Look Up & Priesthood

THE DUO FUELING AMSTERDAM WITH COFFEE, BOOKS, AND JESUS

Look Up and Priesthood are two different ministries of YWAM Amsterdam with slightly different focuses that share an incredible space right in the heart of the city. Together, we create a thriving hub of community, hospitality, friendship, creativity, and pursuit of the knowledge of God! 

Look Up has been running for seven years now and is a place that promotes an alternative (God-honouring) view of the city, provides quality Christian books in English and Dutch, stocks ethical products with social impact, and platforms local artists through the selling of their works and exhibitions in our gallery space. As new team members have joined the team, their particular flavour and calling on their life has added to this strong base. So, let’s meet the team! 

Liam (full time staff): I’m a huge book nerd and love to talk specifically about theology. I’m in charge of ordering the books we have and making sure we have a quality, wide selection of reads. I also build relationships with local churches of different denominations (Jesuit, Catholic, Orthodox) in order to foster better dialogue and collaboration. One of my favourite things to do is run city tours in Amsterdam! This city has such a rich heritage and it’s awesome to open people’s eyes to it.  

Lauren (full time staff): I studied sociology at university, so one of my favourite things is to discuss culture, society, and faith with people who come into the shop. I’ve also become involved in the storytelling community in Amsterdam. I love inviting storytellers to events we run and helping artists we exhibit find a story to tell through their work. I also lead the team. Making sure my team is healthy, sustainable, and doing what God calls them to brings me joy. 

Adri (full-time staff): I am a huge bookworm, so it’s cool that through Look Up. I run a book club for mostly university students and young professionals. I’m also a visual artist and love connecting with the local artists we work with. I hope to start running watercolour workshops in the near future!  

Allison (part time staff): I really feel called to the people of Amsterdam, so I simply love being able to meet the people who call this place home and all those who visit it. It’s such an international city! I studied business administration at university, so I thrive when it comes to improving our systems and processes. It’s satisfying work.  

Wietske (volunteer): I came to faith out of a new age practice, so I have so much compassion when people who are from that background come into the shop. I understand where they are coming from and am passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus with them! I also am the only native Dutch speaker on the team, so it’s great when I can connect more deeply with local Dutchies by speaking their heart language, and I learn so much from my international colleagues’ perspectives on the Netherlands.  

It’s such a fun team, and we all have many stories of great interactions in the shop and all that runs through it. Some days pass by slowly and we get the opportunity to read many of the incredible books in stock. Other days you’ll talk to someone for two hours straight and go deep, and still other days you simply shine the light of Jesus through kind interactions. 

One of the best bits about working at Look Up is getting to partner with the awesome ministry of Priesthood. Priesthood joined the Look Up space first as a pop-up cafe. However, the location is so good, and our ministries are so complementary that we’re working side by side nearly four years later! Priesthood aims to be a living room for the city, fostering this through quality specialty coffee. Hospitality is one of our strongest values, and it’s so great to see the transformation on people’s faces when their barista not only acknowledges them but remembers their story and cares to go deeper.  

Meet our staff and hear about their favourite recent customer interaction: 

Nadja: One of our regular customers came in for many months and would never engage in conversation. Every time she’d say, “Latte please” and nothing else. We couldn’t even get her name out of her. My colleague and I would discuss our desire to get to know her, but it was impossible. Then one night she came to one of our monthly evening events, and suddenly she opened up. After that, she became way more chatty, and we learned she was actually a Christian but was struggling knowing how to live out her faith in a place like Amsterdam. We eventually became friends. I did her nails and helped her when she was preparing to move to another city. She became so sweet and would come in regularly just to say hello. The transformation was amazing, and I’m so grateful I could be a consistent face every week and eventually be a safe place for her to open up.  

Jurre: A little while ago, an older woman came in who had been pushed off her bike and hurt her arm pretty badly. It was a bad experience and she wasn’t in a good state of mind, and wouldn’t even let us help her with her wound. She also only wanted to speak in Dutch because of her bad experience being with English speakers. So, I listened to her for probably an hour and she spoke about all kinds of fears and worries. I hardly said a word, just listened. By the end, she was calmer and smiling. Since that time, she has come in multiple times, and we’ve been able to have good conversations about the Netherlands and faith. She is someone I never would have spoken to on the street, and it’s great to have the time and space for her to heal slowly.  

Look Up & Priesthood are more than just a cafe/bookstore/gallery. In collaboration with the YWAM Amsterdam creative team, Mosaic, we run fun monthly events to promote community in a lonely city. Latte Art Throwdowns, Hip Hop and Chess, Trivia, Storytelling, Reading, and all kinds of experimental ideas… We’ve had so much fun reaching different subgroups in the city. It’s the perfect place to meet, collaborate, be creative, go deep, and explore ideas.  

These ministries are nothing without Jesus-lovers giving their all for the sake of the city. All the fun ideas and connections are a direct result of obedience to God’s call in each staff member’s life. Maybe God is prompting you about the city of Amsterdam. We’d love to have you join us.  

Due to the relational nature of our work, we’re seeking committed missionaries to join the team for a minimum of two years. You’ll be part of the dynamic YWAM Amsterdam community and make many friends along the way. 

Apply: https://www.ywamamsterdam.com/aboutjoiningstaff 

Simply want to come visit? You’ll find us at Prinshendrikkade 50, Amsterdam 1012C. Opening hours are 11:00-17:00, Tuesday to Friday.