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A farmer and a pastor whose preaching ‘enriched the soil of the church,’ Arlan Koppendrayer was in active ministry until a devastating stroke in December. He died Dec. 24.

In response to the conclusion of an independent investigation of abuse at one of its ministry partners, Resonate Global Mission has issued an apology and is contributing to the implementation of report recommendations.

Facing trial for allegedly failing to report sexual abuse, Brian Houston, co-founder of the Hillsong megachurch, announced a leave of absence until the end of this year.

Nine years after the first Canadian Catalytic Conversation—a gathering of delegates from Christian Reformed classes across Canada—Canadian CRC members were again invited to a meeting of the minds, this time on Zoom.

After 15 years of promoting the production of “content worth consuming,” Dordt University’s Prairie Grass Film Challenge mounted its final event in January 2022.

Ida Kaastra-Mutoigo, director for World Renew-Canada, is leaving to head a New York-based ministry for survivors of trafficking. Kenneth Kim will be her interim replacement.

Across the globe, Open Doors found that there has been a 24% increase in Christians killed because of their faith.

After four years of fun snow builds, a family from Faith Christian Reformed Church in Pella, Iowa, used their 2022 creation to raise money for Living Water Wells.

Xay Xue Yang,  founding pastor of the Hmong Christian Reformed Church in Sheboygan, Wisc., died Dec. 15, 2021.

Pastor and chaplain, George Van Arragon was a man who made people feel welcomed, accepted, and encouraged. He died Dec. 27.

After a full life of ministry and a richly productive season of retirement, Lammert Slofstra, 97, died Dec. 31, 2021.

Three years after starting a Christmas gift donation program, Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in Big Rapids, Mich., is seeing local families begin to take part in more of the church’s events and services.

Canadians Gus and Wynanda Polman set out on a “justice and reconciliation seeking journey” after an unexpected meeting with an executive of the U.S. National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Savage-Prior Lake TreeHouse, a ministry of Bridgewood Christian Reformed Church in Savage, Minn., launched at a crucial time to offer teens hope where many see none.

With votes in their congregations last fall, 43 congregations that had been part of the Reformed Church in America were released from their denominational classes (regional groups of churches) as of Dec. 31, 2021. They are now part of the Alliance of Reformed Churches.

Metha Alberda, a member of West End Christian Reformed Church in Edmonton, Alta., volunteers her time to create and provide handmade, infant-sized dresses to families who experience the death of a baby.

The Clothing Closet, a community ministry of New Life Christian Reformed Church in Guelph, Ont., got a boost in donated goods this fall thanks to two community efforts.</p>

Sumas (Wash.) Christian Reformed Church faced major clean-up and restoration after flooding. With help from its classis, the church is sharing resources to support the broader community.

Scholar, missionary, translator, and one who testified to the good news of God’s grace throughout his 90 years, Gene Rubingh died Dec. 20, 2021.

College at Southeastern, the undergraduate school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, conferred degrees Dec. 15 to 24 inmates who were educated behind bars. It’s a growing American trend.

Among the news stories, features, and columns most read on thebanner.org in 2021 are perspectives on vaccines, politics, race, and the CRC’s human sexuality report.

Cheryl Bostrom, an author and member of Sonlight Church, a Christian Reformed congregation in Lynden, Wash., published Sugar Birds in 2021. Christianity Today magazine named it among “the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture” for 2022.

With help from a grant from its classis, Cascade Fellowship in Grand Rapids, Mich., arranged a gospel-focused light display this December.