It has been a big change. Not only did we move from a quiet hometown to a never-quiet metropolis, but also from a really conservative, Christian hometown to a city where everything is possible. Another thing that differs greatly is church culture.
The Netherlands used to be a very Christian country. In the 1970s more than 60% of the people were connected to a church. Nowadays, less than 10% go to church every Sunday and this is decreasing rapidly. Churches are being closed almost every week. In our hometown more than 90% of the people used to attend church, but this is also becoming less and less.
Why on earth…?
In 2014 we were part of a group that planted a Reformed Baptist Church in our hometown. It was a shock for the community. In a population of almost 21,000 people we have more than 20 churches. Almost all of them are Reformed and there is one Pentecostal Church. So why on earth plant a Reformed Baptist Church in this place?