end of year 2025

originally posted on December 30, 2025 – by Andre Piet

With the turn of the year, another year has been completed. By now I have been doing these reflections for eighteen years, and anyone who knows the earlier year overviews will notice that this year too shows no break, but continuity. No new course, no drastic changes, but chiefly: continuing on the path that has been walked for some time. Below is a brief enumeration of activities.

Sunday gatherings and Bible studies

Over the past year, the work of GoedBericht was largely able to maintain its established rhythm. The Sunday gatherings took place at familiar locations such as Benthuizen, Urk, Rotterdam, The Hague, Papendrecht, Epe, Zeewolde, and Nieuw-Buinen. In addition, there were the monthly Bible studies on Thursday evenings in Nunspeet and Capelle a/d IJssel. This is the core business of GoedBericht — meeting people around the Word.

Maarn

This year as well, a number of activities could again be held in Maarn. I am thinking of the GB weekend in May, which was fully booked in no time. But the well-attended GB conference at the end of September was once again very successful. We also hope to continue these activities in the coming year. Make a note of it in your agenda already: the GB weekend from June 12–14 and also the GB conference on September 26. In due course you will also be able to register for these.

equipping and fellowship

For the seventh consecutive year, the monthly interactive Bible studies with young adults (“around 30”) were also able to continue. You never read anything about this activity on the website, nor are recordings made of these meetings, but that does not alter the fact that through this route as well, in conversation and fellowship, the Word finds its way.

For several summers now, Petra and I have been involved in holiday camps organized by a group from Zeewolde. This year that was in Drenthe, and with great pleasure I was able to take responsibility for a number of studies there.

funerals and weddings

More than in previous years, I have also been able to speak during funeral services. At the moment I am writing this, there are even two funerals scheduled within five days. At such occasions the enormous power of the Good Message proves itself par excellence. This past year, by the way, I was also able to let the Word sound forth at several weddings.

website

In virtually all activities surrounding GoedBericht, the website has played a central role for more than 25 years. It is precisely this medium that makes the reach of GoedBericht many times greater. Thus, over the past 12 months the website attracted an average of 9,500 unique visitors per week, which compared to 2023 (8,600 unique visitors) is once again a substantial increase. Of course, it is not about numbers, and a large reach is not a goal in itself. I also do not engage in advertising or other promotion. On several occasions the company that hosts GoedBericht.nl has urged me to give the website a “slicker” appearance and to have it restyled. But I do not do it. If the website looks as if it is “from year zero,” then that matches perfectly with the message that is conveyed on it — straight from the first century.

In the past year, Geert-Jan has worked at high speed and with great regularity on translating the blogs on the website into English. In doing so, he has very explicitly gained a share in the further expansion of the website. Much was already available, but he is now engaged in making the entire archive accessible in English — a gigantic task. Through his approach, the reach of the website has once again been significantly increased. For the coming year there are ideas to further shape this, but you will hear more about that in due course.

new section

While the formerly daily section with short Bible meditations was given a much lower frequency, the focus shifted more toward writing more extensive blogs (53 in total). Since February, a new section has also seen the light of day: newsflash. This aims to place facts and developments in a Biblical light. It is especially intended to keep a prophetic finger on the pulse.

co-workers

The work that takes place under the name GoedBericht is much broader than what is visible. I am thinking of the many who make it possible for gatherings to be held in, among other places, Benthuizen, Urk, Nunspeet, and Capelle a/d IJssel. Co-workers who open the hall, set up chairs, make and serve coffee, prepare the book table, take care of sound amplification, provide the livestream, offer musical accompaniment, and so on. All of this is done not only unpaid and voluntarily, but even without having been asked to do so. It is done “for nothing,” a beautiful illustration of what grace brings about! GoedBericht is also not an organization and has no board meetings. Everything works organically—just as a body functions. Wonderful to be able to experience that in practice as well.

Those who financially support the GoedBericht work I also explicitly count among the circle of co-workers. Without their involvement and support, this work on this scale would simply not be possible. GoedBericht does not ask for money (that is a principled choice), but money has never been an issue either. There has been no lack, and provision has always been abundant. That fills us with gratitude and confirms for us that this is not our own work, but that it is He Who makes people so willing and generous.

finally

Passing on the Good Message remains the core for me. Not because it has to be done, but because it has been given to me. What God is communicating in His Word is too great for me to keep to myself. Therefore I want to continue doing this, as long as He gives me opportunity, health, and strength to do so. In practice this also means: together, with my wife Petra, who consistently gives her support and commitment in this. This year our two sons, Boaz and Jachin, have also both flown the nest, and a new phase is beginning for us. Family life has a large place in this, not least because one day a week we lovingly care for our two grandchildren.

With the approach of the milestone of 2030 — two millennia after Christ’s departure — we are increasingly being confronted with the fact that His return will not be long in coming. How and when this will take place exactly, about that there will undoubtedly still appear blogs and studies. But one thing is certain: our hearts beat with expectation for what God intends. “The third day” (read: the third millennium) will soon dawn — and with it also the seventh day of human history. What a time to live in!

Also on behalf of my wife Petra, I wish all readers and visitors of GoedBericht.nl a wonderful turn of the year, God’s blessing, and an expectation-filled 2026!

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