Brother Andrew, a missionary who smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain and founded Christian charity Open Doors, has died aged 94.
Anne van der Bijl, who used the name Andrew to protect his identity, was knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 1993 and received the World Evangelical Alliance’s Religious Liberty Award in 1997 for his service to the persecuted church.
His wife Corrine passed away in 2018. He is survived by their five children.
Everyday obedience
Born in The Netherlands, Brother Andrew’s autobiography God’s Smuggler, which details his missions, has sold more than ten million copies and been translated into 35 languages.
The Bible is full of ordinary people who went to impossible places and did wondrous things simply because they decided to follow Jesus.
His first mission was to Poland in 1955 where he attended a Communist youth rally, taking a Bible and hundreds of Christian tracts. Over many decades, he travelled to countries including Russia, China, Cuba and Uganda, and Open Doors grew from a small mission to a global charity working in more than 60 countries.
Brother Andrew emphasised: “The real calling is not a certain place or career but to everyday obedience. And that call is extended to every Christian, not just a select few.”
He added: “The Bible is full of ordinary people who went to impossible places and did wondrous things simply because they decided to follow Jesus.”
‘Courageous’
CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland Henrietta Blyth reflected: “When Brother Andrew started his ministry, little did he imagine that within 60 years it would embrace millions of Christians worldwide. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy.”
In 2018, the then Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt wrote to Brother Andrew saying: “I would like to express my personal thanks for the extraordinary and courageous support you have provided to the persecuted Church throughout the years”.
He added: “Having read ‘God’s Smuggler’ as a child, I know that your story has inspired millions of people around the world to speak out on behalf of the voiceless and suffering.”