Connecting Campus Pastors and Church Planters

What happens when you mix a group of new Christian Reformed Home Missions (CRHM) campus pastors and church planters in the same room and ask them about their ministry vision? Excited and passionate voices erupt, as men and women share their hearts with each other.

That was the scene recently during CRHM’s orientation for new church planters and campus pastors. The annual three-day event, held at the Christian Reformed Church offices in Grand Rapids, Mich., introduces church planters and campus ministers to Home Missions, the Christian Reformed Church, and other CRC agencies, and helps encourage networking and resource sharing.

This year, CRHM brought 11 church planters and four campus ministers together for the orientation.

Carl and Jan Van Voorst, planters of Hope for Life Community Church in Watertown, S.D., found the orientation helpful in connecting them with others and offering insights and information they can use in their work.

"It truly was a wonderful and very helpful time for us. We now have many more friends that we can journey with as we bring the gospel to communities through new churches and on university campuses," said Carl Voorst.

“It was good to be introduced to many folks from the denomination who are praying for us, instructing us, and providing resources. Jan and I have identified about a dozen things we want to do differently or start doing. May our gracious God be glorified and blessed by our joint efforts."

"Attendees displayed an outward passion for the specific context and ministry God has called them to," said orientation planner Janice Buist. "What lingers after attendees depart for home is deep gratitude and a vibrant picture of the work God is doing through Home Missions.”

Another highlight this year was a presentation from CRHM Advancement Director Nate VanderStelt on raising resources for kingdom causes.