by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

VEENENDAAL, NETHERLANDS (Worthy News) – An estimated 800 mourners gathered Thursday in the central Dutch town of Veenendaal to bid farewell to Bible teacher and gospel musician Ab Klein Haneveld, whose uncompromising biblical teachings and commitment to evangelism influenced generations of Christians in the Netherlands and beyond.

Peter van Eendenburg, a board member of the Netherlands Bible Study Center (NBC), which Klein Haneveld founded, estimated attendance at the emotional farewell service held in the Julianakerk (Juliana Church) in Veenendaal.

Klein Haneveld died on October 15 at age 81 after being hospitalized in the preceding weeks with several health problems. Doctors subsequently diagnosed pancreatic cancer that had spread to other parts of his body, the NBC said.

“His legacy of Bible studies is immense,” Van Eendenburg stressed. However, he acknowledged that Klein Haneveld’s outspoken interpretations of Scripture sometimes challenged established theological views and drew criticism from within Christian circles.

“He was not always taken seriously by the religious establishment. At times, critics even accused him of promoting false teachings,” Van Eendenburg recalled. He said Klein Haneveld deliberately questioned traditional interpretations, sometimes using sweeping statements to encourage listeners to examine Scripture for themselves.

FOCUS ON RISEN CHRIST

His teachings occasionally angered church leaders. One Christmas service was reportedly cut short by an upset pastor after Klein Haneveld urged Christians not to focus excessively on the infant Jesus.

He believed Christian teaching should emphasize not only Jesus’ earthly humiliation but also His resurrection and continuing ministry as the risen Jesus Christ, including His intercession for believers.

During Thursday’s service, his son Jacob Klein Haneveld unexpectedly addressed mourners.

“Brothers and sisters, I am not standing here to praise my father into heaven. He is already there,” he said.

Jacob urged Christians to remain faithful to Scripture, echoing one of his father’s favorite warnings: “Beware of cleverly invented fables. Please hold fast to what you have been taught.”

He then referred to the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, including the call to put on the full armor of God in the spiritual struggle described in chapter six.

FUTURE OF BIBLE CENTER

The future of the Netherlands Bible Study Center also featured prominently in the farewell. Although Jacob shares his father’s biblical convictions, the organization is not expected to continue under a new leader in its existing form.

“Ab believed it was important for us as believers to continue gathering around God’s Word, but the name NBC must remain associated with Ab. The NBC board feels exactly the same way,” Van Eendenburg explained.

He said the board would consider practical arrangements for continuing biblical teaching in another form.

“For now, what prevails among all of us is gratitude for God’s great grace through the resurrection of our Lord and Savior,” he added. “Ab is home, and we are grateful that he was allowed to be such an important spiritual leader in our lives.”

FAITH AND FREEDOM

Bible teacher Jürgen Brandt, who had known Klein Haneveld for more than 35 years, said the gathering combined gratitude with grief.

“There is a time for joy, happiness and gratitude. But there is also a time for sorrow, pain, absence and loss,” Brandt said, referring to the biblical book of Ecclesiastes.

“I think today is one of those days when those times come together,” he added, expressing gratitude for Klein Haneveld’s life, his decades of Bible teaching and the fact that he had not endured prolonged physical suffering during his final illness.

Brandt praised his friend for resisting religious hierarchies and allowing people to attend his Bible studies without joining an organization or signing statements of belief.

“He never sought to exercise power over the brothers and sisters,” Brandt said. “You were free. You could come whenever you wanted and leave whenever you wanted.”

FINAL SCRIPTURAL MESSAGE

He also recalled Klein Haneveld’s characteristic expressions, including “Do you still follow?” and the English phrase “Mind you,” prompting knowing laughter among mourners.

Brandt said proclaiming God’s Word had always remained central to Klein Haneveld’s work, regardless of criticism or disagreement.

He recalled the biblical passage chosen by the family for the funeral announcement, from 2 Timothy 4:8, concerning the crown of righteousness promised by the Lord.

Brandt also cited the preceding verse: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith,” saying those words reflected Klein Haneveld’s life.

Toward the end of his address, Brandt recalled how a brother-in-law had introduced him to Klein Haneveld more than 35 years earlier, beginning a lasting friendship.

He concluded with verses from a poem written by Johan Th. Bos for his brother-in-law’s memorial service in 1996, at which Klein Haneveld had spoken. The verses reflected the emptiness left by the loss of a spiritual teacher who had helped many believers find answers to their questions.

PERSONAL FAMILY TRIBUTES

One of the most moving tributes came from Geralda van Sandijk, daughter of Klein Haneveld’s late second wife, Eef.

“Although you were not my daddy, you were a father to me in the broadest sense of the word,” she said, recalling how he had cared for her after marrying her mother and loved her as his own daughter.

She remembered how he had become emotional after watching her perform as a child in the German city of Wuppertal, telling her that her mother would have loved to see her onstage.

Van Sandijk also acknowledged his human shortcomings, saying he had made painful mistakes. Yet she emphasized that despite his imperfections, he had devoted his life to studying Scripture and sharing his Christian faith.

“We will miss that man, and we will see that brother again above,” she concluded before inviting mourners to sing a Christian hymn.

JAZZ AND GOSPEL MUSIC

Hundreds had also attended a condolence gathering Tuesday evening, accompanied by a jazz band in which Klein Haneveld had once performed.

Jazz music returned during Thursday’s farewell service, while his brother Han delivered a moving rendition of the Christian hymn The Old Rugged Cross.

Klein Haneveld was buried privately shortly afterward, with a sea of flowers marking his final farewell.

Among those bringing flowers was Johan Th. Bos, a journalist, songwriter and Worthy News contributor who had shared a decades-long friendship with Klein Haneveld.

The two performed together in the Bible Believing Christians (BBC) Combo, while Bos also drew inspiration from Klein Haneveld’s Bible teachings for his poetry and songs.

MUSICAL FRIENDSHIP

Speaking with a voice made slightly hoarse by emotion, Bos recited a poem during the farewell service honoring their friendship, shared Christian faith and musical collaboration.

“I have lost my friend, who will forever remain my friend,” the poem began.

It recalled their years performing Christian music together and Klein Haneveld’s commitment to explaining Scripture, while expressing the Christian hope that death is not the end.

The poem also acknowledged the emptiness left by his passing and the responsibility of others to continue sharing the biblical message he had proclaimed.

It concluded with a reference to the message of grace that Klein Haneveld hadpreached throughout his life:

“A completely new covenant began for believers when Christ rose from the dead.”

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.