In Memoriam: Rev. John Gerrit Groen
A caring pastor and passionate evangelist, the ministry of John Groen, as one friend described, “centered around the truth that we are ‘dead to sin’ and ‘alive to God in Jesus Christ.’” He died Oct. 3, at age 93.
Stories from people, congregations and ministries of the CRCNA, reported by The Banner's news editor and a team of regular correspondents and Church Worldwide news from the Religion News Service. Send news tips to news@thebanner.org.
A caring pastor and passionate evangelist, the ministry of John Groen, as one friend described, “centered around the truth that we are ‘dead to sin’ and ‘alive to God in Jesus Christ.’” He died Oct. 3, at age 93.
In the last several months, 16 candidates were examined and approved for ministry, two churches moved from emerging to organized status, and five congregations disbanded or disaffiliated from the Christian Reformed Church.
The ecumenical policy advocacy coalition has been releasing regular statements since the October 7 Hamas attacks and shares, “We are grieved by the war between Israel and Hamas. There is still work to do for peace and justice.”
More than 100 organizations have partnered with Fuller Theological Seminary to address the loss of 1 million young people from faith each year.
“Stop thinking that the best use of your time is to advocate for something in politics, or advocate for something far away,” said Seth Kaplan, author of Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One ZIP Code at a Time.
A minister, a U.S. Army National Guard chaplain, and first director of the Christian Reformed Church’s Committee on Disability Concerns, Ted Verseput died Sept. 19. He was 96.
A modest, humble man with a great sense of humor, Fred Heslinga pastored six churches and was an active pastor of visitation until he died Sept. 26. He was 77.
The Oct. 11-13 meeting of the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates was the first for new Connections, Governance, and ministry committees, and a clearer delineation of ecclesiastical and organizational governance.
The Canada Ministry Board sets next Canada-wide Conversation, while the U.S. Ministry Board grants purchase and sale power for CRCNA building.
There has been no offer yet for the available property at 1700 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids, Mich., but the Christian Reformed Church’s U.S. Ministry Board has empowered its officers to act if there is one.
Indigenous Christian Fellowship in Regina, Sask., remade an empty, contaminated lot into an enclosed outdoor gathering space.
When Broken Walls, an internationally known Christian Indigenous band led by Jonathan Maracle, performed at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Belleville, Ont., it was the group’s first performance in Maracle’s home region.
Remembered as a caring, diligent shepherd who related to everyone with the heart of a father, teacher and friend, Rev. Ezra Ng died Nov. 1, 2022, just short of his 85th birthday.
The 2023 CRCNA Congregant Survey shows respondents pray or do devotions alone most of the time.
A pastor with a kind and gentle spirit who affirmed God's faithfulness and grace into the final days of his 99 years, Jack Matheis died Sept. 6.
Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, is among Christian post-secondary schools setting ‘a record for breaking records’ this year. Other Christian Reformed affiliated schools also report strong numbers.
New Life Church, a congregation of the Christian Reformed Church within the Newton (Iowa) Correctional Facility, has been back to worship post-pandemic for nine months. It’s feeling growing joys and pains.
‘We wanted to bridge a gap’ said NAE’s director of racial justice and reconciliation collaborative.
Eight Ontario churches and one in Iowa are helping each other over the next eight months to be “profoundly welcoming and hospitable to the LGBTQ+ community” while honoring the parameters of the CRC’s recent human sexuality report.
Named for a place where fresh water and salt water mix, Estuary is a movement of conversation groups, and Pastor Paul VanderKlay thinks every church should have one.
The Korean Christian Reformed Church of St. Louis (Mo.) is the first Korean congregation of the Christian Reformed Church in North America in the state.
A pastor with a great sense of humor who thought deeply about theology and loved communicating the gospel message, George Mossel died Aug. 21. He was 78.
A shared love for the culture of sacred music brought thousands of Christians to Keith and Kristyn Getty's Nashville, Tenn., hymn conference.
With a collection of memories captured on video, reflections from former pastors, and a celebratory dinner, First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, S.D., recognized its ministry centennial.