Living Proof of a Loving God on Byron Center Avenue
Sitting along Byron Center Avenue in Byron Center, Michigan, Second Byron Christian Reformed Church - known to most as 2nd Byron CRC - has made "Living Proof of a Loving God" its guiding motto. The congregation belongs to the Christian Reformed Church in North America and gathers under the oversight of Classis Grand Rapids South, worshiping in a single location on the main road through the small town south of Grand Rapids.
Sunday Mornings and Sunday Evenings
Worship is the center of life at Second Byron. The church gathers twice each Sunday: at 9:30 in the morning and again at 5:00 in the evening. The morning service is broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook for those joining from home. Each gathering lasts about an hour and includes congregational readings, prayer, and a blended musical style that mixes traditional hymns, classic praise songs, and modern worship music, followed by a message from Pastor Rick Vanderwal.
First-time visitors can expect a warm and inviting atmosphere. Hot coffee, tea, and cocoa wait at the Welcome Station on the way into the Worship Center. From toddlers to grandparents, the church invites everyone to come as they are. Children four and older worship alongside their parents in the main service, while younger children are cared for in the nursery.
What the Church Believes
Second Byron CRC stands firmly on the five foundational doctrines of the Reformation: Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Glory to God Alone. The Bible is treated as the trustworthy, error-free Word of God that shapes every effort of the congregation, from preaching and worship to evangelism and mercy. Salvation is received by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and the whole church exists to bring glory to God.
Alongside the five solas, the congregation confesses the Apostles' Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and the Nicene Creed, tying Second Byron to the historic Christian tradition that runs through the Christian Reformed Church.
Loving God, Loving Others, Loving the Neighborhood
The mission statement spells out three pillars. Loving God means gathering for worship, hearing Scripture, and deepening devotion in every area of life. Loving Others means connecting across ages through small groups, Bible studies, and ministry classes. Loving the Neighborhood means serving the people of Byron Center and beyond through the church's ministries and its partnerships with missionaries.
Children and Youth at Every Stage
Second Byron CRC takes seriously its call to walk with the next generation. Care begins in the nursery, where infants and toddlers from birth through 24 months are held and cared for during the services. Two- and three-year-olds enjoy their own classroom with songs, Bible stories, and crafts.
Older children join Sunday School after the morning service, from 10:45 to 11:45 during the school year, with classes stretching from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade. Two long-running programs anchor the midweek calendar. GEMS, Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior, meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for girls in second through eighth grade. Cadets, the boys' counterpart from fourth through eighth grade, meets the same hours every Tuesday and is built on the Word of God and the main confessions of the Reformed church.
Middle school and high school students belong to Oasis, the youth group. The group gathers for a fun event on the second Saturday of each month and a Connecting Point youth service on the fourth Sunday evening. Dinner and a Bible study follow that evening service. Oasis challenges students in grades six through twelve to live Christ-centered lives and to discover and use their gifts for serving others.
Adults: Bible Study, Softball, and Sunday School
Adults at Second Byron gather in small-group Bible studies and in Adult Sunday School, which meets from 10:45 to 11:45 on Sunday mornings between services. The church softball team brings members together for ministry in work and play, joining other teams on the Byron Township recreational league schedule.
Reaching Byron Center and the World
The Hand2Hand ministry shows God's love in the local community through weekly food deliveries and prayer. Members partner with Byron Community Ministries and other area groups to bring groceries and encouragement to neighbors who need them.
Missions extend well beyond Michigan. Second Byron provides ongoing financial support to a number of missionary families and organizations, including the Geisterfers in Doral, Florida; the Hoflands in Conakry, Guinea; the Palmers working in Nigeria; the Sliedrechts and Tiesengas in Soroti, Uganda; Dave Meengs with Bible Counseling Worldwide in Caledonia, Michigan; Donna Smith with Byron Community Ministries; and Casa de Esperanza Ministries in Grand Haven. The church also supports Youth for Christ Grand Rapids.
Pastoral Leadership
Pastor Rick Vanderwal serves as the church's pastor and brings the Sunday message. Worship is led by Co-Worship Coordinators Autumn DeVries and Sharon VanderHeide, who shape the blended musical style that mixes traditional hymns with contemporary praise. Mary Brander serves as Treasurer, Ashley Kramer as the church's Administrative Assistant, and Joel Wustman as Custodian. The prayer line runs through the church office, where prayer requests can also be sent by email.
Staying Connected
Sermon videos are posted on YouTube, and a sermon audio archive is available on SoundCloud. The congregation stays in touch through a weekly bulletin, a newsletter, and "The Scoop," a recurring publication. Online giving is set up through Venmo at @SecondByronCRC. Members and visitors can also find Second Byron CRC on Facebook and Instagram.