On January 3rd, 2025 I boarded an airplane bound for the Netherlands. It had been twenty-one years since I left Trinity Baptist International Church of the Hague. For many years Nicole and I fondly shared the story of the “best four years of our life” as we reflected on our time in Holland. I wondered what Trinity would be like now. Few familiar faces remained. Pastor John Johnson had recently left and the pain of the church was clear through his words of caution and hope. What was I walking into? Why was God sending me back? Would I fall in love with Holland and Trinity all over again? Was that even possible? With a full heart and so many questions I boarded and made my way across the Ocean with full confidence that if God was sending me, I had a job to do and He would go before me and behind me.
Tinashe picked me up at Schiphol Airport on a cold, sunny, January morning. He is impossible not to love. This wonderful Zimbabwean man with an incredible smile, warm hug and eyes dancing with expectation was just the beginning of my onboarding to a new season of falling in love with Trinity Church. Carol and Tinashe took me on a tour of the Church building and my new flat. I was overcome with happiness from the first day. One of the first happy discoveries was that the Elders on the Board were all wonderful, servant-minded, spirit-filled men. Carol was volunteering as the church administrator and was ever ready to help me find my feet and make me feel at home. I started learning names, listening to stories and sharing meals at home after home. Thank you to all of you who welcomed me with open arms. It soon became clear that Trinity Church was ready to move on from a difficult season and begin again with a forward-facing vision leading to new life. When Henriette planted the palm by the front door it became a symbol of hope for this new season of growth. Slowly we began to establish a new rhythm of peaceful gathering in a community of grace and understanding where there was once again a feeling of freedom and safety. We changed our posture from defensiveness and hurt to one of hospitality and fellowship. Gone are the days of conflict and fear. We have seen God’s People at Trinity emerge and embrace this new season with joy.
Nicole was able to join me on Valentine’s Day and we have fallen in love with Trinity and Holland all over again. You are a Church filled with talent, love and faithfulness. We love the diversity and the hunger for Christian community. Trinity, you have given the world 40 years of Christ’s love and hope. We see another 40 years ahead and thank God. Pastor John Johnson will arrive in a couple more weeks to take the baton back from me and lead Trinity in the next season. I thank God for him. A lot has changed since he left and I know he will love every minute with you all. Trinity is once again a place of peace, of joy, of hope and healing for the Nations. God provided and He will continue to provide. Now is the time to press-in, to invest, to grow and to rejoice. The best is yet to come, but today things are pretty good and for that we rejoice together. Trinity, you have been faithful, you have been generous, you have been kind and you have made Nicole and I feel so loved. You have won our heart. We love you and we cherish every moment we have here. Thank you.
“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 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.”
