Messy Church leaders of the world
As a follow up to the May 2022 Messy Church International Conference (MCIC)we are focusing on our global partners rather than highlighting a USA Messy Church of the Month. Today we meet the teams from Netherlands and Norway. Read about 10 highlights of the MCIC here. Read about the Messy leaders in UK, Australia and New Zealand here. Discover the teams from Germany, Sweden and South Africa here.
Messy Church in the Netherlands
Meet the TEam Leaders
Nelleke Plomp and Iris Goudcamp are the team leaders for Messy Church in the Netherlands which is named Kliederkerk. Nelleke gathers, develops and shares knowledge about Messy Church in her role. Iris focuses on training both individuals and churches to not only start Messy Churches but to help them grow and develop. Iris has traveled throughout the entirety of the Netherlands and met with each church interested in starting a Kliederkerk.
Their work is supported by the Protestant Church of the Netherlands. Nelleke and Iris shared that their mission is to let the movement of Kliederkerk grow in the Netherlands and to involve the whole church to grow into the values of Messy Church.
According to the website, Kliederkerk is a missionary form of being church in which young and old discover the meaning of Bible stories together in a creative way. A Kliederkerk lasts an average of two hours and consists of three parts: discovering together, celebrating together and eating together. (Translated via google)
Highlights from the Netherlands
- Different denominations are working together to grow Kliederkerk throughout the Netherlands
- Kliederkerk was recognized on national television through Dutch Evangelical Broadcast organization
- Kliederkerk’s website is interactive and in addition they have developed and published resources for both Messy Church leaders and participants.
- A theological learning community has been gathering and developing a Kliederkerk theology
- There was a large team of leaders from the Netherlands (at least 16 people) that attended the weekend conference
Prayers for the Netherlands
- Discerning additional ways to help Kliederkerk begin in the Netherlands as it is not sustainable to have Iris meet with everyone
- Praying for development of local leaders for local Kliederkerk
- Prayers for continued funding for growth of Kliederkerk
Messy Church in Norway
Messy Church Representatives from Norway
There were three separate groups from the large country of Norway that gathered for the weekend Messy Church International Conference (MCIC). Currently there is not a national leadership team for Norway but this conference provided opportunity for people from Norway to meet one another.
Kari- Burke-Romarheim and Oivind (apologies for not catching last name) attended the extra international days following the weekend. Kari is leading a Messy Church in her local church and Olvind is assessing starting Messy Church through the Sunday School organization where he works.
Highlights for Norway
- MCIC 2022 provided an opportunity for Norwegians from a variety of locations in their country to meet in person for the first time and begin to develop relationships
- Interest in Messy Church from a variety of groups within Norway
- Deepening of relationships amongst the international leaders to support Messy Church in Norway
Prayers for Norway
- Prayers that the relationships that began at the MCIC in the group from Norway will continue to develop and grow
- Prayers for God’s Spirit to lead and guide development of Messy Church in Norway
Six years ago, at the first MCIC, four people from the United States met one another for the first time and began to meet virtually regularly to pray. From those experiences, Messy Church USA started and has grown. I encourage us all to support and pray for the groups in Norway!
Let us bring the people of the Netherlands and Norway in prayer.
Come Holy Spirit, continue to pour out your power on all of the current and future Messy Church leaders from Netherlands and Norway. We give you thanks for these servants who bring their experience, wisdom, strength and love of Christ to their work of leading Messy Churches in their countries. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.