Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Holland is a nation of paradoxes, known for its great history as a Christian nation, and its present permissive society. Today Holland is a society predominant with drugs, loose life styles, prostitution, homosexuality, abortion and euthanasia. However, charismatic and evangelical movements within the Church are seeing growth with Bible studies, Alpha groups, and home prayer cell networks. In recent years there has been growing cooperation towards ministry in the country, in outreach to street youth, drug addicts and prostitutes, as well as in Christian broadcasting. Home cell groups, new free churches, and great international congresses hosted by the Netherlands have multiplied. This includes the Mission congresses for youth and the three large Billy Graham evangelists' congresses held in Amsterdam.

YWAM in NETHERLANDS:
YWAM began working in the Netherlands in 1973 and now has 2 main bases: Amsterdam and Heidebeek (Heerde), plus teams based in Arnhem, Ede and Assen. The European office is in Centrum 's Heerenhof (Heerde). Mercy Ships also has an office in Rotterdam. Impact World Tours (IWT) have an office in Hoornaar, where evangelistic campaigns are being coordinated, starting in the south in 2002 (Limburg), and continuing northwards in 2003 (South Holland: Delft, the Hague and Rijswijk) and 2004.

prayer needs:
- for revival and renewal of Christian norms and values, and the planting of relevant new expressions of church, among youth, ethnic minorities and the un-churched Dutch.
- new visa agreements with the government for foreign workers.