Bert de Ruiter cares deeply about those in various ministries with Muslims and believers of a Muslim background. Seeking to build a community so that no one feels alone in ministry, Bert connects networks to learn, share, and support each other. Through Bert’s efforts over the past several years, we connected with others involved in ministering with Muslims.
Bert and Jenny have a disarming style, in which you feel seen and recognized. The examples were always personal, but never too heavy-handed. Instructors who can put themselves in perspective are a real blessing. Especially in the good mix between a smile and a tear, a Biblical admonition and an arm around you. Fortunately, with many assignments that you carried out with your partner and the homework that had to be done during the weekend, it really turned out to be a practical weekend. We realized how precious and fragile marriage really is, a wonderful gift.
Bert led a series of men's mornings at our church. Bert shared Biblical knowledge, but also shared his own lived experiences. The homework was no less exciting: write a letter to your own father and share it with him if possible. A challenge that was a bit outside my comfort zone, but it has given my bond with my father an enormous depth. Bert really guided us in Biblical knowledge and vulnerability, a combination that is not always obvious in these types of meetings. In addition to Sharing Lives, in my opinion it also became Changing Lives.
The course Approaches to Muslims is one of most helpful and comprehensive courses for anyone seeking to learn how to build bridges with Muslims. Students will benefit deeply by the exposure to the rich variety of approaches resulting in their ability to formulate their own approach or approaches to Islam and to Muslims especially in Europe- approaches that are consistent both to the spirit and truth of God found in the Bible. This course is both academically rigorous and profoundly practical. Dr. Bert de Ruiter utilizes substantial academic as well as relevant multi- media, digital resources in teaching this course. As a person, he is academically equipped and he has vast practical experience derived from many years of ministry to and among Muslims.
Bert has an analytical method of preaching that touches the mind and heart of the listener through the Word of God. We learned a lot from him. Bert is also talented in providing marital relationship counseling and couples’ counseling. As a church we still invite Bert to preach. Bert lives what he says in his sermons or writing and is a good example for the others.