Reformed Church in the Netherlands (Liberated) in Curacao
GKNVC / IRK (Iglesia Reforma Korsou)
Arowakenweg 28
Netherlands Antilles
Willemstadt Netherlands Antilles (North America) Telephone: +599 9 7376812 Email: devries@ct-inter.net Address-No.: 1421 / 3361
The existence of this church is closely linked to developments in the Netherlands. In 1944 a split occurred in the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands, resulting in the foundation of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands (no. 5). Immigrants to Curaçao, originating from this new denomination, created their own congregation called GKNVC in 1947. The congregation consisted entirely of Dutch people. The church was committed, however, to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the island and to gathering as a church. Efforts were made in the 1960s to reach those outside. But after 20 years the mission work was still closely related to the main immigrant community. Immigrants wanted classical Dutch worship services, while most of the 16 missionaries, who worked for the GKNVC, were seeking to contextualize the services to Curaçaon needs. Records show that progress was made in the 1980s, with over one-third of the members being Antilleans. But the GKNVC has no autochthonous minister or preacher yet. Its challenge resides in trying to find a balance between two mission motives: the preservation/extension of the classical Reformed church, on one side, and the evangelization/indig-nization of the Gospel among the Antilleans, on the other side. Present day situation: 2 parishes: dutch speaking and papiamento speaking. The dutch speaking has its own consistory, the papiamento speaking not yet.
The existence of this church is closely linked to developments in the Netherlands. In 1944 a split occurred in the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands, resulting in the foundation of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands (no. 5). Immigrants to Curaçao, originating from this new denomination, created their own congregation called GKNVC in 1947. The congregation consisted entirely of Dutch people. The church was committed, however, to preaching the Gospel to the inhabitants of the island and to gathering as a church. Efforts were made in the 1960s to reach those outside. But after 20 years the mission work was still closely related to the main immigrant community. Immigrants wanted classical Dutch worship services, while most of the 16 missionaries, who worked for the GKNVC, were seeking to contextualize the services to Curaçaon needs. Records show that progress was made in the 1980s, with over one-third of the members being Antilleans. But the GKNVC has no autochthonous minister or preacher yet. Its challenge resides in trying to find a balance between two mission motives: the preservation/extension of the classical Reformed church, on one side, and the evangelization/indig-nization of the Gospel among the Antilleans, on the other side.