Heartland Churches Celebrate 150th

Twelve hundred worshipers from 11 congregations gathered at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, in June to celebrate the Christian Reformed Church’s 150th anniversary.

Rev. Dale Cooper, chaplain at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., challenged them, asking, “Who are we? And where are we going?”

Rachel Barkel, 19, a member of Hope CRC in Hull, Iowa, said, “I liked coming up for communion, involving the congregation.”

Marvin Scholten, 38, a member of Immanuel CRC in Orange City, Iowa, was also moved by the service. “I thought the evening, the singing, was awesome. The history is rich; God has had his hand of blessing on it,” he said.