The Banner

Jul Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, recalls praying in January 2018 with a graduate who was returning to China to work at an unregistered seminary. This seminary had been vandalized, and the government ultimately ended worship services at the church affiliated with the seminary. It would be a tough job, and Medenblik prayed that God would be with the graduate.

Set for Aug. 1-3 in Windsor, Ont., at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts, Inspire 2019 will be a great time of worship and fellowship as well as a chance to learn about ways in which the Christian Reformed Church is offering the gospel message to people around the world.

Canadians engage in a week of lively national literary debate hosted by the CBC. 

With luminous illustrations, Robert Frost’s iconic poem is set in a picture book for the first time. 

We had just crossed the border from Michigan into Ontario. I was driving a van filled with seven college student worship leaders, and one of the guys piped up, “It’s two hours till we're back on campus. I’d like everyone to name their favorite Bible verse and explain why it matters to you.”

The deacons say that most people are paying electronically. I’ve even heard of churches that allow people to swipe a credit card in the service. Isn’t this undermining the worshipful nature of the offering?

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based child welfare organization recently agreed to allow placing foster children with same-sex couples in its home state after a lengthy legal challenge.

Prompted by concern for their neighbors, the community care ministry team at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Berwyn, Ill., hosted “March into Wellness” this spring, grouping different healthcare providers in one place for easy access.

Bud Ipema leaves a 60-year legacy of urban ministry and the promotion of racial reconciliation and social justice. He died on April 14.

A pastor for 58 years, Barry Blankers was gentle, humble, godly, wise, and a genuine role model who tried to live what he preached.

A six-hour miniseries details the lives, loves, and losses of a riveting cast of iconic characters. 

The veteran rock band’s fourth album includes themes of religion, harmony, and hypocrisy. 

Illustrated songs by the late Mister Rogers convey to children that they are treasured. 

We live in an often confusing, ever shifting, and broken world. We see changes happening dramatically in seemingly accelerated ways. How ought the church to respond?

Joanna Gaines presents a lyrical children’s book about the joys and challenges of gardening.  

The life of Simon Peter shows how God makes amazing use of flawed disciples. 

Owens’ near-death experience last year informs empowering, faith-boosting lyrics. 

변화 자체는 총회연구위원회가 언급할 수 있는 것이 아닙니다. 

우리는 개혁주의 전통에 주신 풍성한 지성의 은사에 대해 하나님께 감사해야 합니다.

Born in 1959 as Ha-Jin, Lee was the fourth son of a struggling atheistic family in South Korea, a country still recovering from the Korean War. With Ha-Jin’s birth, nine people lived in their small house.

We can’t see God with our eyes. But God has made amazing things we can see that show us something about our awesome God. God created towering mountains and blazing stars and all sorts of wild and wonderful animals, and God gave us incredible eyes to see it all!

During retirement we are called to discern the varied ways our new status can become an opportunity to be of service to others—our children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, churches, and wider communities.

In a time of rising suicide, religious communities move beyond condemnation to care. Writer Elizabeth Evans shares the Plank family’s story.