Christians Hold Canal Praise Parade and March for Jesus in Amsterdam

By Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

AMSTERDAM (Worthy News) – A month after the LGBTQ+ community held its annual Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade in decorated boats, Christians sailed through the Dutch capital’s historic canals over the weekend with a message of hope: “Jesus Christ gives eternal life to anyone who believes in Him.”

The Canal Praise Parade, featuring believers singing Gospel songs in dozens of boats, was a far cry from the many semi-naked men and women dancing at the recent Pride.

The Christian parade was part of the “Celebrating Jesus Amazing Grace Event.” Soon after, more than 1,000 Christians took part in the “March for Jesus” through the center of Amsterdam.

Carrying flags, “March for Jesus” signs, and playing instruments, they walked to the city’s famed Dam Square, where in recent weeks anti-Israel protests were held and the National Monument—dedicated to victims of World War II, including Jews, and subsequent armed conflicts—was vandalized.

However, Celebrating Jesus Ministries, the group organizing the Jesus event, said they wanted to send a different message to Amsterdam at a time when the city celebrates its 750th anniversary. The group said they had invited Christians from all churches to “speak with one voice that Jesus is Lord.”

Dutch evangelist Tom de Wal, founder of evangelism and Bible-teaching organization Frontrunners Ministries, noted a nationwide evangelism movement in the Netherlands.

Ahead of Saturday’s “Celebrating Jesus Amazing Grace Event,” some 2,000 Christians preached the Gospel in Amsterdam and other cities across the Netherlands, he recalled.

‘GOD’S AGENDA’

He said the June 21 evangelism outreach “wasn’t just happening without a reason. It is part of God’s agenda.”

De Wal sees parallels with visits by the late evangelist Billy Graham to the Netherlands, when he filled stadiums and trained evangelists. “However, this time we are sending Christians out. Evangelism is happening on streets, among the people. I think this movement is historic.”

Mainstream media have noticed the developments after tens of thousands of young people attended a four-day revival meeting, May 29–June 1.

De Wal also pointed out that “the evangelism outreach” coincided with “The Million Month,” a large-scale evangelism initiative organized by the Awakening Europe movement to share the Gospel with one million people across 30+ European cities “through one-to-one street evangelism during a two-week period.”

“All these initiatives came together on similar dates. That wasn’t planned, it’s happening,” De Wal said, adding that he believes God is behind the events.

He and others notice a growing interest in the Bible among Generation Z (Gen Z), the demographic group of roughly 13 to 28 years old. While Gen Z, sometimes dubbed the “TikTok generation,” grew up with mobile devices and fast social media outlets, many increasingly search for more in-depth Bible teachings, according to researchers.

A growing number of Gen Z members have also turned to social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to spread the Gospel or show interest in the Christian faith.

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