ECM International

ECM has one family working in the Netherlands. Strategy is being planned for church planting and development and the recruitment of both short and long term missionaries in the region as new ministry opportunities open up.

Introducing The Netherlands

The Netherlands has an international outlook; among other affiliations the country is a member of the European Union, NATO, the OECD, has signed the Kyoto treaty, and is host to four international courts. Along with Belgium and Luxemburg, the Netherlands is also one of three member nations of the Benelux economic union.

Spiritual Climate

The Netherlands is a richly multicultural society with diverse political parties which places high importance on the values of tolerance and equal rights. It is also strongly individualistic and humanistic.

The Reformation had a significant influence on Dutch society, but during the last century the effects have rapidly dwindled. The influence of the Christian Church on society steeply declined in the last century, and although the evangelical movement showed rapid growth, this did not prevent the decline in overall church affiliation. According to research by the Central Statistics Bureau 42% of the population did not consider themselves followers of any religion in 2004. Figures for 2008 will certainly be higher.

However, there is much to thank God for in the traditional Protestant churches: a growing evangelical movement which gives hope for the future. Unlike their parents, young people in general are becoming more open to the gospel. Although this openness embraces all forms of spiritual belief, religion is now no longer automatically rejected.

World mission to the Netherlands

Once primarily a sending base, Western Europe is now known in world mission terms as the ‘spiritually dark continent’ and has become a needy mission field. Our Korean and Latino fellow-Christians are showing us by example that mission is now from and to the six continents of the world. For example, Brazilian missionaries have planted a church attended by over 1000 ex-prostitutes in Amsterdam. The need is huge: every day hundreds of Brazilian and Russian young people arrive in the Netherlands, deceived into the sex trade by mafia organizations. As in many parts of Europe, mission in the Netherlands must cross borders of nationality, language, economic and social status.