There is quite a bit to say about my background, but that’s not surprising if you’re 80 years old. I am a man, and I have been married to Johanna for 55 years (coincidentally on the day I’m writing this). Initially, we were not going to have children, but the Lord had other plans. We are blessed to have received four children, each of whom brought a partner (and we didn’t have to do anything for that), and we welcomed eleven grandchildren.

As a missionary, we worked in Belgium and the Republic of South Africa. At a certain point, you miss having a solid grasp of various things. In consultation with the curators of the Union of Baptist Churches in the Netherlands, I decided to pursue an education at P.B.N.A. There, I earned certificates in the evenings over four years, at the Gymnasium level. Since we had three children, studying in Utrecht at “De Vinkenhof” was not an option. On behalf of the Union of Baptist Churches, I was able to begin studies at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, near Zurich.

Afterward, I had the privilege of serving various congregations as a pastor here in the Netherlands.

I came to faith radically and consciously at the age of 21. But despite my age, I still have a long way to go… The learning process with the Lord God is a lifelong journey, a path I walk with ups and downs. For I am just as sinful as anyone else. Still, if you were to ask me if there is one particular word that stands out in my life with the Lord and in reading the Bible, I would wholeheartedly say: YES.

That word is “grace.” That word and its meaning mean everything to me. Grace for living, grace for dying, but especially the grace that I am saved, cleansed, and justified by the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at wil@thegospelguardians.org.

Wishing you much enjoyment in listening, but above all, I wish you the Lord’s indispensable blessing.

In His Shalom and Grace,

Wil de Lepper.