Sophia Bouwsma
Sophia Bouwsma shares her story as a letter written to those in the CRC, the denomination in which she grew up. She especially wishes to have her letter read by those in the CRC who support the Human Sexuality Report (HSR). Most of my life has been spent in the…
Natalie Drew
By Kathryn Post, Religion News Service Meet Natalie Drew: Christian Reformed, trans woman, US army veteran and pacifist. ‘I get asked a lot, why do I stay?’ said Drew, a wife and mother of two. ‘I stay because I truly believe Jesus Christ came, died and rose again the third…
Daniel Alberts
It’s been about 20 years since I regularly attended a Christian Reformed Church. At that time, I was living in western Colorado. Every so often, on a Sunday morning, I made an hour-long trip from a small town called Rifle to Grand Junction to be with those whom, at the…
Christian Schools
The conversation in the Christian Reformed Church has implications for many other Christian institutions, including Christian schools. This letter, written by a member of the board of directors of a Christian day school and submitted to the board, traces the author’s journey to an affirming stance and explores the harm…
Nick Loenen
“Love is respect for otherness” – George Grant, Canadian philosopher. A version of this story, written by Nick Loenen about his brother, Jack, was originally published in Christian Courier on January 27, 2014. It is republished here with permission. Photo: Jack Loenen, centre, with his brothers Ed, left, and Nick,…
David Hall
I am 63 years old. I am a gay Christian. I am not an oxymoron. I am David Hall. For the first 59 years of my life, I struggled to live a life contrary to who I was. It was a life lived based on the expectations and beliefs of…
Christopher Godwaldt
My first two years of university were some of the most gut-wrenchingly difficult years I’ve ever experienced. Back then I was deeply entrenched in the closet, knowing that I was definitely not straight, but also trusting no one with that secret. It remained my secret until I came out to…
Christopher Rynberk
My name is Christopher Rynberk, I am 72 years old, and I am a gay Christian. My husband and I were married in a church and we are active members of a loving church community. I love God, I experience joy every day, and I know that God loves me.…
Corry van der Ende
I was born in Holland in 1948, the eighth child of nine. I have five brothers and three sisters. Ours was a traditional Dutch family with dad working to earn a living and my mother busy in the home caring for the children. Each lunch and dinner was preceded by…
Carol Vanderstoep
We need to be brave with our stories so other people can be brave with theirs. Catherine Center My deep belief is that stories are sacred and have the power to cultivate empathy and justice. Brene Brown I grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, went to Christian elementary and…