The Banner put out a call this autumn for artists to send their videos showing off original music, poetry, paradies, and spoken-word art, and we were thrilled by the response. So many of our readers sent performances of music and poetry they had written. See below for the submissions that made the cut. Let us know in the comments which one is your favorite!
Juliana Emmanuel Bileya
Christian Reformed Church-Nigeria, LCC Sabongida-Tukura, Kurmi, Taraba, Nigeria
I am a CRC-N Pastor's wife in Nigeria. I write and sing my songs.
Christy J. Olsen
Cragmor CRC
I hope churches can use this music to bring glory to God!
Norberto E. Wolf
Rosewood CRC in Befflower CA
I graduated from Calvin Seminary in 1967 and served as a pastor in my native Argentina until 1990.
Carter Heerema
Rockpoint Community Church (North Haledon, NJ)
I’m a 22 year old from NJ and run a spoken word club called “Audacity” at Eastern University in PA!
Jayna Van Buiten
Rockpoint Community Church (North Haledon, NJ)
I’m a 22 year old getting my Master’s in social work that loves creative writing!
Regan Luth (The Crescent Sky)
City Collective Church (Langley, BC)
We are a band who unifies a passion for storytelling with a love of music and creative expression.
Peter Tigchelaar
First Hamilton CRC, churches throughout The Hammer, Mt Saviour Monastery etc.
Worship leader at First CRC; Benedictine Oblate; Companion of the Greater Ontario House of Prayer.
John Jay Frank
Westwood CRC
The Lord has given me some songs from scripture some personal testimony.
Elise Arsenault
Hamilton, ON (Still finding a home church)
Thank you for the invitation! What a special initiative.
Glenn Bulthuis Jr.
Oakhill Presbyterian Church...formerly at Sunsine and Calvin CRC
I grew up at the L.A. CRC. 35 years of concerts at Calvin College. Wrote these songs in Israel.
Brodie Burns
Sanibel Community Church
"Spoken word poet with a passion for vulnerable expression of the soul through lyrics."
James N Staal
Faith Community Christian Reformed Church
"I am a 72-year-old, lifelong musician as well as singer, songwriter and former keyboard player."
Richard DeRuiter
Alger Community Church (CRC)
"Pastor, teacher, worship leader, song-writer. "Come Home" is for the prodigal and the dutiful ones."
The Ruralists
Covenant CRC - Sioux Center, Iowa
"We're an indie band out of NWIA that has been playing shows and making records since 2015."
Nicholas Engbers, Sioux Falls, SD
The Ransom Church
"I write songs for the American working man, because that's what I am, and that's who I care about."
Kevin Watkins, Surrey, B.C.
Hope Community Church
"Played guitar at church plant of Hope Community church in 1988. Thirty-one years later, worship leader in our own building."
Rory Fry, San Jose CA
San Jose Christian Reformed Church
"I’m just a guy who likes to write songs for Jesus."
Chuck Gibbons
Ebenezer CRC, Jarvis ON
"Enjoy playing and writing music. Other hobbies include baseball, golf, hockey and time with family."
Joel Jupp, West Chicago IL
Lombard CRC
"Worship leader, college professor, and editor. Recorded this with my son. Cool idea. Thanks for supporting independent art!"