Rev. Stefan Francke (1967) has been employed by our foundation as the dredging/offshore pastor since December 2012. He studied theology and philosophy in Kampen, Amsterdam, and Toronto (Canada). In addition, he completed a module in cultural psychology at the Open University. He served as a minister for the Protestant congregations in Zuid-Beijerland and Middelburg. In the latter location, he was also involved in organizing international church services.
Stefan views his field of work as an immense challenge. “In ordinary life, it is already quite an art to maintain basic trust in your daily life—at home, at work, and in the choices you make as a person—but even more so in the complex, demanding environment of dredging and marine construction.” Francke has been familiar with maritime life since his youth.
Stefan Francke can be reached
via email: waterbouwpastor@gmail.com / stefan@spwo.nl
by phone: +31 6 37008432
via WhatsApp: +31 6 53585423
He has set up his own blog, where he regularly reflects on his experiences as a “dredging pastor”: www.waterbouwpastor.nl
To ensure that SPWO can provide the required support during the pastor’s absence due to vacation or business travel, two “stand-in chaplains” are available: Lizzy Beenhakker (Advisor to Roman Catholic bishop of Rotterdam) and Kees Smit (former minister/spiritual caregiver at the Ministry of Defence).
An information brochure can be downloaded regarding Stefan’s visits to a project or a vessel:
