Connectors Equip Congregations
Ten denominational staff, known as "connectors," come alongside congregations and ministry leaders to connect them with resources and relationships to help them flourish.
Meet your Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry Connector, Ron deVries
Affinity Group Connectors are the point people for our Hispanic, Korean, and youth/young adult members. This article introduces Ron deVries who is our Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry connector
Meet Your Canada East Connector, Becky
Regional Connectors are available to support your congregation and ministry leaders by connecting them with denominational resources so you can thrive in the ministry God has given you. Meet Becky who serves the Canada East region!
Prison Ministry as an Essential Discipleship Opportunity
Crossroads Prison Ministries embodies the powerful convergence of two biblical mandates: make disciples and care for those in prison.
Meet Your Great Lakes Region Connector, Idella
Regional Connectors are available to support your congregation and ministry leaders by connecting them with denominational resources so you can thrive in the ministry God has given you. Meet Idella Winfield who serves the Great Lakes region of the U.S!
"Disability Isn't Our Thing"
Why every church is called to be a place of belonging for those with disabilities.
Meet Your Canada West Regional Connector, Liz
Regional Connectors are available to support your congregation and ministry leaders by connecting them with denominational resources so you can thrive in the ministry God has given you. Meet Liz Tolkamp who serves the Canada West region!
How the Building Blocks of Faith Can Transform Your Children's Ministry
This article lists a small collection of resources for strengthening faith formation in your congregation and at home.
Preparing for Retirement from Ministry
As you think about retiring, you would be wise to take time regularly to sit back and reflect on your ministry career, your identity, and your hopes for the future.
Meet Your US West Regional Connector, Elaine!
Regional Connectors are available to support your congregation and ministry leaders by connecting them with denominational resources so you can thrive in the ministry God has given you. Meet Elaine Lee who serves the US West region!
Young Adults Participate in Vision-Casting Trip
In May, 29 young adults from North America visited four locations in Europe with a simple purpose: to see what God is up to.
Meet Your Hispanic Connector, Aura!
Affinity Group Connectors are the point people for our Hispanic, Korean, and youth/young adult members. Meet Aura who serves Hispanic churches within the denomination.
Meet Your US Central Region Connector, Trudy!
Regional Connectors are available to support your congregation and ministry leaders by connecting them with denominational resources so you can thrive in the ministry God has given you. Meet Trudy Ash who serves the US Central region!
Engaging in Renewal
As we look at the ministries of the Christian Reformed Church, we see renewal happening in countless ways at multiple levels.
Resources for Disability Awareness Sunday
Disability Awareness Sunday is celebrated on October 13 in all RCA churches and on October 20 in all CRC churches. This year’s theme is the fully accessible church. Thrive has some ideas to help a church as they plan for this special sunday..
New Refugee Resettlement Opportunity for US Churches
Thrive has partnered with Exodus World Service, an accredited Private Sponsor Organization that mobilizes the Christian community to welcome and befriend refugees.
Schoon Departs as Thrive Codirector
After 21 years of service with the CRCNA, Chris Schoon is stepping away from his role as codirector of Thrive.
Sunday School After a Flood
After a flood destroyed $2,000 worth of Sunday school materials at a church in Iowa, a grant made it possible for the congregation to receive replacements at no charge.
Back to School Roundtable Recording
Thrive facilitated a conversation about "back to school" worship practices for fall with several worship directors.
Rising Up at Pease CRC
At Pease (Minn.) CRC, Kennedy Van Zee smiled, rocked back and forth in her wheelchair, and moved her arms in time with the music as she sang with some 20 other girls.
30 Years of Abuse Prevention
In 1994 the CRCNA started an Office of Abuse Prevention. Thirty years later, the denomination continues to equip congregations in abuse awareness, prevention, and response.
Braille Resources Find Home
Braille resources, including a Bible, some creeds and confessions, and a machine to create braille resources have been shared with CRC members for use in ministry.
Pastors Gather at Revelation 7 Retreat
In April, over 40 pastors gathered in Anaheim, Calif., for the Revelation 7 Pastors Retreat.
Thrive Hosts Creative Worship Listening Session
What if we engaged in worship without relying on words?
Breaking Barriers to Accessibility in Ministry
It takes intentionality and a willingness to examine the barriers to access that exist in our systems, our architecture, our communication, and our attitudes.
Bringing Leaders and Congregations Together
On Ascension Day three congregations in Kalamazoo, Mich., joined together for worship. It was an example of what can happen when church leaders connect.
Thrive Launches Updated Retirement Resource
A newly updated resource from Thrive is designed to support pastors who are asking questions and navigating challenges about retirement.
Scholarship Recipients Host Chapel Service
Two recipients of a Multiracial Scholarship from Thrive helped lead a weekly chapel service at Calvin Theological Seminary.
CRC Members Gather for Renewal
Sixty-one people from five classes met in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minn., to study Scripture, share their stories, and discover where God is at work both in their congregations and in the denomination as a whole.
Examining Your Own Dance Floor
In the years of serving in my role as a Youth and Emerging Adult ministry consultant, I have had many conversations with youth leaders, youth pastors, councils and congregations about the complexities of finding, hiring/calling, and/or recruiting people
Leading Worship in a Trauma-informed Way
The question led all of us into a moment of silence and deep reflection.
Resources for Trinity Sunday 2024
Trinity Sunday falls on the Sunday after Pentecost. In 2024, that day will be May 26.
Disability Advocate Calls for Inclusion
Greg Yoder’s goal is for every congregation in his classis to have a disability advocate by the end of 2024.
Prayer for Asylum Seekers at the US Border
"I was a stranger and you welcomed me..." (Matthew 25)
Renewal to Be Focus of Classis Gatherings
Over the next 18 months, 10 events will be held in various locations with an emphasis on storytelling and church renewal.
The Future Looks Bright
World-changers from every generation live and work among us. Here are a few young people we’ve seen do interesting and inspiring things for God’s kingdom.
A Tale of Two Congregations
Since 2021, St. Luke AME Zion Church has been sharing Calvin CRC’s sanctuary in Grand Rapids, Mich. The two congregations have even started joint services.
Extend Your Influence and Impact for Generations to Come: Giving to Thrive in Your Will
Have you considered giving to Thrive in your will? By doing so, you will model to your loved ones a steadfast commitment to financial stewardship, charitable giving and building God’s Kingdom.
Pastors Practice Spiritual Resting
When busyness is worn as a badge of honor, the choice to seek rest can feel counterintuitive or even wasteful. Deep rest requires intentionality, self-compassion, and practice—lots of practice.
Thrive Cosponsors MLK Celebration
A rescheduled Martin Luther King, Jr., Day community worship event turned out to be a special occasion filled with faith, justice, and unity.
Universal Design: A Church Building for Everybody
Monroe Community Church (CRC) in downtown Grand Rapids, MI, had the unique opportunity of renovating a 17,400 sf, uninsulated, raw, 1963 industrial building into their new church home.
Continued Prayers for Peace in the Middle East
The past few months in the Middle East have been marked by intense violence, death and destruction. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in close to over 23,000 people killed and over 59,000 wounded.
Providing Support on the Path to Stability
“Probably the most difficult thing in my role is to decenter myself and to find the center in the other person and in God's work in them.”
