Christians for Israel International paid tribute to Rev. Jaap de Vreugd, the former chairman of the Dutch Board of Christians for Israel in the Netherlands.
De Vreugd died surrounded by his wife Dicky, children and grandchildren at 5pm on August 6.
Rev. Willem J. J. Glashouwer, President of Christians for Israel International, was also present during the last moments, reading Psalm 121 aloud and praying with the family, as the hard working advocate for Israel went to be with the Lord, the ministry said.
Glashouwer called the death a “great loss for all of us”, especially for his family but also the worldwide family of Christians for Israel. He recalled his friend’s “great wisdom and thoughtfulness.”
De Vreugd led an active life. After stepping down from chairing the Dutch board, he served as a member of the editorial board for ‘Israel Aktueel’, a free monthly newspaper, as well as a theological periodical, ‘Israel and the Church.’
“He gave direction to further development of biblical and theological reflection on Israel and the Jewish people – inspired by a vast reading and knowledge of the literature on Israel and Judaism,” recalled Glashouwer, paying tribute.
“His personal contacts with many Jewish friends in the Netherlands and in Israel undoubtedly contributed much to an increasing mutual respect between many believers in Christianity and the Jewish people.
“Great impression was made in Israel when he addressed the Jewish audience there in fluent modern Hebrew in his speeches.”
Born on March 28, 1945, de Vreugd grew up in the village of Katwijk, on the shores of the North Sea, and went on to study theology at the University in Utrecht from 1964 to 1969. His tutors included renowned Dutch theologian Van Ruler.
De Vreugd became a Dutch Reformed pastor in Haaften 1970 to 1975; followed by a placement in Bodegraven from 1975 to 1982, and then Amersfoort from 1982 to 2006. His first trip to Israel occurred in 1978.
“Dozens more would follow, but that first trip hit him like a bomb,” said Glashouwer. “Especially during the visit at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, he suddenly understood in his spirit and his mind that the Lord God revealed to him that the chosen people of Israel that we read about in the Bible are still alive today and that God will remain faithful to Israel forever.
“Overwhelmed by the understanding that the Most High gave him this personal experience over there, in Jerusalem, he then committed himself for the rest of his life more than ever before to Israel and the Jewish people.”
De Vreugd held various other influential roles supporting gospel work for Israel. He became involved with a Christian kibbutz by the name of Nes Ammim. He was also president of ‘HGJB’, a Dutch Christian youth movement.
He served in a number of official committees of the National Church “to enhance a better theological and biblical understanding of Israel and the Jewish people (the ‘Zicht op Israël – Bezinningscomité’),” according to Glashouwer. He was also a member and acting president of the Reformed Council for Church-Israel Relations.
De Vreugd’s work with Christians for Israel-Netherlands began as a board member in the 1990s before serving as chairman. He became involved in the foundation of “Christen an der Seite Israels” in Germany and with C4I International.
“There followed many speaking engagements for Israel, articles in the newspaper and in the theological publication of the periodical ‘Israel and the Church’ (of which he was editorial chairman from the beginning), and he also published a book: The Miracle Of Israel,” recalled Glashouwer.
“He maintained many personal contacts in the Jewish community in the Netherlands and in Israel. May his memory continue to be a great blessing and inspiration to us all.”
