European Missions Outreach

P.O. Box 211711

Augusta, GA. 30917-1711

Hermanb@europeanmissions.org

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Matthew 28:19

           Three years ago Betsy and I received a burden for the spiritual state of the people in my birth country, Holland.  A year later we went on a mission trip to Delft, Holland and assisted a missionary couple working there.  During the two years following the trip the desire for us to go back and minister to the Dutch people continued to grow in our hearts.  In April 1997, we returned to Holland and received confirmation of the Lord’s calling three separate times.  Also during that visit the call to minister to the people of Europe grew in our hearts to a new level.  We now know that the call the Lord placed in our hearts is not just for Holland but for all of Europe. 

Betsy and I have both been called to a life of ministry.  I was called to ministry when I was 16 and waited for manifestation of that call until now at the age of 43.  During the past 27 years the Lord has been preparing me to answer the call to Europe in a variety of ways. I have been a home group pastor for 6 years, have taught Sunday school and have done extensive Christian counseling, primarily with young adults.  I have recently received a theology degree from Christian Life School of Theology.  In order to support my family, I have been working in the computer industry as a Senior Systems Analyst for the past 20 years.  Betsy has been a praise and worship leader and most recently has been coordinating the children’s ministry at our church.  She has a Master’s Degree in education and has worked in that field throughout our 23 years of marriage.  We have two children, Paul, 22, a United States Marine and Miesje, 18, a first year college student. 

Our primary objective is to plant churches throughout Europe, to disciple the people and train leadership so the churches can become self-sufficient in all areas of ministry.  Initially we will be very involved in pastoring and discipling a young church in Delft, Holland.  We will be working with a network of four churches located throughout Europe and will be closely involved in the planning of future churches and prayerfully selecting new locations.  Currently there are three new churches in the prayer and planning stage. The Lord has also placed on our hearts the need to establish a good Bible school to train the growing number of local nationals who are called to be leaders in their churches.  We are committed to the Ephesians 4:11-12 mandate to equip the saints for the work of the ministry to which they are called.

The needs are very obvious when looking at the current state of the body of Christ throughout Europe.  Some example country statistics of church affiliation are:  (From “Operation World” by Patrick Johnstone)

·         All of Europe is 2.8% evangelical compared to the United States which is 38% evangelical.

·         Ireland, Roman Catholic 91.6% attendance 81%, evangelical 0.87%. 

·         Belgium, Roman Catholic 87.3%, evangelical 0.32%, Spirit Filled 0.12%, Jehovah Witnesses 0.8%. 

·         France, Roman Catholic 68%, evangelical 0.63%, Spirit Filled 0.38%, Jehovah Witness 0.37%.

·         Netherlands, Roman Catholic 35.6%, evangelical 5.1%, Spirit Filled 2.24%.  What’s disturbing is that in 1900 Protestant was 61% and now at 28.3%, now that’s decline.

·         Germany, Protestant 37%, evangelical 3.2%, no percent of Pentecostals given.

The Protestants and Catholics in the above statistics generally reflect traditional affiliation, not necessarily what they practice or even believe.  The church throughout Europe is in a state of fast decline.  The fastest and sometimes only growing religious organization is Jehovah’s Witnesses due to the large number of Jehovah’s Witnesses missionaries.  One other growing religious group is Muslim due to the ethnic immigration.  The current state of the Christian church body in Europe can not support the expected upcoming revival, so the need for church planting is great.

Betsy and I will be located in Delft, Netherlands.  The primary needs that we have are consistent intercessory prayer and financial support.  We believe the call to minister in Europe will last at least three to five years making consistent ongoing support vital. It is our prayer that the Lord will place on your heart the needs for the body of Christ in Europe and that you will partner with us with your ongoing prayers and financial support.  We are very excited about the great adventure that we are embarking on and expect to see many miracles as we walk in the call God has placed in our hearts.  May God bless you as you commit this to prayer.  (Matthew 28:19-20)

If you would like to be a part of this exciting ministry Please pray.  If the Lord places on your heart to help support this ministry please make checks Payable to EMO-Herman & Betsy and Mail to:

European Missions Outreach

Herman & Betsy Bouwhuizen

P.O. Box 211711

Augusta, GA 30917-1711

 European Missions Outreach is a non-profit ministry recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization. The full amount (100%) of your giving comes to the mission field.