Black & Reformed Conference to Celebrate Black CRC Pastors

The Christian Reformed Church Black & Reformed Conference 2015, set for April 30-May 2 in Muskegon, Mich., will take time to honor the handful of black pastors who have been ordained and served in the CRC over the years.

“These are people we need to say ‘thank you’ to,” said Rev. Bob Price, director of the urban ministries team for Christian Reformed Home Missions.

“Several of the pastors will be with us,” said Price. “The historic piece is noteworthy. We need to remember that those who have labored in this denomination are not that many.”

Price said there have been just over a dozen black pastors who have served in the CRC over the years.

Two of the pastors will also be speakers. They are trail-blazing CRC black pastors, both of whom helped to shape his own ministry, said Price.

They are Rev. Don C. Sherow and Rev. John A. Nash.

Sherow was ordained in the CRC in 1982 and ministered in churches in Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia. He is a songwriter, psalmist and accompanist.

Nash was ordained in the CRC in 1985. He planted Christ Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia in 1986. The church was organized in 1997. He has taught discipleship and leadership development at Beulah Heights University in Atlanta from 1986 to the present.

Sponsored by the Black & Reformed Urban Ministries of the CRC, the conference it titled “Disciples of All Nations” and will be held at Angel Community Church in Muskegon.

Also as part of the conference, said Price, they will take time to introduce and pray for Colin Watson Sr., a black man who is serving as the CRC’s new director of ministries and administration.

“It is fitting that we do this in this context,” said Price.

The conference will offer times of praise and worship, messages, a variety of workshops and words of greeting from several CRC leaders.

The conference begins April 30, 2015 at 4 p.m., and ends May 2 at 1 p.m. Registration contacts: [email protected] or [email protected].