Impressions of exposure trip to Amsterdam with students of Urban Mission Perspectives Course at Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University in Prague

Urban Mission Perspectives
ETF Prague students' visit to Amsterdam
(16-21 April 2015)

Hosts:
Rev. Bas J. van der Graaf, Pastor of Reformed Jeruzalemkerk, Amsterdam-West (PKN) (coordinator)
Martin de Jong on Saturday (Evangelical Alliance and City to City Europe)

Facilitators:
Rev. Dr. András Lovas, Pastor of Gazdagrét Reformed Church in Budapest, Hungary
Prof. Dr. Anne-Marie Kool, Professor of Missiology

Aims:

During the study trip to Amsterdam the students will examine the cultural context of the city and the response of the Church in mission. During this visit they will travel around the city and try to identify the „idols of the city”, the context, culture, people groups the churches have to face in Amsterdam. The students also will participate in worship services of two different congregations. This way they will examine a more traditional and a more modern approach to the challenges of the urban setting.

During the study visit students:
+ Will get a taste of the context in the Netherlands and especially of Amsterdam. They will participate in a “theological sightseeing” in the city, in which they explore the culture(s) and the city idols and reflected on them from the perspective of Christian mission.
+ Understand what urban mission means in a city with many nationalities, strong secularized, different non-western immigrants with their religion, and that there are many different contexts even in one city.
+ Observe the role of the pastor and what role members of the church play in two congregations.
+ Visit of a Sunday service and have discussions with church members.

Program:

Friday - April 17th, 2015

11.00 Introduction to Amsterdam Urban Mission Perspectives exposure trip
Meeting Place: Central Station at Starbucks on the front side of the station
Facilitators: Anne-Marie Kool and András Lovas.

12.30 Lunch

13:30-14:45 Check in at Shelter City

Rest

15:15-17:30 Neighbourhood Walk /theological observation in het red light district
Place: Pick up at Shelter City
Host: Jaap Oudman. Jaap is a tall guy with glasses and will meet at the front door.

18:00-20:30 Dinner & and stories from Mission House
(Light program, focus on contacts and sharing)
Place: Nieuwe Herengracht 20
Host: MH Team

20:30-21:00 Reflection day 1: First impressions and expectations
Facilitators: Anne-Marie and András

Saturday - April 18th, 2015

10:00 Christian Presence in the Secular City
(Lectures and stories)
Place: Van Boven, Jan Maijenstraat 14 (Jeruzalemkerk)
Speakers: Martijn Horsman Stroom Amsterdam, David van der Meulen.
Hosts: Bas van de Graaf, Martin presentation AIB

12:30 Lunch
Place: Van Boven, Jan Maijenstraat 14 (Jeruzalemkerk)
Who: Broodje Daan

13:30-17:30 Touristic and theological sightseeing
(Markers of the city, like synagogue, churches, architecture, etc. including discussion on theme of “Idols of the City”)
Place: City Center
Host: Bas vd Graaf

18:00-19:30 Dinner
Place: Van Boven, Jan Maijenstraat 14 (Jeruzalemkerk)
Host: Bas and Gerdien Boerhout (Jeruzalemkerk)

19.30-20:30 Reflections on day 2: Impressions of Christian presence in the city
and Idols in the City
Place: Van Boven, Jan Maijenstraat 14 (Jeruzalemkerk)
Facilitators: Anne-Marie and András

20.30 Free time

Sunday - April 19th, 2015
10:30-11.30 Worship Service English Reformed Church http://www.ercadam.nl/worship/
Place: Begijnhof 48, 1012 WV Amsterdam
Host: Andras Lovas and Anne-Marie Kool

11.45-12.15 Transport to Amsterdam North (with lunch “on the way”)

12:30-14:00 Worship Service Hoop voor Noord (Hope for North)
Place: Kruiskerk, Rode Kruisstraat 20, Tel. 020- 6325002
Host: Theodoor Meedendorp

14:30-15:30 Introduction to HfN and Reflections on Worship Service
Place: Kruiskerk
Hosts: Theodoor Meedendorp

15:00-17:30 Time for rest or sleep etc.

18:00-19:30 Dinner
Place: Westerwijk, Admiraal de Ruyterweg 150
Host: Bas, Anke and Maria

19.30-20.30 Reflections on day 3 and closure: Lessons for the Czech Republic and for your own context
Hosts: Anne-Marie, András, and Bas

Monday - April 20th, 2015
-10.00 Check out at Shelter City

Free program