{"id":21704,"date":"2026-07-02T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cgk.nl\/?p=21704"},"modified":"2026-07-02T09:45:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T07:45:32","slug":"how-evangelists-set-out-with-coffee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cgk.nl\/en\/evangelisatie\/hoe-evangelisten-met-koffie-op-pad-gaan\/","title":{"rendered":"How evangelists set out with coffee"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sharing something of the Gospel often begins with building relationships with people. But how do you go about connecting with those around you? Many evangelists seem to do this over a cup of coffee: they take coffee to the market or seek out local coffee shops. Evangelists from the missionary initiatives in Naarden, Amsterdam-Noord and Echt in Limburg share their approach and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee van in Naarden<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In Naarden, Rev. Droger is exploring his role as a missionary pastor. He has been living here since last April, having been called by CGK Ouderkerk aan de Amstel-Naarden. Getting to know people is the order of the day: the local community, organisations, other Christians, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s free\u201d<\/strong>
Rev. Droger had already had the Naarden annual fair in mind even before the move. He decided to reserve a spot there. So, at the start of June, he was there together with volunteers from Beans & Better coffee concept<\/a> in a trendy, food-truck-style bus. Signs clearly indicate that coffee is available, but prices aren\u2019t displayed. So anyone fancying a coffee joins the queue, places their order and has their debit card at the ready: \u201cHow much is it?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s free,\u201d comes the reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giving what we receive<\/strong>
\u201cMost people think you\u2019re joking,\u201d says Rev. Droger. \u201cBut no, it really is free.\u201d This always requires some explanation for the recipient. The link to the Gospel is then readily made. \u201cWe give away good coffee for free because we live on what we receive from God.\u201d Whilst some people simply walk off with their coffee, many others linger for a moment. \u201cThey ask further questions about where you\u2019re from or what exactly you mean.\u201d It leads to lots of little chats, including about God and faith, and is therefore a valuable starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for the next instalment<\/strong>
Rev. Droger hopes to establish a recognisable presence in the neighbourhood in future, so that he can get to know people better. Together with the prayer group, the plan for the coming period is to explore the best next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cargo bike in Amsterdam<\/strong>-North<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In Amsterdam-Noord, community pastor Theodoor Meedendorp has been active for around twelve years. Over the years, he has built up a wide network of contacts, making him a familiar face in the neighbourhood. He speaks to local residents, for example, at the community centre or at the food bank distribution point, but also on the street or \u2013 if asked \u2013 in their homes. For him, a cup of coffee is often a way of offering people a listening ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An experiment<\/strong>
Theodoor was recently offered a free cargo bike. He doesn\u2019t have any specific plans for the bike yet, but he does have some ideas. \u201cFor me, it\u2019ll be a sort of experiment. What will it add to what I\u2019m already doing?\u201d\" <\/strong>The challenge is to ensure that the bicycle does not get in the way of natural interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theodoor\u2019s table<\/strong>
An acquaintance of Theodoor\u2019s, who is a carpenter, comes up with the idea of turning the bike into a mobile table. That way, you can do all sorts of things with it: stand round the table, play a game on it, light a candle on it or, of course, make a cup of coffee on it. Theodoor\u2019s first concrete idea is to offer coffee to the group of people he often meets at the shopping centre: \u201cHey lads, fancy a coffee? Because I\u2019ve got some with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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