Rev Den Boer was involved in missionary work in the far North for many years. Now that he is leaving this work, he looks back on the things that have impressed him most.
Working with dedication
I see it as God's guidance and a privilege to have been involved in missionary work from our churches for a number of years. Being on the small committee for the mission field in the far north was a good time. We got to know and appreciate each other better personally and especially at the general deputation meetings we met each other from the breadth of our churches.
The great commitment of the committee members, the enthusiasm of the consultant and the accurate leadership of the moderation committee were always satisfying. They were an incentive to think about all kinds of aspects of missionary work, sometimes out loud, and to participate in meetings and reflective conferences.
Working on awareness
The meetings with the municipalities that specially The project in the far north support, were valuable. Mission tries in many ways to motivate churches and make them mission-conscious. I see that as the main focus of our deputation. Especially as our country is rapidly becoming a mission field itself.
Working in trust in God
Unforgettable were the working visits to the area. There we attended the annual evangelists' conference and spent a Sunday at the headquarters of the evangelical brotherhood. Impressive-and shameful-I experienced the services: so reverent, simple, serious and joyful and welcoming.
As a preacher from the Netherlands, you were the first to be given space to preach a sermon(s). They would then love to hear a testimony from the Netherlands of God's work to convert and save sinners. That is what the evangelists and their (often large) families are very focused on, and they are very willing to do a lot for that. For that they make sacrifices and sometimes risk their lives.
If you read the accounts of the evangelisation journeys across the tundra and of the many trials and dangers along the way, you are always struck by the fact that with them it is: first pray, then call. Their trust in God makes one envious. They live close to the Lord and to His Word and there is a strong bond of love between them.
Witnesses as DNA
I am grateful for all the meetings and experiences with the evangelical brotherhood in this mission field. Also for the particularly good cooperation with Friedensstimme, from whom we took over this project at the time and also literally took charge of it. And I am grateful for the great sacrificial spirit of the congregations who purposefully hand over their gifts for this piece of work above the Arctic Circle. Gifts of love from warm hearts for an area where it is often, literally and spiritually, icy cold.
Witnessing to the one Name Jesus to salvation is the first calling of the Christian church. It defines our DNA: De Naam -Jesus- Alone, for all.
