Greetings from Amsterdam! I know it was just a couple of weeks ago that I sent you our last (rather extended, “State of the Ministry”) prayer letter. But since January’s letter didn’t make it out until the end of the month, and since March is already coming quickly (considering the fact that February is a shorter month), I just wanted to send out something that could let you know how you could be praying for us at this time.

As such, this month’s prayer letter will not be as narrative as usual. Instead, I wanted to ask for your prayer support for a specific initiative which I personally feel to be one of the most strategic elements of ministry in our church right now. Since December, we’ve developed a group of “Pastors-In-Training” (I mentioned this briefly in our last prayer letter as well). These are all young men with a proven commitment to Christ and to Zolder50—and our desire is to take the coming year to focus specifically on developing godly character, Biblical proficiency, and effective ministry skills in a synergistic environment that will allow us all to grow in spiritual leadership. Part of this is “on-the-job” training in the basics of day-to-day ministry (things like preparing for a sermon, coaching home group leaders, managing church finances, etc.). Part of this is reading books together and discussing the application of what we’re learning. And part of this is simply getting to know each other deeply and develop spiritual friendships that can allow the Holy Spirit to work in each of our lives. We meet together twice a month to accomplish this, which is, realistically speaking, not a whole lot of time together (considering everything that we’re trying to accomplish)—but working within the constraints of busy schedules of people who don’t have the luxury of working full-time for the church, we’re trusting God to make the most out of our efforts to develop shepherds for God’s flock in Amsterdam.

Therefore, I want to ask you to be praying for this initiative, and in particular I want to ask for you to be praying for each of the individuals involved. To facilitate your intercession for these young men, I’ve put together some brief biographical sketches of each individual, so you can know them and pray for them more effectively. Will you please keep these men in your prayers—especially over the coming month?

Name: Marco P.
Birthplace: Purmerend, Noord Holland, NL
"Day Job:" Student in International Relations and Journalism, Vrije Universiteit
Spiritual Gifts: Hospitality, Service/Helps, Music
Ministry Roles: Home Group Leader, Worship team, Art Community
Interests / Hobbies / Special Characteristics: Photography, Music (guitar), Writing, Community house
Prayer Requests: more confidence in public ministry, more direction in purpose for my life and what talents to pursue, more strength to develop a sense of fellowship and community in the student house I live in.

Name: Marc L.
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL
"Day Job:" Network Infrastructure Design Consultant
Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Knowledge, Administration, Music
Ministry Roles: Home Group Leader, Worship Band Member
Interests / Hobbies / Special Characteristics: wife Heidi (married 16 months), daughter Elora (2 months), photography, studying Cisco (profession)
Prayer Requests: find God's heart for my/our life; how to be a Christian in the professional world; how to do less, be more, and thereby advance the Kingdom

Name: Will L.
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, USA
"Day Job:" Missionary with GCM
Spiritual Gifts: Faith, Discernment, Music, Craftsmanship
Ministry Roles: Worship Leader, Web Designer, Home Group Leader
Interests / Hobbies / Special Characteristics: spending time with wife Jenni and son Adriaan (14 months), music, graphic design, sports (Ultimate Frisbee)
Prayer Requests: upcoming transition from NL to USA to NL for debriefing, raising financial support, and preparing for long-term ministry in Amsterdam following two-year internship (by the time this year is over, we will have moved 8 or 9 times within last four years!)

Name: Gerard V.
Birthplace: Utrecht, Utrecht, NL
"Day Job:" Youth Worker with Youth For Christ
Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Exhortation, Apostleship
Ministry Roles: Home Group Leader, Prayer Coordinator
Interests / Hobbies / Special Characteristics: reading, social involvement (just being around other people!), nature, hiking
Prayer Requests: grace to deal with kids from difficult backgrounds in my job (primarily Moroccan teenagers from poorer neighborhoods of Amsterdam), deepening commitment to Jesus, greater understanding of my role in God’s Kingdom

Name: Kor G.
Birthplace: Meppel, Drenthe, NL
"Day Job:" Student in Theology, Vrije Universiteit
Spiritual Gifts: Teaching, Hospitality, Giving
Ministry Roles: Home Group Leader
Interests / Hobbies / Special Characteristics: social justice (work with homeless and refugees), philosophy, literature
Prayer Requests: combining ministry and theology together

Basically for reasons of space, I decided not to include profiles for me and Todd (the existing pastors of Zolder50)—but we could definitely use your prayer support as well! It really is amazing to understand the power of prayer, and I hope that you will join with us in asking for God’s blessing over the Pastors-In-Training. Thanks for being with us and for us. Your support for our ministry is a vital part of God’s work here in the city.

Eric