Roger Van Harn, an ordained pastor of the Christian Reformed Church for 42 years, died on Feb. 9. He was 86.

This spring The Banner is saying goodbye to two longtime staff members. Kristy Quist is leaving the Mixed Media editor role March 22. Judy Hardy, associate editor, will retire May 31.

Jerry Frens, who was still active as a part-time chaplain, died unexpectedly and tragically on Feb. 15, after being struck by a vehicle near his home. He was 75.

First inspired by a summer music festival in South Dakota, Calvin Christian Reformed Church in Le Mars, Iowa, has been holding its winter Praise Band Fest for the past 15 years.

Resonate Global Mission, the mission agency of the Christian Reformed Church, will be consolidating the Canadian national director and U.S. national director positions into one position.

Rev. Joe Kamphuis, pastor of Chelwood Christian Reformed Church in Albuquerque, N.M., and chaplain to the New Mexico Air National Guard, will be deployed for six months to Kuwait this July.

An independent group of Christian leaders advising Willow Creek Community Church has found allegations of “sexually inappropriate words and actions” by church founder and former pastor Bill Hybels to be credible.

Fulfilling a task assigned by last year’s annual general gathering of the Christian Reformed Church, the denomination’s Council of Delegates has a plan to establish a Bible translation review committee.

Appointments to a committee intended to support and guide the Christian Reformed Church’s Office of Social Justice have been delayed due to an oversight in the nominating process.

A “pastor's pastor,” who displayed faithfulness and trust in God, Chris Schroeder died on January 19, six years following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.

Andrew Bandstra, professor emeritus of New Testament theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, loving and dedicated family man, and committed friend, died on Feb. 8 at the age of 92.

The Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church decided at its recent meeting to raise the salary scale of Canadian denominational employees. 

The Centre for Public Dialogue, a Canadian ministry of the CRC that focuses on dialogue with the Canadian government, had its 2019 work plan approved at the recent meeting of the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates. 

Discussion of Indigenous ministries in the U.S. and Canada came up in several conversations and reports at the recent meeting of the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Marge Kool, mother of six and grandmother of 19, says she’s more like a MOPS great-grandma than a “MOPS mom.” She’s a mentor for the Mothers of Preschoolers group at Covenant Hope Church in Battle Creek, Mich.

The United Methodist Church, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States, concluded its special session Tuesday, passing one of three proposals for the church to move forward together despite deep divides over the inclusion of LGBTQ members.

Warm hats and mittens are among the many tangible ways members of Rochester (N.Y.) Christian Reformed Church support John James Audubon School #33.

The Institute of Christian Studies, an interdisciplinary graduate school in Toronto, Ont., has a new location, deepening partnerships with other institutions, and a path toward financial stability.

After serving as a pastor for 40 years in Christian Reformed churches in four states and enjoying retirement in Spokane Valley, Wash., Herman Leestma passed away on January 17. He was 93.

From practicing a technology sabbath to instituting an intentional rest on an alternate day of the week, Jewish and Christian sabbath-keepers talk about the benefits.

When schools shut down because of winter storms, so do programs that provide food for students. Seymour Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., stood in for a local food pantry.

Schools in Canada and the U.S. have made different choices on codes of conduct and position statements related to human sexuality.

Throughout his life in both Cuba and the United States, in times of danger, fear, hunger, and uncertainty, Domingo Romero fully trusted in God. At age 88, he died on January 5.