Together we worship a God who is making all things new. God has a big picture plan for transforming lives and communities worldwide, yet reveals our denominational part in that plan step by step. Following our part faithfully will form the CRC into a diverse family of healthy congregations, assemblies, and ministries, all expressing the good news of God’s kingdom.
If you want to be salt and light in God’s unfolding work among us, then you’ll want to give to the Christian Reformed Church Foundation—because it supports and resources CRC ministries.
Christian Reformed Church Foundation: A catalyst for ministry
The Christian Reformed Church Foundation works on behalf of the denomination to fund priorities and keep the church focused on its mission for generations to come. That’s why the Christian Reformed Church Foundation is raising funds today to support healthy congregations and to launch the new Leadership Exchange and The Network: Connecting Churches for Ministry. We trust that God will use The Foundation to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Being a vibrant witness to the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ
Our Reformed tradition teaches us that roots matter. Our broad, deep theology nourishes all that we think and do and bubbles up in new ministry. God has inspired so much creativity in the CRC. We’re learning from each other—as new, renewed, or even troubled churches—how to be a denomination of healthy, growing congregations.
- More freedom to experiment. Imagine our denomination bathed in grace. Let’s embody a spirit of permission that builds on what God is already helping each church do well. The more we understand God’s purpose, sense Christ’s presence, and expect the Spirit’s power…the more transformation will happen.
- From ministry in isolation to ministry in community. The local congregation is crucial to faith formation, spiritual development, leadership training, stewardship, and staying close so members understand needs. As congregations experience God in worship, they heal and connect locally, nationally, or internationally.
- From telling to mutual discovery. Being open to God’s power in our midst sparks ministry with, not ministry for. Let’s widen the tent to connect cutting-edge ministries with the depth and breadth of tradition. This will help us all minister more authentically in our cultural contexts.
Mission Statement of the Christian Reformed Church Foundation
The mission of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) Foundation is to resource CRCNA ministries and programs that the CRCNA determines will help implement the denominational ministries plan. The Foundation is committed to strengthen CRCNA agencies and institutions. That’s why we encourage generosity and stewardship on their behalf and work in partnership with them so that we add resources rather than compete for charitable gifts.
Each agency has resources to seek charitable gifts for its own programs. Though the Foundation may partner with an agency to develop financial resources, the Foundation primarily seeks funds to develop new ideas and start-up programs that:
- fall outside denominational agency mandates
- integrate program resources on behalf of the denomination as a whole
- encourage people who have new visions for ministry
- are not funded through budgets of Synod, classes, or agencies
In this role, the Foundation receives gifts from estates and individuals. If you want to provide CRCNA leaders the gift of flexibility—in developing, timing, and funding new programs that help the whole denomination—then you’ll want to explore the fit between the Foundation and your charitable priorities.
Foundation Description—U.S. and Canada
The Christian Reformed Church Foundation was legally established in May 1998 as a 501(c)(3) organization. In April 2003, the Christian Reformed Church Foundation was legally established in Canada with a Charter of Letters Patent grant. The Foundation operates under the authority of the CRCNA Board of Directors. Both the U.S. and Canada Foundation boards of directors have a minimum simple majority membership from the CRCNA Board.
Members of the 2009-2010—Board of Directors
Foundation Board (binational)
- Ms. Janette Bax— Board of Trustee member, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- Mr. Jim Clousing—Board of Trustee member, Highland, IN
- Rev. Gerard Dykstra—CRCNA Executive Director, Grand Rapids, MI
- Rev. Robert A. Lyzenga—Board of Trustee member, Lafayette, IN
- Rev. Eleanor Rietkerk—Board of Trustee member, Mill Creek, WA
- Mrs. Patricia Storteboom—Board of Trustee member, Langley, BC, Canada
- Mr. Gary Van Arragon—Board of Trustee member, Guelph, ON, Canada
- Mr. Leo Van Tuyl—At-large member, Welland, ON, Canada
Canadian Foundation Board
- Rev. Bruce Adema—Director of Canadian Ministries, Burlington, ON
- Ms. Janette Bax—Board of Trustee member, Thunder Bay, ON
- Mrs. Patricia Storteboom—Board of Trustee member, Langley, BC
- Mr. Gary Van Arragon—Board of Trustee member, Guelph, ON
- Mr. Leo Van Tuyl—At-large member, Welland, ON
Board Officers
- Chairperson—Mr. Jim Clousing
- Canadian Chairperson—Mr. Leo Van Tuyl
- Treasurer—Mr. John H. Bolt
Staff
- Deputy Executive Director—Rev. Peter Borgdorff
- Administrative Assistant—Ms. Erinn Swett
