Who we are

Classis Grand Rapids East consists of a group of Christian Reformed congregations located in southeast Grand Rapids, MI. The 15 member congregations range in age from 40 to 150 years, and vary in size from 200 to 1000 members, for a combined total membership of about 9,000 persons. Member congregations also sponsor several emerging and multi-site congregations within or in proximity to south east Grand Rapids.

As a community of congregations, classis supports campus and chaplaincy ministry, leadership training, diaconal and development work, and new and emerging churches. By way of financial grants to local programs, organizations, and member congregations, classis serves children and youth, and persons and families in transition or crisis, in ways that individual congregations cannot do alone.

Classis Grand Rapids East also is the geographic home to Calvin College, Calvin Theological Seminary, and the Michigan-based denominational offices of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Delegates from the churches meet at least three times annually for worship and prayer, collaborative ministry, governance and fellowship. Each member congregation delegates a minister, an elder, and a deacon to each meeting of classis. Meetings are planned by the Executive Team, with input from the Ministry Plan Team.

A classis is a group of congregations within a designated geographic area. The 1000 Christian Reformed congregations in Canada and the United States make up 47 classes (i.e. clas-ses).

Click here to view a powerpoint of the history or where we came of Classis Grand Rapids East.

Click here to view a powerpoint of old photos of the early days of Classis Grand Rapids East.

Click here to view of where the Classis Grand Rapids East is today.

Click here to view photos of the Classis Grand Rapids East Worship Service and Ice Cream Social.