REV. WILLEM J.J.GLASHOUWER

President, Christians for Israel International
Honorary President, European Coalition for Israel

Reverend Willem J.J. Glashouwer was born in the Netherlands in 1944 into a Dutch Reformed family that was active in the Resistance Movement. His father was a well-known Dutch Reformed pastor, who was imprisoned several times during World War II, and was actively involved in hiding Jews.

After completing his classical High School Education at the Gymnasium, he studied Theology at the Universities of Groningen and Utrecht, where he received his theological degrees, and was ordained as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in Holland.

For 20 years he served as a producer, host and finally executive director of the Television department of the Dutch Evangelische Omroep (Evangelical Broadcasting Company). He was one of the pioneers who established this broadcasting organisation in Holland, which is now part of the State Broadcasting system of the Netherlands, and one of the largest broadcasting companies in the country. During these years he produced and hosted many radio and television programs, including a multi-media documentary series on the origins of the Bible, the world, Israel and Christianity. He was also one of the founders of the Institute for Evangelical Higher Education in the Netherlands, and the Christian School for Journalism.

Following a major brain-surgery (in which a very large brain tumour was removed) he became full-time minister of a 2500-member church in Katwijk, Holland, which he served for 7 years.

Rev. Willem J.J. Glashouwer served for over 12 years as the Chairman of the Dutch organisation ‘Christenen voor Israel’. In July 1999 he became full-time President of Christians for Israel International, which now has branches in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and connections with many other countries. In 2004 he was elected as Chairman, and in 2008 as Honorary President, of the European Coalition for Israel (see www.ec4i.org).

Rev. Glashouwer has published several books, articles and Bible Studies on Israel, including the book Why Israel? Understanding Israel, the Church and the nations in the last days. This book has been published in Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, Ukrainian and Russian, and editions in other languages are in preparation. On the basis of this book a Teachers’ Guide and teaching materials for Bible-study groups have been developed, and are now available in an 8-episode video/DVD series, hosted by Rev. John Tweedie, chairman Christians for Israel International. A 12-episode 28-minutes series entitled Jerusalem in Focus hosted by Rev. Willem J. J. Glashouwer is also available. (For more information on Christians for Israel resources see www.c4israel.org). Rev. Glashouwer has also published a 500-page commentary in the format of a daily devotional on the book of Revelation (available in Dutch and German), and a booklet on the Christian faith entitled Living in Victory.

Willem has been married to Marianne for over 30 years; they have 4 children.