Marc's Short Messages

Sunday I leave for a four-day ministry trip to Israel. Appreciate your
prayers for a safe and fruitful time.

Happy birthday to Karolien. The boys showered her in confetti, and made a big heart out of Lego.

Struggling with planning these days. Too many events, trips, tasks and e-mails asking for attention. Some weeks I'm very focused, disciplined, and quite solidly on top on things. Other weeks I'm less disciplined, and 'work' becomes a multi-headed monster jumping in all directions. Shouting "Get back in your cage" doesn't really help. Perhaps deliverance is needed?

Roger Mitchell mailed me Obama's take on the role of faith in politics and society. A refreshingly holistic perspective, worth reading.

A few weeks ago we watched the movie 'A bridge too far' about Operation Market Garden, the renown Battle of Arnhem. Today I took the boys to the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek that describes this largest airborne operation in military history in detail, and we walked down the path to the Rhine that provided an escape for the Allied forces when the Germans advanced, and then up to the British military cemetery. Of course the boys were mainly interested in climbing tanks and trees, but for me walking this area made me realize once again that we owe our liberty to people sacrificing their lives. More pictures here.

Finally joined the inevitable Facebook community. See my profile here and add me as a friend if you want. Niina also set up a group for Connect Europe.

Quite breaking news in Joel News International this week: the city government in Amsterdam is closing down the infamous Red Light District.

I'm engaged in an interesting conversation with Ailín, a wiccan. Ailín said: "Thanks for responding so kindly. I had expected you would shout at me or try to convert me, because I'm a witch. Most Christians do that." Yeah, tell me. I always find it interesting to learn why people turn their back on Christianity (or rather the Church, not necessarily Jesus) and experience a sense of homecoming in another religion. For Ailín wicca is more holistic (in tune with creation and not male-dominated), respectful and peaceful towards other religions, and - contrary to Christianity - not (yet) corrupted by power and money.

Karolien and I went to Amsterdam to talk with Paul Abspoel, who directs the Christian publishing house ARK Books. They specialized in Bible-related books and colourful children's books. As Karolien is in the process of writing, and I'm publishing as well, it was helpful from various angles.

Theo Aerts told me that he describes his ministry with four P's: the Poor, Publishing, young Pioneers and the Presence of God. I like that. Should come up with something catchy like that to describe my quite unexplainable calling. Btw, we mainly talked about a revitalisation of the lighthouse concept, a prayer-based prototype of simple church.

Met with a few friends to pray in a greying monastery that will likely close down and be sold. There's a high pull on these kind of properties, mostly by project developers and banks whose main intent is to rebuild the whole thing into luxury apartments or office space and make money. At the same time a new reformational monastic movement is emerging in Europe, and many people in our network desire to form communities, training hubs and city transformation centers. It would make a lot of sense to transition existing monasteries into a new shape that will serve as inspiration centers for the future. Apostolic vision is competing with the interests of Mammon. Which of these will come through?

Caught up with Pieter Bos and he raised an interesting question: what are the four (or three, or five) major global issues on God's agenda that forerunner leaders in the Church have to actively engage with and equip the Body of Christ in? If you want to input, drop me an e-mail.

Hans Pruis gave me an update on the Rotterdam city transformation project, a 10 year process on which I blogged earlier. They want to identify and equip 5.000 leaders in various sections of society in Christian values, thus creating a critical mass for societal impact.

The West European team of Agapè asked me to help accelerate a discussion on 'next generation leadership development' with some provocative input. So I spent the morning in the IBIS Hotel in Veenendaal, which of course was also a good opportunity to catch up with the challenges of their ministry in Europe.

One of the core values of Connect Europe is corporate (not just individual) hearing and responding. We want to hear from God as a community, struggle and reason together, encourage and pray for each other, and shape the future together. Idealistic? Maybe, but it excites me way more than how most churches and ministries function.

In between some excellent pizza's and a Czech beer we caught up on life and the Connect journey. This morning we met in the Zinzendorfstrasse of all places to discuss the Moravian vow and our own reflections on developing covenantal relationships. The funny thing is: you won't find a Zinzendorfstrasse on the map of Prague. It's literally underground in the cellars of the stylish Sir Toby's hostel. And of course we didn't know this beforehand, we just don't manage to escape the good fellow.

Tomorrow I'll be off to Prague for a retreat with the Connect Europe core group. Look forward to that.

Johan den Hartogh and Jan Wolsheimer both set up a 24-7 'prayer shop' in the polder west of Utrecht. This afternoon I will meet with Johan in his shop in Kockengen, and next week they will host a combined information meeting in Woerden on 24-7prayer.

Spent a few days on retreat in Zuid-Limburg. Sun, ploughed fields, small streams, peaceful hills, quiet forests and the smell of mud and cow shit. Some pictures here.

It felt like Springtime this weekend; the climate is is 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule. Made some pictures in Diepenheim (Twente) and Bentheim (Germany), and some low-sun shots on the IJssel river, south of Deventer.

Yesterday I discovered a footpath straight through the polder wetlands from Westbroek to Hollandsche Rading. No roads, only wideness and skies. More pictures (not from me) here.

Rogier helps the Protestant Church in Utrecht to plant a new expression of church. He shares some observations here and here.

There are not many books that I finish in one evening. This is one of them: 'Dare to dream' by Mattheus van der Steen (Dutch only).

For Joel News International I'm currently looking for freelance journalists/editors who are keen to keep up with God's worldwide wonders and have a good feel for where the Kingdom is advancing.

Profile: - excellent nose for stories of where God's Kingdom is advancing - excellent, clear and to-the-point writing skills in English - good networking skills, preferably internationally - an ability to summarize stories and shift 'Kingdom value' from ministry interests - pro-active, initiating personality

Are you interested yourself or know someone who would fit this profile, then drop me a line at info@joelnews.org.

Jussi from Finland just mailed me: "Jesus led me to move and live in Turku a month ago. During the first week, as the beloved saints gathered in our little living room and worship started to flow to heaven, this town became home to me." I like the definition of 'home' as the place where God is leading us, and where we experience his presence.

The Connect Europe 2008 agenda is now online and will be updated regularly. This year several events and trips are shaping up that will provide excellent opportunities to see and taste what God is doing in other nations.

Since crime reporter Peter R. de Vries revealed on Dutch television last Sunday night that he 'solved' the Nathalee Holloway case, the nation got hooked to the story and it's still dominating the news. De Vries has been around for some time and has a reputation of thorough investigation, though it's not likely that the suspect's confession as such will be enough to get him convicted.

Oivind is leading us - the European DAWN team - into a strategic evaluation of vision, vehicle and future, and today I wrote my input for that process. In June we will meet in Kristiansand (Norway) and make some clear decisions. I already indicated that it's not likely for me to stay on in the current structure, as it's no longer a great fit. But who knows, something new might emerge...

Had an interesting conversation with Ian (24-7) about the subtle denominationalism than can creep also into the new movements, limiting us to see, cooperate and build with a Kingdom mindset beyond our own kind, box or brand. I'm getting more and more bored with these labels, as they tend to become counter-productive for how God is moving. We are called to be Jesus' people, not Soul Survivor, emerging church, 24-7prayer, DAWN, Connect, YWAM, Baptist Union or what.