Born in Sint Pancras, Netherlands, on May 11, 1928, Anne van der Bijl, known as Brother Andrew, grew up dreaming of being a spy. His early life was marked by the turbulence of World War II, where he engaged in resistance activities. After the war, he served in the Dutch army in Indonesia, but a serious injury brought his military career to an abrupt end. During his recovery in a Catholic hospital, Brother Andrew began reading the Bible, which sparked a profound transformation in his life. He returned to the Netherlands and committed his life to following God.
Brother Andrew attended the Worldwide Evangelization Crusade Training College in Glasgow, Scotland, where he studied theology. It was during this time that he felt a call to bring Bibles to Christians behind the Iron Curtain. In 1955, he embarked on his first mission to Warsaw, Poland, where he saw the desperate need for Bibles. This journey marked the beginning of his life-long mission as a Bible smuggler.
With his iconic blue VW Beetle, Brother Andrew began smuggling Bibles into communist countries, often praying, "Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see." Many miraculous accounts followed, where border guards seemingly overlooked his cargo of Bibles.
In 1955, he founded Open Doors, a ministry dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians. His efforts expanded with Project Pearl in 1981, which delivered one million Bibles to China in a single night. Brother Andrew's ministry extended beyond the Iron Curtain as he engaged with leaders of Islamic groups, demonstrating love and seeking reconciliation.
Brother Andrew's life and work exemplify faith, courage, and a commitment to sharing the transformative power of the Bible. Through his ministry, Jesus protected him and opened doors that seemed impossible to open.
