Everyone wants to know the will of God for their life. Their purpose. Their calling. As Christians, this is something that we pray for, yearn for, and seek. But what do we actually do with that information when it is placed in our laps? Furthermore, when armed with God-given instructions, is our heart ready and willing to take on a task that might possibly require a huge sacrifice and a step/leap/cliff-dive of faith?
Recently, I found myself praying that very prayer. “Lord, show me your will. Lord, guide my footsteps along a path that is pleasing to you. “ I’m not sure what I expected God’s will for my life to be: …a good wife and mother…maybe to make it to the grocery store and back home without yelling at my kids and cutting off other cars on the road while sporting my church decal on my bumper…but, I certainly did not expect to hear God say to me, “Go to Holland and spread the Good News”. What? ME? I am not a preacher. I went to a Christian College but I am certainly not equipped for this job. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12-14.
Recently, I found myself praying that very prayer. “Lord, show me your will. Lord, guide my footsteps along a path that is pleasing to you. “ I’m not sure what I expected God’s will for my life to be: …a good wife and mother…maybe to make it to the grocery store and back home without yelling at my kids and cutting off other cars on the road while sporting my church decal on my bumper…but, I certainly did not expect to hear God say to me, “Go to Holland and spread the Good News”. What? ME? I am not a preacher. I went to a Christian College but I am certainly not equipped for this job. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12-14.
I remember telling my small group one evening that we felt like we were being called to the Netherlands as missionaries. I was asking for prayers for clarity. Like I said, I do not have a degree in theology so I didn’t think we were being asked to preach. And, in Holland, it’s not as if there is a need for clean drinking water, or starving families to feed, or orphans to parent. It became very apparent to me that this was going to be a very unique mission. The Netherlands is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The Dutch people are known for being very liberal, tolerant of controversial behaviors, stubborn, well educated, innovative and independent. I suppose if it were an easy task, there wouldn’t be such a great need!!!
“See a Need, Meet a Need” is a slogan that my church coined for service projects being done in the community. It is so much more than a #hashtag, it is a lifestyle. Most people would see this as ministering and showing God’s love by meeting physical needs. But the phrase struck a chord with me. The Netherlands has a NEED for the message of Jesus to be spread. The gospel is dying with the elderly and the good news is not being passed down and introduced to the younger generations. My husband and I were very clearly given a vision from God to meet that need through music. Contemporary, Christian, life-giving music that encourages, inspires and connects listeners to local churches and resources to help grow their faith. God has chosen us to bring the gospel to the Dutch people through Christian Radio. And when God gives you instructions, you don’t say no. Within 3 weeks of having this vision, we had the radio station up and running online and available via iTunes and TuneIn Radio. The radio was launched in May of 2014 and we now have 7,000+ listeners worldwide tuning in daily online and 14,000 people following us on twitter. God blesses those who are faithful. “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.
| In the upcoming months, we are planning to sell everything and move to the Netherlands to broadcast this radio station on the FM. My husband is very spontaneous and I am very type-A. Looking back on the past few months, I will confess that there have been some hiccups on my end that have caused my spirit to grow leaps and bounds as I press deeper into God and trust in Him during this adventure. My vision verse has been, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6. But I do have to laugh at God’s sense of humor. As if he already knew that I would need a little extra nudge to know and trust we were doing His will. You know the verse Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations— that’s what I had in mind for you.” Well that verse has taken on such a deeper meaning for me. Listen to how cool this is…all the while keeping in mind that I am not Dutch and we have no family or connections there. |  |
- My last name is Holland. I mean seriously, God had plans to send me to Holland to spread His word BEFORE I was in my mother’s womb! He put me in a family named Holland. LOL.
- I originally went to Gordon College as a pre-med student but when I decided to change my major to nursing I needed to transfer to a school with a nursing program. Through a series of events, I chose Hope College, which just so happens to be in Holland, Michigan, and their mascot is the Fighting Dutchmen.
- Lastly, my husband’s job transferred us overseas to Europe. We were all set and ready to live in Brussels, Belgium, when two weeks before moving to Europe, our destination was changed to Breda, Holland. And from that moment we completely fell in love with the country and the people.
That is God orchestrating His plan. Right. There!
We ask that you come alongside us and support us as we carry out God’s mission. This is a leap of faith and we need your fervent prayers. We have also decided to throw ourselves whole-heartedly into this mission; which means quitting our jobs and not allowing other jobs and distractions to take away from the time we spend carrying out this task. This is a huge leap of faith that God will provide financially…and continue to provide until His mission is complete. If you would like to support us financially as a one time offering or on a monthly basis, please visit the donate page on this website. The radio station is incorporated and approved for non-profit status. All donations are tax deductible with a return receipt. We thank you in advance for seeing our need, and meeting our need, as we follow God and reach the whole of the Netherlands with the gospel!
