Welcome Home

The words “Welcome Home” are more than just an initial greeting for the virtual home of the American Protestant Church of the Hague.

When we say “Welcome home” we hope you will experience the grace of God. Grace changes everything.

“Welcome home” means that there is nothing you need to do, try, promise, or work out, in order to be accepted by God or by us, His family.

“Welcome home” means we’ve been expecting you. Since the late 1950’s APCH has been the spiritual home for English speaking people in The Hague. Whether you’ve come to Holland for a long stay or a short visit, we’re here to make you feel at home.

When we say “Welcome Home”, we sincerely hope we will soon get a chance to get to know you. Please make yourself at home here at www.apch.nl. You can listen to what we’re talking about, find great resources for faith and life and connect with others.

By grace alone,
Tim
Rev. Tim Blackmon
Senior Pastor of APCH

The following is a summary of these core beliefs held by APCH and all Christian Churches in the Protestant tradition.

The Bible

We believe the Bible is God's word, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. In it, God reveals Himself; renews our understanding of the world and ourselves; and directs us in all our relationships and activities. 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Mark 13:31; John 8:31, 32; John 20:31; Acts 20:32

The Trinity

We believe there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they carry out distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption. Genesis 1:1, 26; John 1:1, 3; Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; Romans 1:19, 20; Ephesians 4:5, 6

God the Father 

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of humans, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus. Luke 10:21,22; Matthew 23:9; John 3:16; 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Timothy 1:1, 2; 2:5, 6; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:6

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death for our sins, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, continuing intercession for His people and personal visible return. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30, 31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9, 10; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16

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From its beginning, the American Protestant Church of The Hague has been an international, interdenominational church - home away from home - for many people.

Its forerunner by half a century was the English-language church services held for summer tourists in The Hague by the Dutch Reformed Church at the suggestion of a Dutch school teacher named Jacob Smelik.

The Reformed Church in America became interested and in 1905 it offered to supply ministers and to be co-sponsor of the services, which were held in a building on the Prinsestraat in the center of The Hague.

This tradition continued until 1940, with the exception of the years of WWI, 1914-1918.

At the end of WWII in 1945, the Dutch Reformed Church set up a committee to reinstate summer English-language services. In doing so, it worked closely with the Chief of Chaplains of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, who served as a liaison with the Consultative Committee of Air Force Chaplains from the 10 NATO countries. The outcome was that English-speaking church services were held on the first Sunday of the month during the tourist season in the historic Grote Kerk in the center of The Hague. The services were conducted by U.S. Army and Air Force Chaplains from nearby military bases.

Prior to this, a dedicated group of U.S. military and Embassy personnel had already in 1950 started a Sunday School and a Youth Fellowship for junior and senior high school young people, which took place at the American School, which was then located on the Parkweg.

As time went on, more and more American businessmen and military and Embassy personnel came into the The Hague area and the desire grew to have year-round regular church services. The U.S. Air Force Chaplains were asked to contact the Dutch church for help in finding an alternative place to meet as the Grote Kerk had no heat in the winter time. The answer to prayers came from the Board of Deaconesses who ran Bronovo Hospital at that time who offered the use of the Hospital Chapel for monthly services.

From that time until the congregation moved into its own church home, the hospital’s Head Matron, her associates, the Chief of Staff and all the nurses offered generous hospitality and did their utmost to meet the needs of their foreign guests, and came to hold a fond place in the hearts of the early church members.

By 1955, it was clear that the congregation was continuing to grow and that soon it could no longer fit into the hospital chapel. Something had to be done, and so a group of 18 people with the help of USAF Chaplain Richard B. Hayward took steps to found a church of their own.

APCH is a Spiritual home that develops disciples of Christ by attracting people to Christ and His church through worship with the Word and Music; enabling our congregation to achieve a deeper faith through Christian training, fellowship and service; demonstrating God’s Love and Grace through caring for the needy and spreading God’s word through a balance of local outreach and global missions.