Redeemer Stories: Simon
Name: Simon Fritschij
Nationality: Dutch
Favourite animal: Duck
1. Tell us a little about yourself!
My name is Simon! I’m 30 years old and have been a part of Redeemer for the past 4.5 years. I grew up in a Christian family close to Amsterdam and got baptized when I was 12. Fun thing most of you won’t know is that my baptism was on national television! I enjoy football, church life and the occasional jigsaw puzzle.
Another big passion of mine is politics. I work for the ChristenUnie (ChristianUnion), in national parliament and I am currently running for city council as number 2 of the ChristenUnie/SGP in The Hague.
2. What’s your favourite part about living in the Hague area?
The Hague is just a beautiful city. I love the beach, the streets and history. But also the official motto of The Hague: City of Justice and Peace. I find these to be such great values and hope we will see more of that in The Hague.
3. You work in politics and are a candidate in next week’s municipal elections. Can you share a little about how God has called to this area of work? What things are you passionate about doing in and for this city?
Ever since I was young I’ve felt a deep drive to seek justice. Whether it’s for refugees, people stuck in prostitution or children growing up in poverty: we are called to love, serve and seek justice. For me politics is a challenging but also effective way to act upon this calling. I want The Hague to be a city where people in vulnerable positions can flourish, where the work of churches is valued and where we take good care of creation for current and future generations.
4. What have you learned about God and who He is in this season?
In short I’ve just fallen more in love with Jesus. I’m so in awe of his life and death, mindblown about the fact that he fulfills every scripture and deeply moved by how he always seems to be able to reach out to the broken and lift them up. He truly was and is Immanuel.
5. Do you have any stories of God answering prayer or breaking through in situations that you’d like to share?
One cool story actually happened to me last Sunday. After a very busy week of campaigning I was really looking forward to have a day of rest on Sunday. But then my washing machine broke down. My entire bathroom floor was soaked as was my laundry.
So I asked one of my neighbors if I could use her machine. This got us into a talk about my campaign for the ChristenUnie and about Christianity in general. She shared how over the past year she had developed an interest in Christianity and that she would actually really like to come with me to church. So expect to welcome a new face in church somewhere the coming weeks. Praise God for my washing machine breaking down!
