations to help those who have been displaced by the violence.

Registration Deadline Nears for Symposium

The 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship will feature worship leaders, musicians and liturgical specialists from across the United States and Canada. Registration for the event ends Jan. 16.

Calvin to Debut New Lecture Series

On Jan. 18, Calvin College will debut a new lecture series about the just and merciful treatment of animals from a faith perspective.

CRC Provides Aid to Victims of Kenya Violence

The Christian Reformed Church is launching a long-term relief effort to assist thousands of people displaced by election-related violence in Kenya.

Calvin Interim Offers Unusual Courses

Calvin philosophy professor Kevin Corcoran's January Interim class in England attracted a surplus of applicants.

CRC Loan Fund Helps Make Ministry Happen

The CRC Loan Fund is celebrating 25 years of "helping ministry to happen" by offering low-interest loans to Christian Reformed congregations.

CRC Reaches Out in Prayer and Deed to Kenya

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is mobilizing its resources to raise support for persons whose houses were burned and looted—and in some cases whose family members were killed or raped—in the election-related violence that has swept Kenya in recent days.

CRC Creates Special Team to Monitor Violence

With several of their staff members in harm's way, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee officials on Monday called into action a special Emergency Response Team to monitor the unstable, and increasingly violent, situation in Kenya.

Joy Comes Out of Pain for Two CRCs

Members of Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids say they got the best Christmas gift ever—and it came in an unexpected, even miraculous way from Godwin Heights CRC, their mother church.

CRC Printing Plant Employee Retires

Tim Reitsma's more than 40-year tenure at the Christian Reformed Church in North America's printing plant comes to an end on Dec. 31, less than a month before the operation itself is scheduled to close its doors for good.

CRC Celebrates 150 Years of Ministry in 2007

The Christian Reformed Church in North America celebrated its 150th birthday in 2007—a year in which the denomination reached out and responded to a range of local and world events in a variety of ways.

Australia Churches Launch Evangelism Campaign

A national advertising campaign sponsored by several denominations aims to renew public interest in Christianity, says the Australian Bible Society.

Congregations Use Special Advent Liturgies

In recent decades there has been a huge increase in the number of Christian Reformed churches that make special preparations to celebrate seasons of the church year, especially Advent and Lent.

Congregation Turns Parsonage into Group Home

A wonderful—perhaps even groundbreaking—example of a church reaching out to people with disabilities came to life this year at Westview Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Savilla's Christmas

Savilla is a young girl in Indonesia who knows the real meaning of Christmas.

Chaplains Reach Out To Many at Christmas

Christian Reformed Church chaplains will be ministering this holiday season to people facing many challenges in a wide range of settings.

Helping the Needy—With Humility

Walk humbly, put yourself in the background and have faith in others if you want to work successfully with needy persons, Benedict and Kathleen Schwartz told a group of supporters at the Christian Reformed Church offices in Grand Rapids.

Calvin to Host Faith & Development Conference

Calvin College will welcome 400 young people from around the country next month for the third annual Faith and International Development conference.

Glorifying God by Creating Better Software

A Calvin computer science professor has created a professional journal that focuses on the link between Christian faith and software development.

CRC, RCA Join Hands for Sea to Sea Tour

The Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church in America are asking members of their respective denominations to help fight poverty by supporting next summer’s Sea to Sea Bike Tour across North America.

Calvin Oratorio's 'Messiah' to Air on PBS

One of the country's longest-running performances of Handel's “Messiah” will be seen across the United States for the first time ever this month thanks to an evolving relationship between Calvin College and WGVU Television.

Student's Bible Web Site Reaches Worldwide

A Calvin College student’s religious Web site, begun when he was in middle school, has hundreds of thousands of visitors a year from around the world.

Activists Take Up Cry for Justice

Human rights lawyer Dioniso Diaz Garcia was shot to death a year ago as he drove to court to in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to seek justice for workers being employed and, he contended, exploited by private security companies.

Fair Trade Figurines Tell the Nativity Story

Jolanda Malburg was struck by the beauty and joy of the Christmas season as she gazed at the Nativity scenes inside Global Gifts, a CRC-supported, fair trade business in West Michigan.

CRWRC Launches 'Embrace AIDS' Campaign

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee on Friday announced a wide-ranging, two-year "Embrace AIDS" Campaign with a goal of raising $3 million to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS and ease the suffering.

Calvin Presents Fair-Trade Fair

Vendors of fair-trade goods will sell their wares on the Calvin College campus December 4-5, including a woman who crochets handbags out of plastic grocery bags from Meijer.

CRC Seeks to Help Church Rebuild after Fire

Two Christian Reformed Church agencies have sent a letter to pastors and others, asking churches to give an offering and muster volunteers to help the Cambodian CRC in West Valley, Utah, recover from a fire that gutted its building in October.

Leaders Hone Skills at HM Workshop

A group of Christian Reformed Church ministers are honing their speaking skills by attending a series of seminars on a wide range of topics.

CRC Prepares to Stage Bike Tour

Cyclists will begin the Sea to Sea tour—a fundraiser to fight poverty—on June 28 in Seattle, Wash., and end nine weeks later in Jersey City, N.J. on Aug. 30, 2008.

CRC Offers Christmas Gifts with a Difference

During this time of tinsel, Christmas lights and celebrations, the Christian Reformed Church is once again offering some unique gift-giving choices.

More Food Aid Going to Cyclone Survivors

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is extending its response to the devastating cyclone that struck Bangladesh on Nov. 15.

Calvin Staff Member Wins Equity Award

A Calvin College staff member has earned an award from the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO).

Faith Alive Adjusts To Higher Canadian Dollar

Faith Alive Christian Resources will soon begin a new billing system that makes automatic monthly adjustments to Canadian prices based on the rate of exchange with the U.S. dollar.

Pastors Explore Role of Media in Evangelism

A group of Christian Reformed Church pastors and communications specialists met recently at Calvin College to discuss fresh, media-savvy ways of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

CRC Staff Join in Nigeria Peace Walk

Together with many other believers from across Nigeria, two Christian Reformed Church workers are taking part in an unprecedented, 10-day peace walk. The walk, which began today, commemorates the first anniversary of the Takum Peace Agreement.

Calvin Prof Authors Advent Meditations

A Calvin professor of English has written a book of meditations for the Advent season.

The Forgotten Church

A reflection by Bob Heerspink, director of the Back to God Hour.

Calvin Prof Wins Kenyan Literature Awards

A Calvin faculty member has won a duo of prestigious Kenyan literature awards.

Grant to Fund Integrating Spiritual Practices

A $56,000 grant to Calvin College will fund a project on integrating spiritual practices into the Christian classroom.

CRC Works with Mexican Partner to Aid Victims

The Christian Reformed Church is working with the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico, the CRC’s largest partner in Mexico, to provide aid to families affected by severe flooding in the city of Villahermosa.

CRWRC Responds to Mexico Floods

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) plans to provide food aid to 500 families affected by heavy flooding in southeastern Mexico.

CRC Prayer Line Goes Online

People with a heart for the Christian Reformed Church and its ministries can now read the latest prayer requests posted on the CRC’s Prayer Line simply by checking their e-mail.

Exhibit Spotlights Women and HIV/AIDS

Three Calvin organizations are teaming up to host a walk-through photo exhibition that spotlights the gender inequity inherent in global HIV/AIDS.

CRC to Close Its Grand Rapids Printing Plant

The Christian Reformed Church in North America announced today that it will close its Grand Rapids printing plant operations effective mid-January 2008 and move much of the work to RBC Ministries, also in Grand Rapids.

Fire Destroys Cambodian CRC Building in Utah

hree young people have been arrested for setting a fire that gutted a large house that the Cambodian Christian Reformed Church in West Valley, Utah, was transforming into offices and classrooms.

CRWRC Plans Response to California Wildfires

While exhausted firefighters continue to fight deadly wildfires that burned in California this week, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee's Disaster Response Services (DRS) is assessing ways to help.

Calvin Students Organize GuluWalk

Calvin students were among 30,000 people from 100 U.S. cities and 15 countries taking part in GuluWalk recently to raise awareness about the 20-year civil war in Uganda.

CRC Names Pastor as Director

The Christian Reformed Church in North America has picked a veteran pastor to lead the work of finding and training its future ministers.

Reformed Groups to Create New Global Body

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches has agreed to unite with the Reformed Ecumenical Council to create a new “global entity” that will group 80 million Reformed Christians.

Calvin Board Concludes Fall Meetings

The Calvin College Board of Trustees wrapped up its fall meetings on Oct. 20, concluding two-plus days of business that included both plenary sessions and committee meetings and reports.

CRWRC Receives $1.5 Million to Fight Malaria

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is among the first five relief and development agencies to receive a $1.5 million Malaria Communities Program grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Chicago Pastor to Lead CRC Church Planting

Rev. Jul Medenblik will lead the newly-created bi-national church planting team for Christian Reformed Home Missions.

Book Helps Spiritual Development of Kids

A new book from an education professor at Calvin College is aimed at helping the church nurture the spiritual development of children.

Calvin Gets Grant to Inspire Entrepreneurs

Calvin College has landed a $50,000 grant to inspire entrepreneurship in engineering students.

Calvin 'Unlearn Week' Targets Racism

Calvin College is planning a variety of activities for October 7-12 to educate Calvin students, faculty and staff about anti-racism and diversity.

Three Generations of Listeners 'Down Under'

Australian Richard Geluk receives weekly Back to God Hour messages in a way his grandparents could not imagine - via the Internet.

Seminary Receives $2-Million Gift

Calvin Theological Seminary has received its largest single gift ever—$2,050,000—and it’s all going to students.

Trinity Christian College Names New Chaplain

Trinity Christian College has appointed Dr. Bill Van Groningen to be its new campus chaplain.

Book by Calvin Profs Sheds Light on Origins

A new book from Calvin professors Deborah and Loren Haarsma is intended to help Christians who want to better understand the often controversial issues connected with life’s origins and development.

January Series to Hit the Road in 2008

Calvin College’s award-winning January Series will hit the road in January 2008.

New CD Celebrates Calvin’s Gospel Choir

The Gospel Choir at Calvin is releasing a new CD, celebrating 10 years of live performances.

Haitian Church Leader Killed

Odenor St. Cyr, the long-time director of the Haitian Program for Training Diaconal Organizations (PWOFOD), was shot to death in Port au Prince last Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Calvin's $150 Million Fundraising Campaign

Just the second fundraising campaign in Calvin’s history will kick off next week with a $150 million goal that includes significant dollars for endowment, a new campus commons, a renovation of the venerable Calvin Fine Arts Center and much more.

Calvin Gets $50k for DNA Research

Calvin College has received almost $50,000 to purchase a state-of-the-art DNA sequencer.

Calvin Appoints Director of Campus Wellness

Calvin has hired a veteran wellness expert to lead its expanding programs for faculty and staff.

Calvin Receives Grant to Build Supercomputer

A Calvin computer science professor has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to build a supercomputer.

Calvin Prof Writes Book on Deadly Sins

A Calvin course on the seven deadly sins is being turned into a book for teens and young adults.