To Whom Do They Minister?

An old Dutch saying is that "God created the heavens and the earth, but the Dutch made Holland". Since early times the Dutch (16.5 million) have been protecting and reclaiming their land from the sea. The Dutch are characterized by a strong sense of individualism. They say that if one were to put two Dutchmen in a room together they would form a debating society; if three Dutchmen gather in a room, they will start a church.

The success of missions work in Holland is dependent upon many factors but especially upon God's calling, God's saving grace and the missionary's commitment to God's plan for church planting. Holland needs no further theological reform; their Reformed Church (the doctrines of Calvin) is known for its coldness. They need no further help in establishing spiritual laws to govern the religious life of the individual - the spiritual lawyers of this generation "have taken away the key of knowledge" that would open the door of personal salvation for the Dutch (Luke 11:52); the Roman Catholic Church has such an influence in the south of Holland that it is no longer a religion but a life-style. They certainly need no further help from the Jehovah Witnesses or the Mormons who lead them astray, or the other denominations who seek only their money and membership.

What Holland needs are patient missionaries who will love the Dutch with God's love, who will preach the Gospel with compassion, who will give of themselves, who will invest the time to be a friend, who not only point out the way to serve God but who will help them and stand by them in following God's will; missionaries who are not afraid to accept the Dutch as they are.