“A planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour”
Isaiah 61:3
About ICL
Welcome!
ICL is a church community made up of people from all kinds of backgrounds and nations. We are on a journey to find out together what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ within the realities of 21st century life. Whether you have been a Christian for years, have become one more recently, or are not even sure if there is a God, you are most welcome.
As an international church we celebrate the unity there is in Christ that embraces the diversity among us.
ICL began as an adventure in 2004 when a group of American missionaries sensed that God was guiding them to start an English speaking church in the Leiden area. It began in a home. Think about your lounge – that is basically what ICL’s first meeting place was like. The kids met upstairs. Word got out and later the house became too small. So ICL moved into the Holiday Inn for a time and from there into two different schools, including the one where ICL presently meets on Sundays.
A key verse when ICL began was
‘A planting of the Lord for the display of His splendour.’ (Isaiah 61:3)
It is still important to us, and helps keep us focussed on what we desire to be as part of the church in the Leiden area. Who we are is summed up in the words “a Christ-centred international community planted to worship, grow and serve in the Leiden area and beyond”.
Real
Open and honest as we seek what it means to live out a genuine faith in Christ
Family
A multi-national community for all ages
Simple
Uncomplicated and relevant for 21st Century life
Passion
Hearts stirred for God, for life, and for others
Meet the Team
Many people serve within ICL both on Sundays and during the week. To help with our community life, the Church Council draws together the elders and some of the ministry leaders: it has oversight over our various ministries and organisational teams.
Some of the team profiles are shown below. Others from the team need to be added…
Andy
Lead Pastor
Loves being married to Helen, they have two fabulous young adult offspring. Former school teacher. Walker, swimmer, reader, movie-watcher, player of board games. Has a Masters in Missional Leadership.
Cor
Elder
Theologian (and loving it), fan of Johnny Cash and the harmonica, fervent reader of history, married to a great woman, and father of two boys.
Inge
Secretary
Christina
Elder and Services Coordinator
Wife to Niels and mother to two girls. Lover of Jesus and people. Certified Biblical Counselor. Avid reader, singer, and coffee drinker. Ambivert.
Joost
Elder
Dutch, married to Welmoed, father of three children. Chairperson of the Church Council. Has a Masters in Practical Theology. Runs his own business, having previously been in a management role for a multinational paint company. Has a growing passion to see Christian faith impacting the business world.
Sherry-Lee
Office Manager
Lover of cozy ambiance. Happy mommy of two and doting wife to one. Fueled by coffee and good conversations. Fall and winter kind of gal, but starting to appreciate sun and beach more and more.
What We Believe
At ICL we stand behind the statement of faith known as the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
* The word ‘catholic’ here is being used to refer to the diversity of the worldwide church united in Christ, rather than any specific denomination which has that word in its title. People from all backgrounds (church, or no church) are welcome at ICL.