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Edward DeKam Becomes EMENA Director

DRIEBERGEN, July 1 – Director Edward DeKam (57) shall move on after twenty years as National Director of Youth for Christ in the Netherlands. It’s time to push boundaries: he will now serve as Area Director for Youth for Christ International in the Europe, Middle East and North Africa area.

dekam2When he took on the role in 1994 Edward faced the task of giving Youth for Christ new direction. The age of the target group was down, the evangelical character of the organisation needed to be clearer and Youth for Christ wanted to return to the cities.

I think it’s wonderful that we can see very concrete results  twenty years later.” said Edward.

We launched Rock Solid in the Netherlands and Alpha Foundation Youth Alpha was developed for Dutch youth. In large and medium cities The Mall youth centers have been opened. Against all secularisation Youth for Christ grew enormously. We still have the desire to help young people know Jesus”

dekamTwenty years ago, evangelism was not done. Even churches were inward focused. Now there is a growing movement in mission focused ministry from the churches. Youth for Christ stands at the forefront of this movement. Our strength has always been that we can adapt to every new phase of young people while staying close to the heart of the gospel. Anchored to the Rock, geared to the times, we call it.

Deputy Director Wim van Galen will continue to serve as Interim Director until a successor to Edward can be found. “The collaboration with Wim in recent years has been a blessing,” said Edward, “so I leave my role with peace in my heart.

Edward deKam has been asked by Youth for Christ International to be the Area Director for the Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (EMENA) region. Youth for Christ Netherlands is part of Youth for Christ International, which operates in 133 nations.