Destiny Church Groningen
Destiny Church Groningen is a neo-charismatic church denomination which was founded in 1992 in Groningen, the Netherlands, by Johan and Tessa Proost.
Origin
Destiny Church follows a Charismatic and Apostolic interpretation of Biblical principles. Its membership are predominantly Antillians from the island of Curaçao.
Development
Destiny Church started with a membership of 17 people and within three years had grown to 600. Destiny Church now has a network of 10 churches in the Netherlands, Aruba, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Mexico and Rwanda. The church provides not only religious guidance but also a range of social services such as homework groups, help in choosing schools, and helping young women who have been abused for prostitution.
From 1994 to 2005 Destiny Church was part of an apostolic organisation. Since 2005 it has been autonomous.
Characteristics and beliefs
Like other neo-charismatic churches it embraced many of the doctrines and practices found within Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, however it is not specifically aligned with either movement.
According to its webpage it is known as a Word of faith and a Dominion minded Church with a New Apostolic Reformation church structure. This mixture of beliefs and theology is very common in neo-charismatic churches.
References
- Burgess and van der Maas, introduction to The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, 20
- Barron, Bruce. 1992. Heaven on Earth? The Social & Political Agendas of Dominion Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan.
- Johan Proost (Dutch Wikipedia)