Last June Redeemer said goodbye (sniff sniff) to the Parkers as they were sent to plant a church in Nijmegen, in east Netherlands, close to the German border. Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands (remind you of anywhere?!) and has a population of about 180,000. The Netherlands is an affluent country and most people are comfortable financially. This means comfort can be a big idol for the Dutch. As a result, there is an ambivalence to the church and Jesus. Like much of Western Europe, if people think about God at all, it is simply to think ‘why do I need Him?’
Plant Nijmegen, as it was originally called started life as four families called by God to step into this setting of ambivalence to show the people of Nijmegen the beauty of the church and their need for Jesus. To start with the focus was on the four families getting to know each other, building a team and getting themselves settled into a new country and city. Moving to a living in a foreign country involves a lot of life admin and logistical challenges. However,this allowed the team to all pitch in to help each other and strong personal bonds were built in this time, creating a strong foundation as a leadership team.
The church started life in September as small mid-week life groups and since the end of March has been meeting on Sunday under it’s new name, Novio church. There are approximately 20 adults and 20 children, which includes a core team of 18. The church is made up of a mix of Dutch and international families and includes some students. Services are led in Dutch with an English translation.
Traditionally, Dutch churches are more word focused and heavy on tradition so one of the challenges Novio faces is encouraging people to step into using the gifts of the spirit, both by modelling this and providing solid teaching. There is a mix of cultures, nationalities and life stages in the church and leadership team which has meant there is a real focus needed on building unity and church culture. An additional challenge for the Parkers is that they are planting a church at a very different life stage from when they planted Redeemer.
But it isn’t all challenges, God has been blessing the Parkers and the Novio church team abundantly. The Parkers moved to the Netherlands as a family of three, but are now a family of four, welcoming baby Eliza at the end of December last year. Jasper is as proud a big brother as you can imagine, gladly telling anyone within earshot that he has a little sister. Ben and Mikka have also both been blessed with the provision of jobs that they are both enjoying and feel fulfilled in. Rather than just being a means to get them into the Netherlands, both feel that their jobs are a part of the reason God has called them to Nijmegen.
They have also been blessed with great relationships with their fellow church planters. There is a strong team dynamic, but also a strong bond of friendship has already developed.
Please join us in praying for the following:
For Eliza’s passport to come through quickly so the Parkers can visit the UK in the summer.
That the church would see salvations early on and show the beauty of the church, to Christians and non-Christians alike
For the good leadership team dynamic that has developed to remain strong and continue to build.
That the Parkers would continue to learn how to balance to family life and church life well,
For their jobs to be extended beyond current contracts
Ben and Mikka would like to thank everyone who has supported them with prayer, financial gifts, encouragement and practical help. They were greatly blessed by how well they were sent by Redeemer. Well done church!