The Schafers in Europe

In December, Randy and Kim Schafer traveled to the Netherlands to encourage and strengthen the small band of believers who are beginning a church community there. They have now returned to Texas for a few weeks to attend the Exodus Conference. Today we are sharing some of their experiences with our Dutch brothers and sisters and with other believers they visited across Europe. 

As we’ve written before, several of these Dutch families had previously been acquaintances, but after Daniel and Erin Anz and their family went to the Netherlands in 2024 for a ten-week stay that culminated in the Netherlands Exodus Conference, the group of six baptized brothers and sisters and their families has been meeting together regularly.  

The Schafers jumped into life in the Netherlands with both feet! They rented a small house and began learning Dutch. With their encouragement, the small group found more ways to build community. On Thursday nights, everyone met to worship and fellowship. Brothers began to pray together on Saturday mornings. The ladies regularly met for prayer, and several received a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Amanda Lancaster met with the ladies’ group via Zoom, and when Pat Salmeri visited, she shared about being a keeper of the home. Last month three families met to discuss home schooling, and this month our new sister from Finland, Bettina, will be able to join virtually.

Other members of our community came to the Netherlands to visit and lend support. Shahar and Kim Yarden passed through several times on their trips to the believers in Europe and India. Lisa Bradford visited the Netherlands for several weeks in February. Daniel Anz traveled to the Netherlands for two weeks, and Tony and Pat Salmeri came for ten days. 

A few families have space for a garden, and this spring they broke ground and began to plant. These small steps toward working and serving together are the same ones our community took in New Jersey in the 1970s. Before we had land, a cafe, fairs, or conferences, we had community. We had all committed to a journey toward oneness with God and with each other.

Last year, when Mark and Deborah Likkel visited Texas, they stayed with the Schafers, and in the Netherlands the Schafers have spent a lot of time in fellowship with the Likkels’ home group.

Randy shared, "In January we met a Dutch couple who had met Josiah and Angie Wheeler in Texas. We met for coffee—and landed up visiting for five hours. They now are regularly attending meetings in the Netherlands and are seeking more from the Lord."

Randy and Kim visited Hungary to attend a wedding in our small community there. They had the opportunity to fellowship—and of course there was plenty of singing!

The Schafers also traveled to Finland and participate in the baptism of Ronnie and Bettina.

Randy wrote, “Brother Daniel Anz and I baptized two brothers in the Netherlands, and we also welcomed a new sister through communion. These were the first baptisms and first communion here in the Netherlands community and it was a powerful time where the Lord moved and bound hearts together. It strengthened our tiny community and brought us closer together as brothers and sisters in Christ. We now have nine baptized people in our community here—34 people including children who faithfully attend our meetings.”

“Much has happened in the past five months, and there is much more to do.  We plan to return to the Netherlands mid-June for another extended stay. I believe there is a revival happening among these people, and it is humbling to be a small part of what the Lord is doing.  We thank you all for your love, prayers and support while we have been overseas. We are one body no matter the miles that separate us.”