Monica and I both come from strong Christian backgrounds. I was raised to know and love Jesus but in my teenage years I completely walked away from my faith. Through much pain and struggle God brought me back to him as I learned that it was only through His power and the saving grace of Jesus that I could experience true joy and peace in my life. From a young age Monica always felt the desire to serve the Lord in ministry somewhere. Through some trials one of the key lessons the Lord has taught Monica is to always find your identity and worth in the Lord. He is worthy of our trust and always faithful.
We met at Capernwray Hall Bible School in England and married a year later. From the beginning of our marriage we knew God was calling us into missions, we just weren’t sure where. Through experiences such as returning to Capernwray Hall as volunteers, to building houses for families in extreme poverty in Mexico we explored this calling and God affirmed it to us! While visiting the Netherlands on a holiday from our work in England God impressed on our hearts the deep lostness and spiritual need of the Dutch people. This has never left us. 3 years ago, we joined Greater Europe Mission and 1 year ago we moved to the Netherlands!
OUR CURRENT ROLE
We are actively involved in a street evangelism organization here in Alkmaar called Kracht om te Veranderen (Power to Change). My roles include being part of the core leadership team, recruiting and leading short term teams, and going out on the streets telling people about Jesus! The biggest challenge we face is how to spread the Gospel in new and engaging ways. Dutch people are very closed, especially when it comes to talking about matters of faith. Too often we are met with cold indifference, postmodern worldviews and sadly people who have been hurt by churches or religious organizations and want nothing to do with God.
My secondary roll is a part time position at Tyndale Theological Seminary as Facility Manager. Tyndale is unique as it is a seminary that offers full scholarships to pastors and christian leaders from Asia, Africa and eastern Europe. The faculty is comprised of like minded missionaries from all over the world working together to teach and disciple these future leaders to go back to their home countries and do the same.
Monica is our prayer coordinator for Kracht om te Veranderen and aside from her responsibilities as a mother, is actively engaging the moms in our community in hopes to start a small Bible study and share the love Jesus has for them!
ABOUT GREATER EUROPE MISSION
Greater Europe Mission was founded in 1944 with the goal of sharing the gospel with disillusioned post WW2 European people who had seen so much loss and despair. Since that time GEM has grown to 3 different sending countries and over 300 missionaries serving across Europe. Sadly, in most European countries only about 3% profess a relationship with Jesus. Europe needs Jesus! Greater Europe Mission exists to relationally connect and reach the unbelieving and uncommitted across Europe. To grow and deepen them in their faith through intentional discipleship and to empower and send them out to impact their world for Christ. GEM missionaries are involved in many different types of work, with the common goal of expanding God’s kingdom and reaching Europe by multiplying disciples and growing Christ's Church.