A day after learning of the recent deaths of three members of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria, Synod 2014 sent a resolution of support to church leaders in the violence-torn country.
The CRC has historic ties with the CRC of Nigeria, where it has long been engaged in mission, relief, and development work. Synod 1969 sent a resolution of concern to churches in Nigeria near the end of the Biafran War.
Wednesday’s resolution was addressed to Rev. Caleb Ahima, president of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria and a Calvin Theological Seminary graduate. It referred to Ahima’s previous report of “the very challenging and trying times in which our Lord has called you to serve him.”
“We grieve with you and all in the CRCN the loss of a pastor, your finance director, and others close to you but unknown to us,” the resolution read. “We promise to continue calling God’s people within the Christian Reformed Church in North America, all across Canada and the United States, to stand with you in prayer, imploring our heavenly Father
—to bless your nation with justice, peace, and mercy, and to end the mayhem you now endure;
—to comfort all who have lost people dear to them;
—to restore the basics of life to those who have lost homes and properties;
—to enable you to stand firm in the faith and to live for him in the challenging and trying times in which he has placed you.”
Synod 2014 is meeting at Central College in Pella, Iowa, from June 13-19. For continuous Banner coverage, please follow The Banner on Facebook or @crcbanner on Twitter. You can find more tweeting by following hashtag #crcsynod. News stories will be posted at www.thebanner.org several times daily. For CRC Communications releases, webcast, and live blogging, please visit www.crcna.org/synod. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are by Karen Huttenga.
