Many people come to Amsterdam for its beautiful canals, the colorful tulips, the Van Gogh museum and the amazing paintings by Rembrandt. Many others come to the capital of the Netherlands because of its Red Light District, soft drugs policy and free and tolerant spirit.

Red Light

The Shelter City hostel is located at the edge of the Red Light district, within 20 meters of prostitution windows. From the hostel we witness how thousands of people hunger for something to fill the emptiness that is inside of them. They are looking for sex, drugs, alcohol. Some have left behind friends and family at home to make a new start in the streets of Amsterdam.

The Netherlands

In the 17th century Amsterdam enjoyed fame as a world power, economically and also artistically. At that time, the Netherlands was a very Christian country strongly influenced by Calvinism. The Dutch were depicted as a nation of dominees (pastors) and traders.

But this changed during the 20th century. As a result of secularism, many people left the church. At the end of the 19th century, nearly 100 percent of the population was connected to a church. One century later this percentage has dropped to 60 percent. The number of people that actually attent church is much lower: only 12 percent of the people goes every week.

Mission field Amsterdam

Amsterdam truly is a leading city in the world in regards to liberal and free thinking. The city calls itself the Gay Capital of the world, and is known for its big number of Coffee Shops (you don't go here to get a cup of coffee, they sell soft drugs instead), and openess towards window prostitution. Many of the historic church buildings are not used for worship anymore, but have been turned into museums, music halls or mosques.

Amsterdam is a huge mission field. It is also an international mission field. The population of this capital is very international. Only 51% of its 740,000 citizen is native Dutch. And thousands of travelers and tourists visit Amsterdam each year. The Shelter hostels alone host 40,000 travelers a year. You could say, the mission field is coming to us. Come over and spread the fragrance of Christ in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam needs Christ.

Ministry in Amsterdam

The Youth Hostel Ministry of the Shelter hostels is not the only ministry in the city center. Other inner city ministries are run by Youth with a Mission, international churches, and many other agencies. Find here some Amsterdam ministries

Read also about Europe as a mission field.