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New World Missions Canada Director Appointed
January 11, 2012 - Christian Reformed World Missions announced today that Steven Kabetu has been appointed as CRWM's Canada director.
Group Engages in Ministry of Prayer
January 5, 2012 - Rev. Jon DeBruyn guides teams to pray for and with Christian Reformed missionaries and relief workers who are based in such countries as Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Haiti. Read more...
Unrest Escalates in Nigeria
January 4, 2012 -- Following a series of attacks around Christmas by Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group based in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency. Click the headline to read more...
A Growing Church (West Africa)
December 21, 2011 -- For many Fulani in West Africa, to be Fulani is to be Muslim. Their fathers, grandfathers, and the fathers before them, have all been Muslims. Being Muslim is who they are. Fulani who decide to follow Christ are often ridiculed and rejected by their families and friends for turning from the faith of their fathers.
School Draws Family to Christ (Austria)
December 21, 2011 -- "For most of our adult lives, we have felt called to live and serve outside of our home culture," say Jeffrey and Lisa Schra, partner missionaries with Christian Reformed World Missions. When they heard that International Christian School in Vienna (ICSV, formerly Vienna Christian School) needed to expand its donor development efforts to continue long-term, they felt God calling them to go and offer their gifts and experience in that area.
Planning Starts for Sea to Sea 2013
December 21, 2011 -- The Christian Reformed Church in North America is joining with the Reformed Church in America to host an anti-poverty, fund-raising bicycle tour that will pass through the United States and Canada in the summer of 2013.
Dropping the "BIG" from Big Brother
December 20, 2011 -- Having raised chickens with my wife for many years, we are very familiar with the pecking order among chickens. It is easy to see a hierarchy among a group of chickens and quickly one can select out the higher ranking chickens from those of lower status. The dominant ones have the nicest feathers and strut with their heads up high. Whether we realize it or not, we often follow a similar pattern of classifying others in relationship to ourselves.
Two Voices from San Salvador
Dec 19, 2011 -- In April I was returning to Managua, Nicaragua, from a visit to Seeds of a New Creation, the partner with which Christian Reformed World Missions does ministry in El Salvador. Riding to the airport in the capital city of San Salvador, I spoke with the taxi driver, who told me he had been assaulted numerous times, often with a pistol to his head. He cursed his country and said he should have left 40 years ago when his brother fled.
Indonesian Anklungs Herald Christs Birth
December 16, 2011 -- The Angklung Players began to shake their traditional, Indonesian instruments, ringing out Away in a Manger during the Christian Reformed Churchs Christmas Chapel and Luncheon this week in the Prince Center at Calvin College.
Transforming the Dominican Republic
December 15, 2011 -- Over the last five years, the Strategy of Transformation in the Dominican Republic has offered theological and spiritual formation for about 1,500 leaders, played a role in helping a group of prostitutes start a jewelry-making business, and translated several book chapters and articles from English into Spanish to be used by such organizations as Christian schools.
Rescuing 'Edward' From His Uncle (Honduras)
December 15, 2011 -- The Rescue team in Honduras was called in to help in the investigation of a case involving the sexual abuse of Edward (not his real name) by one of his relatives. Part of the Peace & Justice Project of the Association for a More Just Society, (AJS), the Rescue team helped police bring, Luis, Edwards uncle, to justice. It also is assisting Edward, 10, deal with the gruesome aftermath of having been repeatedly abused by his uncle.
Global Mission Webinars
December 12, 2011 -- Could your efforts to help the poor really be hurting them - and you? Should Western Christians just stay home and send money overseas instead? Is missionary care by churches really necessary? These questions and more answered in CRCNA Global Mission Webinars available for on-demand watching/listening.
Gift Giving That Makes a Difference
December 5, 2011 -- Looking for the perfect way to celebrate those special occasions and events in the lives of your family members and friends? These special projects from the Christian Reformed Church agencies and ministries are gifts that will change peoples hearts and lives in Christs name. Thats gift giving with a difference!
Fewer But Deeper Relationships
November 29, 2011 -- Churches can end up with lots of missionary connections. Gradually, and for a variety of reasons, new relationships are established... Soon a modest sized congregation has a dozen or more commitments. Even the missions committee or GO team has a hard time remembering what is going on in all these ministries. The congregation as a whole has even less idea, of course... What can be done?
TLT Begins in Guatemala
November 23, 2011 -- TLT has taken root in a brand new country this month! Christian Reformed World Missions, staff member Luis Pellecer recently returned from a TLT in Guatemala and had high praise for his group of trainees and confidence that God was going to change this community of believers because of TLT.
A Missionary to His People (Sierra Leone)
November 22, 2011 -- Almost six years ago, Christian Reformed World Missions partnered with the Reformed Church of Zambia to send one its pastors, John Phiri, as a missionary to Sierra Leone. Since then, Rev. Phiri has mentored and trained Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone (CRCSL) leaders in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership. Maxwell Kanu is one leader impacted by Pastor Phiris work.
Mentoring Group Renews Pastors (Mexico)
November 22, 2011 -- "B4 - its the name we gave to our peermentoring group," say Christian Reformed World Missions missionaries Abe and Elaine Lee. "It reflects our goal to make ourselves move away from the old being - be-fore."
Volunteer Missionaries Commissioned
November 18, 2011 -- Nearly 20 people were commissioned this week to serve as volunteer mission workers for either Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), and partner ministries with ServiceLink, the office that helps to recruit and train volunteers for the denomination.
CRWM Helps Open Prison Ministry (Guatemala)
November 16, 2011 -- Christian Reformed World Missions and the CRWM-supported Strategy of Transformation have helped Crossroad Bible Institute (CBI) of Grand Rapids, Mich., open a new satellite campus in Guatemala.
Watching the Wall Encircle Bethlehem
November 8, 2011 -- Bishara Awad feels very disheartened as he watches the final pieces of a 23-foot-high, cement wall being built. When it is finished, the wall will then totally encircle Bethlehem, the town in which Jesus Christ was born and where Bethlehem Bible College, where Awad serves as president, is located.
Next Phase of Japan Relief Work Starts
November 9, 2011 -- The Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ) continues on a daily basis the arduous task of restoring homes, counseling, and praying for and healing families and individuals who were wounded in many ways following this years Great East Japan Earthquake.
CRWM Holds Medical Camp in Kenya
November 8, 2011 -- More than 500 people were waiting when the Christian Reformed Church-led medical team from the United States arrived this summer in Kathiani, Kenya, to conduct a six-day health care camp.
Reclaiming Hungary for Christ
Nov 7, 2011 -- When Frank and Aria Sawyer arrived in Hungary 20 years ago to teach at Sárospatak Reformed Theological Academy, church growth had halted during the countrys 40 years under Communist rule. The academy had closed, pastors and church members were aging, and home Bible studies and outreach programs were forbidden. Whole generations had grown up knowing little about Christ.
TLT Starts in Cuba
November 2, 2011 -- One Cuban church leader recently reported how the Timothy Leadership Training Institutes resources helped him to draw 16 new members to his church and another reported a 40 percent increase in tithes and offerings.
Mission According to Stott
November 1, 2011 -- On 27 July, 2011 the Church lost one of its greatest leaders, Rev. John Stott. There were many tributes written in the days immediately following. He contributed so much in so many areas that it is hard to overstate his significance. He was called "a Renaissance man with a Reformation theology." Indeed.
Sierra Leone Church Keeps Growing
Oct 24, 2011 -- A group of Temne people wanted to start a church in their community of Rochen Mara, Sierra Leone. But with few leaders, the believers said they needed "organization, a better understanding of the gospel, and some training in how to get a new church growing." Having heard about the growth of the Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone (CRCSL), they approached Pastor John Phiri for help.
"Giving a Foot" in Haiti
October 24, 2011 -- As Pastor Lemète Zéphyr drove around Port-au- Prince, Haiti, his heart grew heavy at the sight of people with disabilities begging at his car windows. He wondered, was this really all that God had intended?
Serving the Grieving (Japan)
October 24, 2011 -- With the words of Romans 12:15 in mind, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn," volunteers from the Reformed Church in Japans (RCJ) East Kanto Presbytery and teams of North American volunteers traveled to northeast Japan this summer and fall to minister to people affected by the March earthquake and tsunami.
Becoming Fools (Guatemala)
October 20, 2011 -- "Becoming Fools" is a story that is waiting to be told. The film will portray the vision of Italo, a professional clown who invested in the lives of street youth. He spent years working with a group of street kids and dreamed of a holistic youth center that would provide hope and opportunity.
In Search of a Bigger World
October 17, 2011 -- Sometimes a short-term mission trip is just a beginning. At least, thats what it was for Carol Van Klompenburg. In 2008, a team leader asked members of a 2008 service and learning team to the Nehemiah Center in Nicaragua what each of them was seeking from the trip. Carol answered, A bigger worldmine is too small.
Pastor to Missionaries Needed
October 17, 2011 -- Christian Reformed World Missions is seeking an experienced pastor to provide voluntary, part-time pastoral care to CRWM missionaries who are on home service in the US and Canada.
The Missional Church & International Missions
October 7, 2011 -- For the last few years the word "missional" has been used and abused a great deal. As with any buzzword there are varieties of meaning attached to it and sometimes people talk past each other because each has different connotations in mind when saying "missional."
Effort Featuring Ministry Shares Starts
October 6, 2011 -- September 29, 2011 The Christian Reformed Church in North America will soon release a wide-ranging set of resources that help to explain the denominations Kingdom-building program known as Ministry Shares.
Faith Grows Amid Ruin in Haiti
September 30, 2011 -- Some Haitians have embraced a stronger faith in God following the catastrophic earthquake that laid waste to parts of their country late on the afternoon of Jan. 12, 2010, say Zachary and Sharon Segaar-King.
Unity in Christ (Haiti)
September 30, 2011 -- Sharon Segaar-King, a Christian Reformed World Missions missionary in Haiti, was grateful that nearly 70 women were willing to gather earlier this year for an annual, three-day conference of fellowship and spiritual nourishment.
CRC Ministries Still Helping in Japan
September 28, 2011 -- Missionaries with Christian Reformed World Missions continue to work with the Reformed Church in Japan in relief and reconstruction efforts following the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that caused wide-spread death and destruction in northeastern Japan on March 11.
Looking to the Family (Romania)
September 26, 2011 -- From my window in our apartment I can see Parcul Copiilor or Childrens Park. During these final days of summer the park has a constant flow of people, usually towards the cooler part of the day. A few days ago while I was at the park with my own boys, I met a young man and his toddler son.
A New Outlook on Life (Costa Rica)
September 26, 2011 -- Students at UNELA (the Evangelical Univesity of the Americas as it is known in English), are capturing what it means to live for Christ. Through classes centered on a biblical worldview, students are discovering how their faith intertwines with all that they do.
Nigerian Church Official Thanks CRC
Sep 25, 2011 -- The Christian Reformed Church in North America has today become a big tree providing enduring shades of salvation and love for the Reformed Church in Nigeria (RCCN), says Rev. Risae Yakubu Shamaki, president of the RCCN. The CRC began working in Nigeria during the early years of the 20th century. That work continues, although different from the early years.
Hope Equals Challenging Trip (Middle East)
September 19, 2011 -- This summers Hope Equals journey to the Middle East was pleasurable, challenging, and informative in many ways, said Mariano Avila, coordinator of a Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) initiative called Hope Equals. Hope Equals is a network of mostly college-age North American missions activists, who support the reconciliation efforts of Israelis and Palestinians.
New Ministry Names Training Coordinator
September 13, 2011 -- Rev. Greg Sinclair, a Christian Reformed Church pastor who worked among Muslims in West Africa for nearly a decade, has been named the first training coordinator of the CRC's new ministry Advancing Ministry Among Muslims (AMAM).
Are You Already a Missionary?
September 13, 2011 -- As a kid, I thought of a cross-cultural missionary as a church planter or community developer sent by a denominational agency to some remote country of Latin America, Asia or Africa. Frankly, that definition left most of us comfortably outside of any of the possible lines of responsibility.
Knowing How to See (Guatemala)
September 13, 2011 -- During the Summer months we often host groups of North Americans on what we call "vision trips." In contrast to a "mission trip," (centered on what an outsider is invited to come and "do" in another culture), a vision trip focuses on the invitation for an outsider to come and "see" what God is doing through local, grassroots leaders serving their own people in hard places.
"Becoming Fools" More Than a Film (Guatemala)
September 9, 2011 -- Yesterday morning I had a profound experience that I feel compelled to share with you all. I had breakfast with 14 year-old Gabriela.
Church Care Draws Community to Christ (Kenya)
September 1, 2011 -- Pastor Joseph Ngugi, who leads a church just outside of Nairobi, Kenya, has always believed that God called him to shepherd the flock. But he didnt realize how that call extended to his wider community until he began Timothy Leadership Training (TLT).
Mission Emphasis... Weak? (North America)
September 1, 2011 -- The practice of mission work has changed dramatically in recent decades, and the pace of change seems to constantly accelerate. The way that we celebrate missions in the churches should also be dynamic.
TEA Conference Had Wide Reach (Kenya)
August 31, 2011 -- More than 200 Christian leaders attended the recent Theological Education in Africa (TEA) conference in Kenya to discuss the advancement of theological education across Africa, which is experiencing explosive growth in Christianity. Coming from 12 countries in eastern and southern Africa, the attendees included leaders from universities, denominations, agencies and churches.
Did You Notice How the World Has Changed?
August 30, 2011 -- I grew up in Sully, Iowa, in the 1960s. Every year my parents would take us to Mission Fest at Market Square in Pella. I thought of missionaries as rather exotic creatures who travelled to far off lands. They showed slides that could have been borrowed from the files of National Geographic.
9/11 Sparks a New CRC Ministry
August 24, 2011 -- When terrorists attacked the United States by piloting planes into buildings on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Joel Hogan was undergoing orientation for his new job as director of international ministries for Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM). Hogan had just returned from serving for 17 years as a missionary with CRWM in the Philippines.
Working at Muslim Ministry
August 24, 2011 -- Carrying sacks full of New Testaments and gallons of drinking water, two Christian Reformed Church missionaries often trek many miles through volcanic mountain landscapes, dry savanna grasses and parched red-gray desert to bring Gods good news to remote villages in a predominately Muslim, West African country.
Crescent Project Is An Example
August 24, 2011 -- Joel Hogan, director of international ministries for Christian Reformed World Missions, says the CRC may use materials from the Crescent Project as it begins training congregations about how to share the love of Christ with Muslims. The training will be done as part of the denominations new Advancing Ministry Among Muslims (AMAM) project.
Raising the Roof (British Columbia)
August 22, 2011 -- With a membership of about 130 members, Cornerstone CRC in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, may be considered a small church. But, its a church that acts beyond its walls. When the congregation decided in March to repair the church roof, they saw an opportunity to impact another community through the project.
Ukraine Church Blooms from the Inside Out
August 22, 2011 -- George de Vuyst began leading Ukraines first Timothy Leadership Training (TLT) group over a year ago as part of his own TLT action plan. He started with nine people from the Mukachevo Christian Reformed Church, but the training has since touched the entire congregation of 50.
Sierra Leone CRC Needs Trained Leaders
August 22, 2011 -- The Sierra Leonean Church has expanded rapidly since the country's civil war ended in 2002. The Christian Reformed Church of Sierra Leone, in partnership with Christian Reformed World Missions and the Reformed Church of Zambia, has planted over 40 churches and seen over 3,000 people come to know Christ.
Short Termers, Think Long Term
August 22, 2011 -- I want to encourage short term mission trip planners/participants to think long term commitment.
A Tribute to Italo the Holy Clown (Guatemala)
August 18, 2011 -- Several years ago, Christian Reformed World Missions missionaries Joel and Marilyn Van Dyke, who live and work in Guatemala City, hosted friends from the United States who were adopting two children from Guatemala.
Do We Christians Live in a Bubble?
August 16, 2011 -- Circles of friends with a shared vision are the birthing rooms for Kingdom collaboration. But sometimes circles of friends can become closed networks. Closed networks have an upside and a downside.
Course Offers "Perspective" on Missions
August 10, 2011 -- Christian Reformed World Missions will award up to six $200 scholarships to encourage qualified applicants to attend a Perspectives course, a 15-week mission's education program developed by the U.S. Center for World Mission.
Complete Healing in Jesus (West Africa)
Aug 4, 2011 -- B, a retired Fulani man living in West Africa, has a generator repair business. Since he lives near a Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) radio production studio, B often fixes the studios generators. B quickly sees what needs to be done and how to do it. But when he came to help one time, he wasnt feeling well.
A 'Shocking' Email from Nigeria
July 30, 2011 -- Christian Reformed World Missions volunteer missionary Dirk Vander Steen had been back home for a few days from his most recent trip to Nigeria when he received a shocking and deeply troubling email message.
Prayer Warriors Needed in Japan, Korea
July 26, 2011 -- In October, Prayer Missions International and Christian Reformed World Missions will join together to lead a short-term intercessory prayer mission trip to earthquake-ravaged Japan and to Korea.
Hope Equals Team Arrives in Middle East
July 26, 2011 -- Participants in the Christian Reformed World Missions-sponsored program Hope Equals landed safely in the Middle East this week and have begun a five-week, summer learning tour in which they will visit holy land sites and interact with groups working to establish a lasting peace between people in Israel and those living in the Palestinian territories.
A Revitalized Life (Japan)
July 22, 2011 -- A young pastor in the Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ) thought about quitting his job. He was frustrated. He had lost his confidence and was struggling to fulfill ministerial duties. He needed something to revive his spirit.
Pastoral Care, Community Growth (West Africa)
July 22, 2011 -- The Christian Church in West Africa is small, but growing. Leaders are emerging from within the church who are committed to following God and nudging others along the same path.
Reaching Out to Women in Mexico
July 22, 2011 -- For Martha (name changed), a single mother living in Mexico, life is not easy. Her husband left her two years ago. Now she works six days a week to provide for herself and her teenage daughter. She leaves early in the morning and comes home around six or seven each night. The stress of life is visible on her and her daughter; they both struggle with anxiety and other health problems. Martha testifies that if it were not for Gods presence and help in her life, she would not be able to make it.
Missionaries are Nigeria-Bound
July 20, 2011 -- Abe and Carol Vreeke have once again finished undergoing Christian Reformed World Missions intense orientation sessions before leaving for Nigeria to serve as missionaries. Involving nine partner missionaries who will work in Asia and Africa, the week-long orientation took place recently at the Grand Rapids, Mich., office of the Christian Reformed Church.
TLT Ministry Grows (Worldwide)
July 18, 2011 -- In the fiscal year that just ended, the Timothy Leadership Training Institute (TLT) conducted 38 leadership trainings in 18 countries, teaching at least one TLT course to about 600 students, and starting work in Mali, according to Charles Powell, president of the TLT.
Posters Show Shepherds, Fishers, Planters
July 5, 2011 -- More than 40 winners were announced recently for the annual Christian Reformed World Missions' poster contest. Using as inspiration such themes as "Seeking Sheep for the Shepherd" and "We Are All Missionaries," 1,032 children from CRC congregations and Christian schools across Canada and the United States submitted entries.
Japan Church Determines Donations
June 23, 2011 -- The Reformed Church in Japan has recently determined how it will disperse the more than 50 million yen -- about $650,000 in U.S. currency -- that it has received from its initial, large-scale fund-raising campaign following the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on March 11.
Nigerian Church Leader Thanks CRC
June 23, 2011 -- Several fraternal delegates offered greetings and eloquently addressed Christian Reformed Church in North America delegates during last weeks Synod 2011. But one of the most extensive and informative presentations was given by Rev. Risae Yakubu Shamiki, president of the Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria.
Farmer, Teacher, Missionary (Nigeria)
June 20, 2011 -- Hezron Luka was born in a rural area in Nigerias Adamawa State, about 15 hours away from his current home in Niger State. Since his family was quite poor, Hezron grew up living in a mud block hut and helping his father work the family farm by hand.
Moving to Coworkers in Ministry (Honduras)
June 20, 2011 -- Jorge is a young person in the Christian Reformed Church of Honduras (CRCH). Hes the president of his classis young peopless group and has a deep concern for the church. Hes someone who shows potential for thinking outsideof- the-box and a willingness to step out and see where God will take him.
Celebrating Student Growth (Japan)
June 20, 2011 -- At the Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ), we strive to carry out the Great Commission by evangelizing non-Christian students and by discipling Christian students. So as I (Kim) read my students essays, I was excited to see how my students are growing.
The Network
June 14, 2011 -- Interested in Muslim Ministry? Looking for ways to help your church grow in its focus on missions? Gearing up for Vacation Bible School and you want to make it exciting? Or did you know that helping can actually hurt if you're not careful? Read about these topics and more on in the Global Mission section of the Network.
Modelling God's Love in Japan
June 9, 2011 -- The Reformed Church in Japan continues, with the help of the Christian Reformed Church and many other church organizations, to do the hard work of obtaining resources and then using them to help rebuild lives and buildings devastated by the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
Volunteer Missionaries Commissioned
June 1, 2011 -- During a commissioning service, friends, family and a group of missionaries recently gathered around and laid hands on the 30 or so volunteer workers who are being sent by the Christian Reformed Church in North America this summer to countries and ministry sites all over the world.
Webinars That Connect? (North America)
May 31, 2011 -- About three years ago Christian Reformed World Missions began experimenting with webinars as a way to connect with people and provide valuable resources to understand global missions. Today, we're looking for feedback...
Viewing Discipline With New Eyes (Kenya)
May 24, 2011 -- Through a new teacher training curriculum, Christian school teachers in Kenya are viewing classroom discipline in a different light. The teachers have been testing Christian Reformed World Missions new six-part Educational Care teacher training curriculum since last summer.
A Heart for the Bangladeshi Church
May 24, 2011 -- Champa Barmon is a librarian at the College of Christian Theology Bangladesh (CCTB). Shes the second eldest of six children and comes from northwest Bangladesh. Her father and his family converted to Christianity from Hinduism in the late 1970s just before Champa was born. Since her father, who became a pastor, recently died, Champas income is crucial to supporting her mother and two younger siblings. Champa is among a growing number of women who work outside the home in Bangladesh.
Life Springs From Living Water (Mexico)
May 24, 2011 -- Attendance at Agua Viva, a small church plant in Tijuana, Mexico, had been low all winter. Some people had stayed home rather than venturing out into the cold and rain for weekly Sunday services. Sicknesses and surgeries came, capturing several key Agua Viva members and leaders and preventing them from fully participating in the church. Then, a few personality clashes broke out among some of the members. By January, Agua Vivas members were feeling tired and dejected.
CRC's Ongoing Commitment to Japan
May 23, 2011 -- The Christian Reformed Church remains active in a variety of ways, especially with the Reformed Church in Japan, in continuing to plan future efforts and responding to the immediate needs of people impacted by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of northeastern Japan.
CRC Ministry Among Muslims (Worldwide)
May 16, 2011 -- The call of Islam goes out to more than 1.5 billion Muslims from Dubai to Dearborn (Mich.), from Timbuktu to Toronto and from the other side of the world to our neighbors in Canada and the United States.
House Churches Multiply (Mexico)
May 16, 2011 -- Eight years ago, worship began in a most unlikely location: in front of the Guadalajara, Mexico, central market, a bustling place with 3,000 vendors.
Reparando Resonates with Audiences (North Am)
May 12, 2011 -- Reparando, a documentary that follows the lives and ministries of two members of the Christian Reformed Church-supported Strategy of Transformation in Guatemala City, wraps up a 10-city tour in Grand Rapids, Mich., on May 12.
Leaders Multiply Themselves (Bangladesh)
May 2, 2011 -- As a church deacon and a theology student, Basona Areng was looking for something to deepen her leadership skills. She joined Bangladeshs first Timothy Leadership Training (TLT) group just over a year ago. Today she is one of 19 Garo Baptist Church leaders who are using the training to develop other leaders.
Building "Gospel Ecosystems" (Cambodia)
May 2, 2011 -- In 1993, Cambodia opened its doors to mission organizations and development agencies. While outside help was needed after the horrific years under Khmer Rouge rule, no one realized how the agencies would splinter the Cambodian church.
Churches Zealous for Coffee Break (Japan)
May 2, 2011 -- "Small-group ministry is a brand-new concept to many Japanese churches," says Jeong Gho, who works for Christian Reformed World Missions in Japan. Yet its a concept thats gaining traction as leaders learn how they can use small groups to reach out to their communities.
Improving Christian Education (West Africa)
May 2, 2011 -- Interest in Christian education has increased in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, alongside rising interest in Christianity. But in many areas Christian teachers and administrators have had little training on what it means to practice their faith in the classroom. Thats where Christian Reformed World Missions steps in.
Japan Disaster Continues (Japan)
April 26, 2011 -- Larry Spalink, Japan field leader for Christian Reformed World Missions, says he was deeply moved and saddened by the in-depth survey that he and a handful of others made last week to communities in northeastern Japan that were devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the country on March 11.
Fellowship Worth the Travel (West Africa)
April 21, 2011 -- Amadou was looking forward to the annual Fulani believers conference for believers living in a particular West African region. The conference would not only be a time to learn more about following Jesus, but also to visit with other believers. Knowing that, Amadou knew he had to do what he could to go.
A Window of Opportunity (Nepal)
April 21, 2011 -- Troy Bierma and Arbin Pokharel became good friends while they were at Kuyper College and Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They played soccer together, prayed together, and learned each others stories. Arbin was from Kathmanudu in Nepal. Troy from Sioux Center, Iowa. Arbin has always planned on returning to Nepal, and as the years passed, Troys interest in serving in Nepal grew.
Learning Across Cultures (Worldwide)
April 21, 2011 -- In February, six pastors met in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to begin learning relationships with people doing similar work in different countries and cultural settings. Each pastor comes from a different place Michigan, Florida, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala, and Nicaragua each one coming with a desire to learn from others. Over the next five years, they will visit each other, pray for each other, and learn from each other about following God.
Continuing Ministry Needed in Japan (Japan)
April 20, 2010 -- Representatives of the Reformed Church in Japans Diaconal Action Committee are to begin to do an in-depth assessment of damage to RCJ churches and believers in the area impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Working for Education in Honduras (Honduras)
April 8, 2011 -- Honduras faces an educational crisis: many public school teachers went on strike in March, and the lack of classes for weeks has been detrimental to Honduran children and society. It has also been unjust.
Praying for Shalom in Japan (Japan)
April 11, 2011 -- Christian Reformed World Missions missionary Ken Lee left Japan and recently spent two busy weeks in California.
CRC Executive Director Resigns (North Am.)
April 7, 2011 -- Rev. Jerry Dykstra has resigned as executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, effective April 5, 2011. Rev. Mark Vermaire, president of the CRCs Board of Trustees (BOT), announced the resignation on Tuesday afternoon.
Reparando Playing in Calgary, AB (Canada)
April 7, 2011 -- If you live in Calgary, Alberta, head to the Uptown Theatre on April 14 to watch Reparando. Reparando is a film that tells the powerful stories of Shorty -- a former gang member who is now a pastor, and Tita -- a woman who started a school in Guatemala's most notorious slum, as they join forces to repair La Limonada.
Challenges of the East Japan Quake (Japan)
March 30, 2011 -- Larry Spalink, Christian Reformed World Mission's Japan team leader, has written an informative, heart-rending reflection on what he has seen and experienced since the massive, magnitude 9 on-the-Richter-scale earthquake and the subsequent tsunami struck the northeastern part of the country on the morning of March 11.
Nigerian Missionary Program Grows (Nigeria)
Mar 24, 2011 -- Jolly Tanko and Elisabeth Bako first served as missionaries with the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN) in Nigerias Niger State almost 20 years ago. Now, eight years after moving on to other things, the Bakos are back to help groom leaders for the expanding church.
Sharing Christ Calms Japanese Fears (Japan)
March 21, 2011 -- Like so many who live in Japan right now, World Missions missionaries Jeong and MiSook Gho are concerned about the threat of radiation falling from sky, carried their way from the crippled nuclear power plants in Fukushima, in the northeastern part of Japan. Nonetheless, in this time of tragedy and uncertainty, the Ghos find themselves compelled to tell people they encounter about the hope they find in Jesus.
Japan Field Leader Shares His Experiences
March 17, 2011 -- Missionary Larry Spalink writes about his experiences following the strongest earthquake he's ever endured throughout his thirty years of ministry in Japan. Read the lastest prayer letter from Larry and Ruth Spalink.
Crucial Training (Cameroon)
March 16, 2011 -- "Cameroon is a highly diverse country with over 280 distinct languages and more than 500 ethnic groups," Harold says. "Large traditional Christian churches dominate the souths religious landscape while Islam is strong in the north." However, churches are growing rapidly in the north and with the rise comes a need for strong leadership.
More Than Conquerers (Nicaragua)
March 16, 2011 -- With a new Survivor reality television show being filmed in Nicaragua, it seemed fitting to design a retreat on the theme, Surviving or More Than a Conqueror? Aimee Bootsma, NCAs fourth grade teacher, and two of her colleagues organized activities that took students to a new level of experiencing nature.
Helping Leaders Serve Effectively (Japan)
March 16, 2011 -- Christian leaders, including teachers and church planters, want to serve effectively. In Japan, CRWM missionary Michael Essenburg helps leaders do so by offering coaching, consulting, resources, and training.
Message from Pastor in Sendai, Japan
March 15, 2011 -- This letter, dated March 14, 2011, was written by Rev. Takashi Yoshida, Moderator of the Reformed Church in Japan and Pastor of Sendai Reformed Church in Sendai, Japan, the closest city to the epicenter of the earthquake. It was translated by Rev. Larry Spalink, a missionary serving with Christian Reformed World Missions in Japan.
Japan Missionary Spends Second Night in Car
March 14, 2011 -- Rev. George Young is spending a second night in his car at a camp in Ushibori, Japan, as he is not comfortable sleeping inside. There has been a lot of damage to roads in the area, so he did not want to try to get back to the house in the dark.
Japan Quake Updates
March 11, 2011 -- Get the latest updates from CRC News about the earthquake in Japan. Find out how you can help.
Reparando Playing at Dordt (Iowa)
March 7, 2011 -- Join CRWM at Dordt College on March 25 to watch Reparando, a film that tells the powerful stories of Shorty -- a former gang member who is now a pastor, and Tita -- a woman who started a school in Guatemala's most notorious slum, as they join forces to repair La Limonada.
Me Siento Bien ("I feel good") (Guatemala)
March 1, 2011 -- This past weekend in Guatemala City we lost a great friend and colleague who loved the unlovable of his city with reckless abandon and unbridled passion.
Nurses Doing God's Work (Nepal)
February 18, 2011 - CRWM works in partnership with the Mizoram Presbyterian Church in India, a church with over 550,000 members. Together we are supporting the work of several Indian nurses working in the remote, mountainous country of Nepal.
Timothy Leadership Training (Zambia)
February 18, 2011 -- One December Sunday, Pastor Moyos son came home from Sunday School and shared with his father how Jesus had entered his heart. Pastor Moyo rejoiced at what he heard. His son had made the most important decision of his life and the training he was doing with Sunday School teachers was making a visible impact.
Ambassadors for Christ (Dominican Republic)
February 18, 2011 -- In 1974, Hurricane Fifi hit the Caribbean with extreme power, killing between 3,000-10,000 Hondurans. Betty Roldan, who had recently moved from Chile to Miami, Florida, volunteered with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) for a six week hurricane relief project in Honduras. Little did she know that these six weeks would lead her to a long career in missions.
Missions Renewal (Japan)
February 18, 2011 -- Less than one percent of Japans population is Christian. Many Japanese follow a broad range of gods and a mixture of Shinto and Buddhist practices. For them to know the Gospel, more of them need to hear it.
2011 Easter & Pentecost
February 17, 2011 -- Christian Reformed Home Missions and Christian Reformed World Missions are once again collaborating to help churches celebrate the time from Easter to Pentecost.
A Closer Look (Haiti)
February 14, 2011 -- Extreme poverty has always been the most outstanding feature in Haiti, but now is much worse. Many ruins remain exactly the same and thousands still live in ragged tents in tent cities. However, not everything is discouraging.
Seeing Through Memory (Guatemala)
February 7, 2011 -- A group of Calvin College students participating in a January interim course joined CRWM missionary Joel Van Dyke in Guatemala. They are learning about the 36 year armed armed conflict (1954-1996), it's implications for today, and contemporary urban issues in Guatemala City through historical and theological reflection.
Praying for the Work of Missions (Worldwide)
February 1, 2011 -- It is so easy to say, "I'll pray for you" or "I'll pray about that." Actually praying in a disciplined and passionate way is a great deal harder. In addition to good intentions and the Spirit's work in our hearts and minds, tools for prayer can come in very handy.
Multiplication Network (Latin America)
January 31, 2011 -- CRWM is partnering with Multiplication Network Ministries in Latin America to plant more churches and to grow healthy churches. Watch the video to learn more.
Coffee Break Around the World (Worldwide)
January 25, 2011 -- Coffee Break, the popular outreach-oriented small group Bible study for women, is going global.
A Call for Prayer (Nigeria)
January 24, 2011 -- Bombings in Jos, Nigeria over Christmas Eve and in Abuja, Nigeria on New Years Eve brought the worlds spotlight onto Nigeria once more.
365 Days after Thirty-Five Seconds (Haiti)
January 24, 2011 -- At 4:53 p.m. on January 12, 2010, an earthquake registering 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Port-au-Prince and its environs for approximately thirty-five seconds.
Christmas Around the World (Worldwide)
January 24, 2011 -- While the story of Jesus birth is the same in every language, people celebrate His birth in different ways.
A Mission of Prayer
January 2011 -- A team of seven travelled to Nicaragua to pray. "People were amazed that [the team] came just to pray with and for them," says Steve Holtrop, a CRWM missionary in Nicaragua. "One pastor said, 'As pastors, no one prays for us, and we needed that.'"
Restoring Lives in Haiti (Haiti)
January 2011 -- A report of the work of CRWRC in Haiti, including a brief video.
A Slice of Faith (Hungary)
January 2011 -- For Jack and Cindy Ippel, Christian Reformed World Missions partners in Hungary, pizza parties equal ministry opportunities.