Historically, the CRC came from the Netherlands. But today, although a majority of our members are still from Dutch backgrounds, we can't honestly be called a Dutch church - unless we're also called a Korean church, a Navajo church, a Southeast Asian church, a French-Canadian church, a Hispanic-American church, an African-American church, a melting pot church.

What sets the Christian Reformed Church off from many other denominations is its embrace of key teachings of John Calvin. In a nutshell, these all center on the sovereignty of God. This means that God owns all of creation and continues to assert his rule over it.  This gives us a sure hope for the future.

In 1848, Rev. Albertus Van Raalte and his family settled in and around what is now Holland, Michigan, establishing a "colony" on American soil that fervently held onto Calvinist doctrine, practical piety, and a strong commitment to living all of life to the glory of God.  In 1857 a small group of four churches separated from the “Dutch Reformed Church” to form the Christian Reformed Church (CRC).  The reasons were mainly doctrinal views about hymns, communion, and too much accommodation to the American culture.

Since then the denomination has significantly grown in North America as well as around the world.  Churches have joined together to support the following “agencies.”

The Back to God Hour is our church's radio and television ministry. In nations around the world, the Back to God Hour sends the gospel message over the airwaves in French, English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and other languages.

Christian Reformed Home Missions is responsible for helping all CRC churches and for starting new churches throughout Canada and the United States.

Abuse Prevention offers resources and support to prevent abuse and combat its effects.

Chaplaincy promotes and supports Christian ministry in specialized settings such as the military, hospitals, prisons, industry, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, universities, and pastoral counseling centers.

Disability Concerns encourages and enables churches to respond to the needs of persons with disabilities within the congregation and the community.

The Office of Social Justice and Hunger Action raises awareness and promotes action on issues of justice and world hunger.

The Ministry of Race Relations designs and implements programs to eliminate racism and to reconcile people from many different races and ethnic groups.

Christian Reformed World Missions takes the gospel message out to the far reaches of the earth. More than 300 missionaries live and work in about 30 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee takes seriously Jesus' love for the poor and afflicted. The CRWRC also equips local deacons to do their work, brings relief in times of disaster, and establishes long-term projects in Canada, the United States, and about 27 other countries around the world.

Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary are educational ministries of the CRC. Calvin College is a four-year liberal arts college that seeks to engage students in a vigorous Christian education with a Reformed vision that prepares them to participate in life from a biblical perspective.

Calvin Theological Seminary trains and educates the future ministers of the CRC and, through its many degree programs, prepares leaders for all aspects of the church's life both in North America and throughout the world.

CRC Publications produces materials used in the education programs of local churches from many denominations and provides other resources for the church's life, work and ministries. Through World Literature Ministries, CRC Publications also translates material for use in other languages.