Celebrating 60 years of ministry and our partnership: (from left) Hubrecht Smits, TWR Netherlands director and Steve Hippe, TWR’s chief operating officer | Photo by TWR Netherlands
We are grateful for our longtime partner in the Netherlands. This year they celebrate 60 years of ministry — 60 years of innovation and commitment, but most of all, trusting in God and finding new ways of bringing the gospel through barriers and across borders to people who need to hear about Jesus Christ.
Want to experience this yourself? Visit the Mission & Media Center in the Netherlands. You can find more information on twr.nl/missie-media.
For six decades, TWR Netherlands and Belgium have worked hand in hand with TWR International, sharing the mutual calling: to reach the world for Christ through mass media so that lasting fruit is produced. Together they have reached nations with the gospel by praying for and supporting ministries across Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.
As part of their anniversary year, TWR Netherlands has remodeled a remarkable new space that embodies this same pioneering spirit — the Mission & Media Center in Barneveld. Designed to inspire visitors and help them experience the global ministry of TWR in an interactive way, the center brings 60 years of innovation, storytelling and faith to life under one roof.
Have you ever experienced an earthquake or been on top of a transmitter tower? Until a few months ago, my answer would have been “no.” Now, my answer is “sort of.”
I had the privilege of visiting the Missie & Media Centrum (Mission & Media Center) in Barneveld, the Netherlands. Missie & Media is an experience center created by our partner TWR Netherlands and Belgium and lets you explore the world of TWR.
The center is a unique space where every part of TWR is explained, not just with information, but also through games and virtual reality. Innovation has always been important in reaching the world for Christ and it’s visible in how the center is set up and what kind of tools are used to share about the work.
7 Countries in One Space
The space is split up into seven different areas with each area representing a part of the world and a part of TWR.
The tour starts in Africa where you learn about the different audiences that TWR serves and reaches with all the different programs. Next you travel to Indonesia where you get to experience an earthquake. Living in Europe, natural disasters are not something I have experienced, but parts of the world live with the reality of natural disasters and war. This area shows you how TWR responds to these disasters.
From Asia you travel back to the Netherlands. All our programs need production. So, with the help of interactive games and an actual studio, you learn what it takes to create a program.
TWR’s work can’t be done without prayer — it’s the center of our work. That’s why in the middle of the center there is a space to pray. TWR Netherlands has highlighted 25 countries that you can pray for.
If you know us, you know that we have transmitters scattered around the world. Bonaire is one of those places where you can find the towers, and one of them is rebuilt on a small scale in the Netherlands. Climbing a transmitter tower is not for the faint of heart, but if you are good with heights, you can climb the one in the Netherlands. If climbing is not your thing, try the VR glasses. That way you can climb the tower in Bonaire and learn about broadcasting while staying seated.
Some of our listeners are exposed to persecution. Through video, you are guided to Somalia and Pakistan and hear the stories of how listeners got to hear the gospel and navigated persecution.
The tour finishes in the Arab world, where audience relations play a big role. It’s important that there is follow-up with listeners when they contact our teams. That’s where discipleship is built.
Innovation for experience
The center is an incredible place to learn about the work of TWR. And it’s not just for the people who speak Dutch. Our partner has made it possible that through AR, text is translated in English and that you can still have the full experience.
We thank God for the steadfast commitment of TWR Netherlands and Belgium through the decades. Their creativity, faithfulness, and heart for missions have strengthened the work of TWR International and helped bring the hope of Christ to countless listeners around the world. As we celebrate 60 years of partnership, we look forward with gratitude and anticipation to all that God will continue to do through this enduring collaboration.
