What’s important when planting a church? Here's 5 top tips from the Meijers!

Jaco and Janneke Meijers in front of their miracle home in Middelburg, Zeeland

Jaco and Janneke Meijers are not amateurs when it comes to church planting.

Their story begins in 2003, when they joined a group sent from Wijnstokgemeente, an RM church in Berkel, to plant a church in Reeuwijk. This became Christengemeente Elim.

After receiving prophetic direction, the Elim church family sent them south to Gouda. There, they helped to plant Goudse Familiekerk, which began meeting in 2018. Two years later, they felt stirred to support believers who were looking to plant a church in Middelburg, Zeeland!

They now spend half their time discipling leaders at the church in Gouda, and the other half helping to establish the newly planted Familiekerk Walcheren in Middelburg.

Their vision is to see churches planted in every province of the Netherlands. This means hundreds more men and women are needed! Together with other Dutch leaders in the Netherlands they are seeking out and discipling new leaders who share the vision for their nation.

With an enthusiasm typical of Jaco and Janneke, they’re excited to share some church planting wisdom they’ve gained along the way!

5 things to consider when planting a church

Prophecy, fasting and prayer
Are apostles and prophets sensing God leading to a place or people? For a year, Mike Betts and Maurice Nightingale were traveling regularly to Amsterdam to pray and to fast with Dutch church leaders, who wanted to see a renewed church planting momentum in the Netherlands. At those meetings, there was a map that included Middleburg, Zeeland. Fast forward to the present day and, after prayer, fasting and faithfulness, they are now seeing a growing church plant there, with families being added.
Consider what’s in your heart
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that our family background, culture and experiences are part of the many ways that God leads us. Jaco was born in Zeeland, so he was drawn to the area: “Yay! I’m from there!”
Identify who’s there
Churches are made of people - so if there are Christians moving into a community, there’s already the start of a new church! When Jaco and Janneke saw believers moving into the area, it caused them to consider planting into Middelburg.
Willingness
Have a ‘Let’s try this!’ attitude - knock at a door and see if God is opening it. When Jaco and Janneke spotted a beautiful home during a visit to Middelburg, Zeeland, they were encouraged by prophetic words - to take a risk, to live from their suitcases - so they made an offer. It was accepted!
Seek God’s blessing
Look for apostolic covering. We are not meant to act independently of Jesus’ body - the wider church - and there’s strength and safety to be found in receiving wisdom and blessing from leaders. Jaco and Janneke received blessing from Maurice Nightingale, and connected with wider leadership in the Netherlands to keep in step with what God is doing more widely in their nation.