In the coming years, we will develop and implement activities around the three main themes we received:
1. The fivefold ministry.
– My upcoming book will be about this, it is expected to be published in the spring. For this I have interviewed quite a number of leaders and more interviews will follow with some of them. Hans Maat, Martin Koornstra, Christian Tan, Anne Borkent, Alexander & Judith Emoghene, Daniël van Deutekom, Jarno van Dijk, Stef Schagen, Sebastiaan van Wessem, Ad de Krijger, Nigel Reid, Ian McCormack, Zoran Spasovski and Dick and Arleen Westerhof have all contributed. So the book will not only reflect my own views but have a broader view of the fivefold ministry in practice.
– Obviously, the fivefold ministry does not fit within the current church (church as an institution), but that is not strange. The fivefold ministry was never intended to fit within the church as we know it today, but to equip an Ekklesia. An Ekklesia was a governing body in the ancient world at the time of Jesus. In our belief, it is not for nothing that Jesus chose this word when He said His apostles would “build the church.” Our translation and understanding of the word Ekklesia is far from complete nor correct. So we see the fivefold ministry as something much broader than just working within the church, but to equip the saints for influencing society through an Ekklesia. We develop all kinds of activities around that.
2. The Kingdom of God
My first book, Building the Kingdom, was also about this. It is my conviction that this is the time to build the Kingdom. Not in a worldly way through power, through political games or money, but by the Holy Spirit inspired solutions to the problems present in the world. This is what we teach, speak about and build.
3. Spiritual parenthood.
When I (Samuel) was 16 years old it was said in the churches that there was a shortage of (spiritual) fathers (and mothers). In my observation, it is still the case that young(er) Christians grow up as (spiritual) orphans, without people to help them move forward with issues they face in their lives. Giving advice, solicited and unsolicited input on their relationships, raising their children, finances, work, etc. Not only are we, Hope and Samuel, spiritual parents ourselves to a whole number of young people, we want to make it a point to motivate and help others take on this hugely important role. There is a glaring shortage of people who actually care about young people and are willing to invest (a lot of) time in them. We are convinced that this is one of the most important tasks ahead for our generation.
We will promote these themes in the Netherlands and Europe, as well as on our travels that we hope to undertake.
Building the Kingdom
The work on the English translation of my second book, which is called “Building the Kingdom,” is finished and the book is available via Building the Kingdom | Universal Book Links helpt je boeken te vinden bij je favoriete winkel! or through Amazon https://tinyurl.com/57w4449e
Evangelical Christian College, Kathmandu, Nepal
The Bible college in Nepal has grown rapidly in recent years. When we started there were 9 students. Now the school is bursting at the seams with 60+ students and the first batch of students have graduated and left to do ministry, plant churches and serve God all over the country.
(more info: https://www.the1820foundation.nl/2023/08/23/evangelical-christian-college-kathmandu-nepal/)
Support
Of course, all of these projects and trips cost time and money.
We want to ask you to consider helping this ministry with a financial gift.
You can use our bank account (payment link below) or click on the PayPal link.
Thank you so much!
https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=l9w0_H5LQn-dNTBSoB25QQ