by Father Ron Geilen
IN MY recent columns in ‘De Daily Dutchman’ I have written about various subjects. This contribution will be dedicated to my 10th anniversary of my coming to America and the route that led me to here.
Nineteen years ago, I received my calling in a hospital where I was accompanying someone with cancer. It was in that sacred, challenging space that I first felt the profound pull towards ministry. The experience marked the beginning of a journey that would take me through years of discernment, study, and eventually, across the ocean to a new life in America.
However, it took another four years before I began to formally pursue this calling by studying Theology at the training institute of the liberal Protestants in Bilthoven. After completing my studies there, I dedicated an additional year to obtain my bachelor’s degree at InHolland University in Amsterdam. These formative years were crucial in shaping my understanding of ministry and deepening my commitment to serving others.
TEN YEARS ago, I left the familiar landscapes of the Netherlands, driven by this calling that transcended borders and cultures. My journey to America was not just a geographical relocation, but a spiritual pilgrimage, one that would lead me to new paths, new relationships, and a deepening of my faith and ministry. In August 2014, I was ordained as a deacon in the Old Catholic tradition, marking the beginning of my formal ministry. This moment was a culmination of years of preparation, and it set the stage for what would come next. Just over a year later, in October 2015, I was ordained as a priest. This transition from deacon to priest was not just a title change, but a deepening of my commitment to serve God and His people in new and profound ways.
That same year, my life took another significant turn—I married my (American) wife Missy, who has been my partner, support, and fellow sojourner on this journey. Our marriage has been a testament to the merging of cultures, faith traditions, and shared dreams. Together, we have navigated the challenges and joys of building a life in a new country, all while staying rooted in our shared faith.
But this decade has also been marked by the unique struggles of being an immigrant. The journey of moving to a new country is often romanticized, but the reality is far more complex. There is the grief of leaving behind the familiar—the people, the places, and the culture that shaped you. There is the struggle of adjusting to a new way of life, learning to navigate a different system, and sometimes feeling like a stranger in a place that is now your home.
BECOMING a U.S. citizen in 2019 was a milestone that carried with it both pride and a sense of loss. On one hand, it was the culmination of years of adaptation, effort, and integration into American society. On the other hand, it was a poignant reminder of the life I left behind, and the dual identity I now carry as both Dutch and American. Immigrant grief is real, a subtle yet persistent ache for the land and the life left behind, even as one embraces the new.
Since 2019, I have had the privilege of serving as a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. This has been a time of growth, both personally and in my ministry. The Anglican tradition, with its rich history and deep theological roots, has provided a new context for my vocation, allowing me to explore different aspects of ministry and to connect with a diverse and vibrant community of believers.
Reflecting on these past ten years, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and the people who have shaped my journey. The transition from the Old Catholic tradition to the Anglican Church was not without its challenges, but it has also been a time of deepening my understanding of God’s calling on my life. In this decade, I have learned that ministry is not just about the work we do, but about the relationships we build, the communities we serve, and how we embody Christ’s love in the world.
AS I reflect on my ministry in both the Netherlands and the United States, I am struck by the different challenges each context presents. In the Netherlands, where secularism has deeply influenced society, ministry often involves engaging with individuals who are either indifferent to or critical of organized religion. The challenge lies in making faith relevant in a context where traditional religious practices have waned, and where spirituality is often sought outside the confines of the church.
Ministry in the Netherlands requires creativity, a willingness to meet people where they are, and an openness to dialogue with those who may be skeptical of the church’s role in modern life. In contrast, the United States, particularly within the Anglican Church in North America, presents a different set of challenges. Here, the church is often more central to community life, and there is a stronger tradition of religious practice. However, this also means navigating a landscape where denominational identity and theological differences can create divisions.
The challenge is to foster unity within diversity, to minister in a way that honors tradition while also being responsive to the contemporary issues that congregations face. Additionally, in the American context, there is the challenge of addressing the intersection of faith and politics, a dynamic that is often more pronounced here than in the Netherlands.
Despite these differences, the core of ministry remains the same—building relationships, serving others, and proclaiming the Gospel in ways that are meaningful and transformative. As I look to the future, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. My journey is far from over, and I am committed to continuing to serve in whatever ways God leads me. These ten years in America have been transformative, and I am eager to see how God will continue to use me in His service.
* Ron Geilen from Geleen, the Netherlands is vicar/priest at All Saints & Sinners Anglican Mission in Fulton and St. Charles, Missouri.
