A Brief History of Christian Reformed World Missions
On June 18, 1888 the Hollandsche Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk, as the Christian Reformed Church in North America was called then, founded what today is known as Christian Reformed World Missions. The history of World Missions takes CRC missionaries from all over the U.S. and Canada to places like Japan, Nigeria, Nicaragua, and now to over 20 countries around the world (40 if you consider partnerships).
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On June 18, 1888, Synod appointed the Board of Heathen Missions. This unfortunate name was adopted to describe the initial mission work among Native American people within the boundaries of the United States.
The name was changed to the Board of Indian and Foreign Missions in 1924.
In 1964 the name was shortened to the Board of Foreign Missions.
Synod approved the name of Board for Christian Reformed World Missions in 1976.
1890s
Work among the Sioux people of South Dakota was initiated in 1890 but soon faltered.
Work among the Navajo and Zuni people of the American Southwest was initiated by this Board in 1896 and continues under the administration of Christian Reformed Home Missions to this day.
1920s
Johanna Veenstra arrived in Nigeria in 1920 under the auspices of Sudan United Mission.
A committee of Dr. Lee Huizenga and Rev. John De Korne reported its findings to the Synod of 1920 and recommended Nigeria for the initial overseas work of the denomination.
Synod chose to begin overseas work in China rather than Nigeria, and from 1920 to 1950 work was carried on there with much interest from the denomination.
The agency's name was changed in 1924 to the Board of Indian and Foreign Missions since it supervised work in both the American Southwest and China.
1930s to 1940s
In 1930 Argentina was added to this Board's responsibilities, followed by Brazil in 1934.
The work in Nigeria begun by Johanna Veenstra was officially adopted by the CRC in 1940.
Work was opened in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in 1949.
After the Communist revolution, our missionaries were forced to leave China.
1950s
After World War II, the scope of the churches' involvement began to broaden swiftly.
Work was opened in Japan and India--1951; Taiwan--1953; Australia, New Zealand and Cuba--1958.
The work in Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Australia, New Zealand, India and Cuba was concluded.
1960s
Work was opened in the Philippines--1961; Guam and Mexico--1962; Puerto Rico--1967.
In 1962 Synod established the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) which gradually assumed responsibility for overseas relief work, community development, and diaconal development.
In 1964 the mission effort among the Navajo and Zuni people in the American Southwest was shifted to Christian Reformed Home Missions. At the same time, the name of the agency was changed to the Board of Foreign Missions.
1970s
The following fields were added: Honduras--1971; Nicaragua--1973; and Liberia--1975; Dominican Republic--1979.
The total number of missionaries with World Missions peaked during this time.
1980s
Around 1980 increasing attention was paid to the issue of unreached peoples and mission among Muslims.
The following fields were added: Sierra Leone--1980; Costa Rica--1981; Guinea--1984; Mali--1984; Haiti--1985; France--1989.
In 1985 Synod reorganized its overseas outreach by placing the agencies and boards of both World Missions and CRWRC under a synodical board called the Christian Reformed Board of World Ministries.
1990s
In 1992 the Board of World Ministries was phased out and CRWM began reporting to the newly established CRC Board of Trustees.
The following fields were added: Eastern and Central Europe (particularly Hungary, Romania and Ukraine)--1990; and Russia--1990.
At various times missionaries served on loan to other agencies in Bangladesh, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Lithuania, and Zambia.
2000s
Work was concluded in Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, and Guam.
Work was begun in Bangladesh, Niger, Guatemala, Eastern and Southern Africa, and Cambodia.
The growth of churches in the Majority World (outside the West) led to a new emphasis on partnership in the Gospel.
Revised statements on Mission, Vision, and Values were adopted.
The slogan “Proclaiming the Gospel and Planting Churches around the World” was replaced by “Helping Christian Reformed Churches to Fulfill the Great Commission”, embracing the mission work done by congregations beyond CRWM.
