Friendship across borders
Some stories of faith begin with a handshake — others with a shared dorm room.
In 2004, two young men from very different parts of the world met while studying at a Bible College in India. One was Johan, from the Netherlands; the other, David, from Myanmar. They quickly became more than classmates — they became close friends and roommates.
They prayed together, studied Scripture side by side, and dreamed about what it would mean to serve God in their own nations. Even then, there was a shared conviction: the gospel should not just be studied but lived — in every village, every language, every life.
Johan, David and 2 other students in 2004 Bible College India
Johan and Alette visiting David just after they got marries in 2015
Friendship Across Borders
After their time in India, the two stayed in touch. Johan visited David several times in Myanmar, witnessing firsthand both the beauty and the hardship of the nation David called home. Together they traveled through small villages, met local pastors, and prayed for the people who had never heard the name of Jesus.
Those visits deepened their friendship and planted something lasting — a shared vision for mission that crossed cultures and borders.
From Friendship to Partnership
In 2011, Johan founded Forerunner, a mission organization in the Netherlands focused on supporting leaders and gospel movements in nations where faith often comes at a cost. From the very beginning, David’s ministry in Myanmar became one of Forerunner’s key partnerships.
Through Forerunner’s network of supporters, David and his team have been equipped to plant churches, provide relief during crisis, and train new leaders for the future. What began as a friendship between two young students has grown into a mission movement touching thousands of lives.
Still Walking Together
Even after two decades, the bond between Johan and David remains strong. They speak often — sharing updates, prayer requests, and encouragement — despite the thousands of kilometers between Taungoo and the Netherlands.
Johan continues to stand with David as both a friend and ministry partner, while the wider Forerunner team helps ensure that the vision God gave them years ago keeps moving forward.
Their story is a reminder that God often starts world-changing work in the simplest places — like a shared college dorm room in India — and turns it into something that outlasts time and distance.
