Although he worked from Geneva, Switzerland, Calvin had significant impact on the Protestants of The Netherlands.  Three unifying documents (or “confessions”) organized the Christian Reformed Church at that time and remain foundational to the life and belief of the denomination today:  The Heidelberg Catechism, The Canons of Dordt and the Belgic Confession.

The Christian Reformed denomination is approximately 200,000 members strong and has its headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Its denominational university and seminary is Calvin University and Seminary, also located in Grand Rapids. Unique to the Christian Reformed Church is its belief in the centrality of the Word of God, the Bible, and in the sovereignty of God.  A famous leader of the denomination once championed:  There is not a single square inch in the entire universe over which God does not say “mine!”  Thus, Christian Reformed church members can be found in every occupation and calling of life, witnessing to the integration of faith and life.  Devotion to God is not limited to Sunday mornings; rather, “all of life is worship.” In fact, when you visit us at North Hills Church, notice that there are no sanctuary doors or interior windows — an architectural reflection of the church’s belief that there is no separation between worship and life