A New Frontier: Frontlines in the Netherlands
We are incredibly grateful and happy that Frontlines International has started a Dutch branch. The name in the Netherlands is Frontlinie NL. Together we want to provide persecuted Christians with everything they need to persevere through times of persecution and flourish spiritually.
In 2023, Jan Stoorvogel and his wife Esther went to a very closed country to bring training and discipleship resources to leaders of the underground church.. What an intense week this was. There was so much hunger for the Gospel and for God’s word. At the same time, there was so much fear and many of them had experienced serious traumas. We were able to pray for them, and encourage them, we were allowed to feed them with God’s word that gave hope. At the same time, we were allowed to learn from them. How they cling to God. How God truly is hope in a situation of despair. How His light shines, in the midst of darkness.
In the weeks and months that followed, Jan increasingly realized that this trip had not been a one-off. He read several books about the persecuted church and about people who had a ministry there. In addition, themes such as suffering for the sake of Christ, persecution and perseverance came his way in various ways. Through this whole process, the conviction grew that God was calling him to a new ministry.
In the spring of 2023, Jan contacted his friend George, who has been in ministry among the persecuted church for many years. They have known each other for many years, but they had lost sight of each other a bit. Jan shared the process he was going through and that he increasingly felt a calling to take up a ministry to support the persecuted church.
During the conversations that followed, the conviction to start Frontlinie NL came from both sides. The way Frontlines International works resonated in Jan’s heart. Distributing Bibles, training churches and church leaders under pressure, the missionary focus, but also the pioneering character and preparing the Western church for opposition or persecution. It felt to Jan, who is a pastor himself, that all the things he had learned in the past came together for this one purpose.
In the autumn of 2023, the first steps were taken to set up a foundation in the Netherlands. Many practical matters had to be arranged. They truly saw God’s guidance throughout the entire process. He provided everything they needed at every moment. Entrepreneurs started investing to make the start possible, they received a bank account in a special way after many prayers and people made their expertise available. As of September 1, 2024, the ministry was officially launched in the Netherlands.
The special thing is that several people already joined in the preparations. As a result, Frontlinie NL already has a wonderful team. We have people for marketing, communication, prayer, fundraising, administration, project management. In addition, there is a financial office that ensures thorough administration and processing of all incoming finances.
The team has already made a first trip to Lebanon. The situation was already intense when they were there. A war with Israel was in the air. In addition, the country has already had many different crises. Think of the explosion in the port of Beirut, the economic crisis, Covid and the enormous refugee crisis in the Middle East. All this together makes many people tired. Tired of the constant pressure, all the uncertainty. At the same time, there are also enormous opportunities for the Gospel. Many people come to faith.
As a team, they were able to encourage people, pray with people, but also listen to their stories. The entire journey has made their hearts for the persecuted church grow. God works in such a powerful way. At the same time, there is so much need and sorrow. The time in which we live is special. It is a great honor to be allowed to serve as a Frontlines team member in a broken world where God shows His light.
The team has now started in the Netherlands. The first speaking engagements have been held in churches. People are joining in. They want to be part of God’s story throughout this history. In addition, the team has started planning various trips and developing training courses for churches in the Netherlands and Belgium.
One of these training courses focuses on Christian leaders in the West. We live in a culture where we always look for the most comfortable life possible. As a result, we tend to avoid or numb suffering. While there are often deep lessons to be found in the midst of suffering. During this training, Frontlinie NL wants to take people to a deeper intimacy with God. To discover that you may find yourself in God in the midst of opposition and difficulty and that you may become freer from this world.
Now that Frontlinie NL has started, we may enter a new phase as an organization. We may increasingly more places have impact. In order to be a blessing to the persecuted church. And to learn lessons from the persecuted church. So that the church of Jesus Christ may increasingly let its light shine in this world. To hear from our Dutch office and to receive their newsletter and prayer alerts, please sign up at this link: https://frontlinie.org/nieuwsbrief/
