Allen Bultman was a humble, hardworking, and compassionate pastor who served Christian Reformed congregations since 1959. He passed away on March 8 at the age of 89.

World War II veteran, military policeman, minister, chaplain, pastoral counselor, and missionary Ben Ypma lived a full and joyful life. He died on March 7, a month after his hundredth birthday.

The Banner has received Awards of Merit for a denominational magazine in both digital and print categories, and seven higher goals awards in design, individual articles, blogs, and poetry published in 2018.

Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional group of churches. Here is the report of classis meetings of the past few months.

For the third year, groups in Medicine Hat, Alta., concerned for the state of the family, held an annual conference. Medicine Hat Christian Reformed Church was the 2019 host.

Seven classes (regional groups of churches) have registered their objection to three of the 32 recommendations coming from the Synod Review Task Force to Synod 2019, the annual leadership meeting of the Christian Reformed Church.

The Indigenous Family Centre in Winnipeg, Man., an urban aboriginal ministry operated by the Christian Reformed Church, had some help repurposing rooms this winter, creating space to promote healing and spiritual growth.

A state championship in boys basketball in March makes three sports in which Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville, Mich., has won the state title this academic year.

The National Trust for Canada, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving historic buildings, has stats and stories on how disused churches are being repurposed and saved from the wrecking ball

World Renew, a participant in Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program since the beginning, estimates that it has welcomed and resettled 7,500 refugees since 1979.

James Douma, a former rodeo rider and member of Discovery Christian Reformed Church in Bowmanville, Ont., has been building a part-time rodeo outreach ministry, encouraged by his pastor and supported by his church.

Since 1988 Camp Dunamis, a ministry of several Southern California Christian Reformed churches, has been bringing children together to celebrate differences and grow in Christ.

Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ont., has begun or announced several new initiatives, including a 42 percent drop in the cost of tuition.

Bev Sterk, a member of Second CRC in Lynden, Wash., has had opportunities to encourage the Christian Reformed Church to continue addressing abuse since bringing it to the fore at last year’s annual general assembly of the denomination. 

This month Sam Huizenga replaced Gary Bekker as director of Raise Up Global Ministries, the Christian Reformed Church’s unit of training programs working to raise up Christian leaders.

Ordained in 1954 and with a nearly 40-year career with the Christian Reformed Church, Earl Dykema passed away on March 1. He was 90 years old. 

A community garden at New Era (Mich.) Christian Reformed Church and its associated farmers’ market is making fresh veggies affordable for seniors and connecting neighbors.

Five Christian Reformed congregations in Grand Rapids, Mich., are hosting a series of workshops to help people learn how to reduce carbon emissions in their everyday lives.

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.