Berdine van den Toren-Lekkerkerker, Netherlands
Living a life of mission, both locally in our community and globally as I support Christian leaders in Africa and Asia to resource others.
Living a life of mission, both locally and globally…
This is my passion. But what does this mean? Locally, it means that with my husband Benno, we are part of a core team of a church community in a neighbourhood of Groningen where social cohesion is strong but where people face many challenges. Globally, it means that I draw on many years of cross-cultural mission and theological understanding to help support emerging church leaders in places where they are acutely needed but face insecurity and risk.
Get all Berdine’s news and updates:
SIGN UP
Related prayer news and stories
North Africa and Spain: looking after mission workers
Mission partners based in Spain serve mission workers in North Africa through providing leadership development, debriefing and spiritual direction. Pray for them as they develop their residential retreat property with a view to being able to host larger groups. Read more
Signalling support for two years
Since Russia’s violent invasion of Ukraine two years ago, faithful supporters have been meeting weekly on Saturday evenings to pray. Read more
Berdine’s story
In many parts of the world, the church is growing, sometimes in the face of violence, threats and war. In other places, Christians remain a tiny minority in the shadow of other religions and growing fundamentalism. This is why raising up well-equipped Christian leaders is vital to help Christians hold onto their faith and live out the gospel despite the challenges.
I spend a good portion of my time travelling to places like these in Africa and Asia and spending time at schools for mission and theology where teachers are doing a great job but are often overwhelmed, overstretched and isolated. In addition to some training and teaching, I get alongside these teachers, listening to them, encouraging them and helping them feel less alone and vulnerable.
I have great empathy for these educators, as I spent many years teaching at a theological school in Bangui, in the Central African Republic (CAR). I return to the CAR for a few weeks every year to help raise up Christian leaders despite the volatile context.
Back in the Netherlands, my husband Benno is professor of intercultural theology at the Protestant Theological University in Groningen, where the world often comes to him; part of his role includes being responsible for international students.
Feeling generous?
Some ways to support our wider work
Time for a story?
See what God does through your prayers and gifts
Meet new people?
Get to know the people who make up our global family
