CRWM Celebrates 125 Years

Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), which celebrates its 125th anniversary on June 18, began as a five-member committee to oversee missions efforts of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA).

Through the years, and many structure and name changes, this committee evolved into the agency that now ministers on the denomination’s behalf in over 50 countries.

Initial missionaries worked among Native American nations in the United States. The first mission, among the Lakota in South Dakota, ended after a year.

Seven years later, in 1896, the CRC began a new outreach, this time among the Navajo and Zuni nations in Arizona and New Mexico.

In retrospect, the CRC’s outreach was not always sensitive to the Navajo and Zuni cultures. Yet, God moved despite these mistakes, bringing God’s saving message to the Navajo and Zuni people, say CRWM officials.

By the early 1900s, the CRC was feeling called to send missionaries internationally, too. In November 1920, John De Korne, Harry Dykstra, and Lee Huizinga traveled to China with their families to begin the CRCNA’s first overseas mission.

Their outreach was often hampered by war. The missionaries left in 1950, not knowing if missionaries would ever be allowed back.

Meanwhile, CRWM had begun working in Nigeria and other countries. Johanna Veenstra had introduced the CRCNA to Nigeria in 1920. In 1940, CRWM officially adopted work there.

For the next few decades, CRWM missionaries ministered in Nigeria through evangelism, education, medicine. In time, their work birthed three Reformed Nigerian denominations with thousands of members.

CRWM initiated and closed ministry fields from 1930 onward as needs arose and passed. Today, CRWM works in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Missionaries share the gospel among least-reached peoples, train leaders, and walk alongside local leaders, churches, and organizations in advancing God’s kingdom in their regions.

In addition to sending missionaries and volunteers, CRWM offers resources, consultations, and other services to CRCNA congregations looking to deepen their mission involvement.

CRWM is able to reach out today because of the support of numerous CRCNA churches and individuals through the years.

People’s prayers, service, and financial gifts, including contributions to the denomination’s Ministry Shares program, have enabled CRWM to share the gospel around the world.

In recognition of this 125-year-long partnership, CRWM has created special events and initiatives for the year ahead.

CRWM’s 125th anniversary year will kick-off on Tuesday, June 18 with CRCNA staff celebrations in Grand Rapids, Mich., Palos Heights, Ill. and Burlington, Ontario.

CRWM will also launch its anniversary book, Generations Faithful to His Call: The Christian Reformed Church in Global Missions, at 7 p.m. on June 18 at Baker Book House, 2768 East Paris Ave. SE,  Grand Rapids.

Rev. Steven Van Zanen, CRWM’s missions education and engagement director and  the book’s editor, will lead a short question and answer time. Afterwards, the book published by Faith Alive Christian Resources, will be available for $19.99. Further anniversary events in other locations will be held in the fall.

Meanwhile, CRWM’s new Johanna Veenstra Missionary Support Fund will help missionaries serve in the years ahead.

The fund will help create more missionary positions, enable missionaries with small support bases to go to the field, and send out missionaries quickly when there are urgent ministry needs.

“Since CRWM’s inception, nearly a thousand missionaries have served in more than fifty countries,” says Steve Van Zanen.

CRWM has had struggles and made mistakes, he notes. “Still, there was and is a passion to share Christ with those who have not yet found salvation in him.”