Sandra McCracken at Inspire 2022
Photo: Joani Veenstra, jcphotoservices.com
Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
August 24, 2022
“I’m so glad to be at Inspire at long last,” said Sandra McCracken, who had originally been scheduled to appear at a CRCNA Inspire event in 2021 before it was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tenn., came to Tinley Park, Ill., in August 2022 to lead a workshop and close out Inspire 2022 with a time of worship and reflection after three days of challenging and inspiring workshops and plenary sessions.
Bishop Zac Niringiye speaking at Inspire 2022.
Joani Veenstra jcphotoservices.com
One in Common Witness
August 16, 2022
Language matters. That was a key theme in the talk that Bishop Zac Niringiye, a retired bishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, gave to Inspire 2022 attendees on Aug. 6.
‘The Gift of the City’
August 16, 2022
In bright sunshine outside the Tinley Park (Ill.) Convention Center we gathered in a circle to listen to Joel Van Dyke, urban ministry leader for Resonate Global Mission, describe the “Workshop on Wheels” at Inspire 2022.
Sandra Van Opstal speaking at Inspire 2022
Joani Veenstra jcphotoservices.com
Pictures of Diversity and Unity
August 16, 2022
Murals, said Sandra Van Opstal, are sociocultural interpretations of people who have lived through something together. Van Opstal is a second-generation Latina pastor, activist, and author who shared with Inspire 2022 attendees how she likes to walk through her Chicago neighborhood and explore what the murals on buildings tell her.
Joel Van Dyke talks to workshop participants at Roseland Christian Ministries.
Chris Meehan
Reflecting on ‘The Gift of the City’
August 16, 2022
Joel Van Dyke, urban ministry leader for Resonate Global Mission, and Jodi Koeman, church with community leader for World Renew, organized and facilitated the “Workshop on Wheels,” which visited four inner-city ministries in Chicago during Inspire 2022.
Steve Argue speaking at Inspire 2022.
Photo: Joani Veenstra (jcphotoservices.com)
Ministry With Emerging Adults
August 10, 2022
Steve Argue spoke at Inspire 2022 on the topic “Inspired to Be One . . . Across the Generations.” This theme coincides with the second milestone of the CRCNA’s ministry plan, Our Journey 2025: “Listening to the voices of every generation, shaping us for ministry together.”
Teresa Jones speaking at the Race Relations 50th-anniversary dinner.
Photo: Kevin Hoeksema
Race Relations Celebrates 50 Years
August 10, 2022
Inspire 2022 provided the perfect opportunity to commemorate the work and blessings of God through Race Relations over the past fifty years.
Ruth Haley Barton (left), Rob Dixon (center), and Elaine May (right) at the dinner to celebrate 25 years of women’s ordination in the CRCNA.
Celebrating 25 Years of Women’s Ordination
August 10, 2022
About 70 men and women gathered at the Tinley Park (Ill.) Convention Center the day before Inspire 2022 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Synod 1995’s decision to allow the ordination of women to all church offices.
Ken Shigematsu speaking at Inspire 2022
Photo: Joani Veenstra (jcphotoservices.com)
Survival Habits for the Soul
August 10, 2022
“Ambition is a good thing, but when we start to feel the pressure to achieve things in order to feel that we’ve done enough or are good enough, it can become a burden,” said Ken Shigematsu, the opening speaker at Inspire 2022.
The Inspire choir in 2019.
Photo: Heather Brooks
Two Weeks Until Inspire!
July 20, 2022
Inspire 2022, beginning Aug. 4 in Tinley Park, Ill., is designed for anyone involved in a local CRC congregation – elders, deacons, pastors, administrators, worship leaders, Sunday school teachers, outreach coordinators, disability advocates, safe church teams, and more.
Workshops at Inspire 2019 provided attendees with a wealth of information relevant to their church roles.
Photo: Heather Brooks
Inspire Workshop Registration Opens
May 18, 2022
Spaces are filling up for specific workshops at Inspire 2022, and there are nearly 80 to choose from.
Members of the South African singing group Lufhalafhala
South African Group to Sing at Inspire
April 20, 2022
When six South African young people began singing together at a youth conference in 2016, they had no idea that their music would eventually take them to Chicago.
Gift of the City
April 13, 2022
Inspire 2022 attendees will have the opportunity to visit several Chicago-area ministries to learn about doing missions in urban centers.
Not Too Late to Be Inspired!
April 6, 2022
Early-bird and group discounts for the Aug. 4-6 event have now been extended through Apr. 30. It's not too late to sign up.
Inspire 2022: Workshops Cover a Range of Topics
March 16, 2022
A significant aspect of this year’s Inspire 2022 binational gathering are the workshops to be presented by ministry and worship leaders on a wide range of ideas, practices, and programs.
Pack your bags for Inspire 2022!
Inspire Offers Discounts and Worry-Free Registration
March 9, 2022
Thanks to a generous refund policy, plus early-bird and group discounts, you needn’t let COVID travel worries prevent you from registering for Inspire 2022.
Sandra McCracken
Sandra McCracken to Be at Inspire 2022
February 9, 2022
God has promised that in our times of struggle, crisis, and worry, he will lead us back to himself, says Sandra McCracken, and she believes he often uses Scripture and song to do so.
Biblical Faith Includes Biblical Justice
February 2, 2022
According to Sandra Maria Van Opstal, every small group should include a seven year old – we need people who are not afraid to ask questions and wonder why.
