This week marks one-year since Nicole and I made the move to the Netherlands in October 2025. It is important that we take time to reflect on where we have been, to understand where we are at and to identify where we are going. When I arrived in January 2025 it was understood that I would give 90-days to Trinity Church as the interim Senior Pastor in an effort to help bring unity and peace back into a church in crisis. By God’s grace those 90-days were like an “anointed bubble.” God blessed us. His Favor was everywhere. Trinity Church bounced-back with vigor. We got back on track with a focus on trustworthy leadership committed to clear communication and transparency. It was during that time that I wrote the following statement to be a beacon for us as we moved back towards health:
“Trinity International Church is a safe, welcoming, community of Christ-followers who uphold a high view of Scripture, celebrate unity in diversity and participate fully in the abiding Christian life as described in the Bible. We are united by the principle that in the essentials there should be unity, in all else there should be charity.”
Six-months later I arrived back in the Netherlands as the permanent Senior Pastor. It was a move I didn’t see coming but one God clearly ordained. 2025 was a year of Renewal & Restoration; making room for new life. The initial work was to restore health, trust, unity and hope. We cleared physical clutter, addressed neglected facilities, renewed our commitment to Scripture and our constitutional foundations, rebuilt relationships, and restored a sense of freedom, laughter, respect and community. We also renewed our public presence through our website and social media. The result: A church beginning to recover its health, rediscover its identity and believe in its future.
At the beginning of 2026 the Elders and I declared our theme for the year would be, “Together, On Mission.” Together we committed to rebuilding our foundation.
This year we are building a strong, united and aligned leadership culture. The elders are learning to lead collaboratively through trust, shared responsibility and delegation. We are expanding and equipping our deacon team, strengthening staff relationships, developing ministry structures and creating healthier communication with the congregation. We reestablished small groups as the core connection point for building community. We also realigned our elder oversight areas and added a few more areas like Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry and Adult Education. We took seriously our church Constitution which called for a Finance Committee and a Church Clerk. Each of these positions has been filled and we have committed to do our best to elect deacons who will direct each of our 18 ministries according to the Constitution. We currently have nine of the 20 deacons in place with eleven more soon to be introduced and voted into service. The result: We are creating a stronger foundation of leadership, relationships and shared ministry.
As we come to the close of 2026 we anticipate finishing strong, Together. The Elders and I are currently working on a 5-year vision plan which we will introduce at year’s end. It has been a very productive two years and we have all seen the supernatural hand of God and His favor on our Church. The best is yet to come.
Pastor Dan
