Andre and Brenda Berkhout are from North Holland, Zaanstad, the Netherlands. They have three grown-up children, two of whom are married. Brenda has a master degree in mental healthcare and has worked at several mental health institutions, in the women's shelter in Amsterdam of the Salvation Army and an outpatient clinic of GGZ de Hoop (addiction treatment) in Amersfoort.  She has also had various training as a counsellor/coach. Andre has a long experience in ICT as a functional application manager. In addition, Andre did a bachelor’s degree education, first for a year of theology and then switched to do three years of missionary work at the Evangelical College.

The most important value in their marriage is that you don't live for yourself. God has given them a heart for people at the bottom of society to show His love and He has confirmed this in various ways. From this vocation, Andre and Brenda have been able to serve foster children, couples with broken marriages, people with mental health problems and those struggling with addiction in various ways over the years. They have been active in pastoral ministry in the church as well as in their work. Mission has always been important in their lives; it was a great desire. But for all kinds of reasons, it was also very clear that it was not yet time. In recent years, the green light came and they were allowed to go. They experience His guidance very clearly, doors opened and they experience that He decides where they should go. God gave the peace and confidence to let Him decide and go first. They were allowed to serve in Thailand for a year and be father and mother for students, children and thus show His love to people who often grew up fatherless or loveless. They visited the poor, the elderly and the sick who were not seen in society. Andre and Brenda saw them and gave attention and showed God's love and told about Him.

Andre and Brenda are serving as Nazarene Compassion Ministry (NCM) coordinators to show his mercy in Romania, a role that fits them like a glove. In Romania, more than 40% of the population is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. 48.5% of the children live in very poor conditions. 66.1% of Romanians living in rural areas do not have enough income to make ends meet. Poverty translates into lack of education, disease and far too little food. The position is new in Romania. Andre and Brenda will live in Sighisoara and support the local Nazarene churches in Sighisoara, Tigmandru and Bucharest with community development, evangelism, counseling, training, preaching and helping out various projects. These projects are aimed at Roma children, youth and adults, people with disabilities, the elderly and women who have fled human trafficking. These projects are fragile and need support so that they remain viable. Some aspects of these projects need advice so that they are more effective. The Romanians themselves remain responsible for the projects. In addition, we will investigate what possibilities there are to set up new projects by the local church and for which they want support from the NCM.

What can you do for Brenda and Andre?

Andre and Brenda hope to stay in Romania for at least two years and will live as volunteers on donations. Therefore, your support is desperately needed. Not only in praying but also financially. In this way you become part of their mission and help to spread Christ's love to the people of Romania. They need 2000 euros (2275 USD) a month to do their work. Andre and Brenda trust that God will give people up to support them with a monthly contribution. We hope that you will also become part of their mission, so that they can continue to do this work.