Joel lives with his new wife Miriam in Asturias, Spain, and has 2 sons, Paul Joel (26) and Robin (21).

His vision is to create safe spaces where people can find healing and a sense of belonging, through the all accepting love of Jesus. 

As son of Dutch missionaries he’s been working in the church for many years as youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, worship leader and elder. Trained in YWAM doing a Discipleship Training and leadership school. He also has been trained as Family Counselor with EIRENE International.

He has been working since 2014 with an NGO, where he was co-founder, in which they supported people who had suffered sexual abuse in their childhood. By creating peer support groups, seminars and forming a team of mental health counselors the NGO, touched and healed many lifes. Many were surprised finding out about his faith and love for Jesus and he was able to share from a place of service, which is something Spanish people always respect.

The present time, it’s a moment to take a step forward. Joel is taking a 3 year course to become a certified Theatre Therapist through the Gestalt school. His vision is to use the arts to bring healing to broken people.

Another project that was born in 2019 but was interrupted by the pandemic, is to create a community of believers who happen to have a hard time adapting to the more traditional evangelical church structure, and are looking for a place where acceptance and love goes before uniformity. The name for the community is “El Llar” (home fire place in the kitchen).

Please pray for these time of preparation and for doors to open to give new forms to these projects and community of believers.