Cornelius Staalman
DEACONS' COURT
Brought up in a Christian family in The Netherlands, my parents encouraged us children, after Sunday-school, to find a youth-group that was Bible based and where we felt at home. We ended up joining a ‘coffee bar group’, an open house, where, while drinking a cup of coffee, you could talk, discuss, and ask questions about life’s issues.
When some of the leading guys moved on, because of their studies, they asked for people to join the leadership team. This is how I and some others became leaders of the group. We invited pastors to speak to the youth, invited mission organizations to present themselves, and asked gospel groups to lead us in worship. During this time, my heart for missions grew and I started making mission trips through all of Europe. All this in my free time, but my desire was to become a full time worker for the Lord.
After having worked for two secular companies as electronic engineer, for about 22 years, I quit my job and joined a mission full time, where one of my jobs was speaking to youth groups, in coffee bars, and churches about mission and serving the lost and needy in this world. I knew that sooner or later, I would be on the field myself.
I married in my early twenties and have three children (and now three in-laws and nine grandchildren), from my first marriage. Much against my desire this marriage ended after about 16 years.
Seven years after my divorce I met Trudy. She was working in a special country and had set up an orphanage, where she took care of orphans, found homes for them in other countries and cared for the ones, that could not be adopted.
After 6+ years we were forced to close the home. We then knew ourselves to be led into disaster- and poverty relief, which resulted in a diversity of projects, including leprosy rehabilitation, educational, medical projects, and more. When we could no longer renew registration for our organization, we continued with care for handicapped young people.
Altogether, I worked in this country for twenty five years.
During that time we had three biological sons. Two of them are married and live in the States. Our youngest moved to the Netherlands and is still single.
After the 25 years in the field, we moved to Hong Kong, where we joined Crossroads. In a way we are now on the other side of helping and serving the poor and needy, namely by serving the workers in a member care capacity. As such I support the work of Member Care in the organization and make myself useful wherever needed.
When we came to Hong Kong we realized, that after a very long time of worshiping in other ways, we would be able to join a church again. We found Union Church, felt at home there and became members in 2018.
Through Union Church we became involved in Stephen Ministry and joined the prayer team.