The Bearded Baptist in Europe #1

An On Second Thought Special Series

The Bearded Baptist in Europe
Week One: Holland - Transition
A Sabbatical Travelogue by Dr. Dock Hollingsworth

We are only in day four of our rest and Melissa has said twice, “If it were over now, it would have been a great vacation!“ We have not experienced much rest yet, but we see glimmers. Instead, we have been busy visiting ministry partners and figuring out what time it is.

On our first day in Amsterdam, we took a train ride to Antwerp to visit Janee Angel, the missionary we support there (and pictured below). She toured us around her beautiful city and we learned about her important ministry with refugees. We can be proud that this is a place where we are investing our prayers and our money.

Yesterday, we spent time with Mike and Helen Pears. For years, Baptists have supported an international seminary. That seminary is now in Amsterdam and Mike is the president. The picture of Mike and me is in the seminary library in hopes that I would look smarter.

A reflection on these first few days has been about the size of the global Christian community. Across the world, we hugged people we had never met because we recognized each other as family. It is a warm and moving recognition. Rest is coming; we have many relaxing days ahead. But, there is nothing I would change about this first week except for serious mistakes in navigating the train system! We miss you and we are grateful for this time of renewal.

I love being your pastor,
Dock

Dock and Janee Angel

Dock and Mike Pears