4D is all about empowering Eastern European churches in fulfilling their mission of spreading the Gospel, nurture new believers toward growth, connect them with others and send out for service.
We do this by connecting them with partners from across the world and make different resources available, so as to help them become more outward looking and fruitful. Or much simpler said – we are dedicated to putting the wind in their sails.
Values that Drive 4D
Christ centered
Field driven
The outcome (fruitfulness) is more important than the output (activities)
Servant leadership and accountability
Purpose driven
Partnerships empower those in ministry, who also invest in others
Generosity
“It’s all about helping churches in Eastern Europe be fruitful and missional. The best way for 4D is not to grow “our” tree bigger, but to help networks of national churches be more outward looking and fruitful. More important than one large tree is God’s orchard of fruit bearing trees!”
Meet the Team
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Hank and Mona Paulson
Founder and President Emeritus
Hank was born in Holland and educated in Holland and England. He started ministry in 1971 to serve the church behind the Iron Curtain. The full story can be read in his book, Beyond the Wall. From the very beginning, partnerships and cooperative efforts with other like-minded ministries were an integral part of the ministry, leading to the establishment of services such as the Literature Information Service, Border Information Service, and Sensitive Information Service, which benefited the Eastern Europe mission community during the Communist era.
In 2011, Paulson and a proven team of coworkers began a new ministry called 4D Ministries. Its aim is to work with indigenous ministries and networks of churches, taking partnerships and empowering nationals to a higher level, inspiring in the works of generosity and leadership development.
Hank continues to serve as an active Board Member and a champion for the mission of empowering local churches in Central and Eastern Europe.
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Mark and Sherri Rinkel
President
In the Fall of 2024, Mark Rinkel started an increasingly active role after serving on the Board of Directors and supporting the ministry for several years. He was born to Dutch immigrants who later served as missionaries to the Czech Republic. Mark and Sherri retired early from successful careers in Tech and Law Enforcement in 2019 and spent several years traveling full-time.
Mark and Sherri have always appreciated how 4D is focused on the local churches in Central and Eastern Europe. 4D doesn’t just strive for new believers, but strive to see those new believers connected and growing within the local church.
The partners are key to making it happen. 4D doesn’t go to them with a plan of how to reach unbelievers in their own communities. The partners share a strategy with us on how unbelievers can be reached. Our supporters share their vision and together a plan is implemented. Each year we are greatly encouraged by what God is accomplishing through these field-driven ministries!
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Gabriel and Majka Hakulín
Vice-President
In Spring of 2020, Gabriel and Majka Hakulín joined the 4D team. Both in their mid-twenties say, “we are so blessed to be able to serve God’s kingdom at such a young age”. Gabriel who is 4D’s Vice President says “we never thought about working together for God, but He prepared us for it”.
Camps are very special to Gabriel and he committed his life to Christ at the camp, he attended since high school. Both also have a passion to help organizations develop, become self-supporting, and grow.
They have been involved with one of our Czech partners HledamBoha (Internet ministry) for several years. Gabriel earned their Master’s in Economics in the Czech Republic and Majka the same degree in her home country Slovakia. They enjoy finance and marketing, especially to further God’s kingdom.
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Rei and Romona
Via Institute
Rei and Ramona have partnered with Hank Paulson for over 30 years. First, developing a church-based program for children, youth, and young adults in Cluj, Romania.
From the very beginning, Rei also pioneered training and resources for youth workers throughout Romania and beyond. His network of contacts continues to enable national impact.
History
Hank was born in Holland and educated in Holland and England. He started ministry in 1971 to serve the church behind the Iron Curtain. The full story can be read in his book, Beyond the Wall. From the very beginning, partnerships and cooperative efforts with other like-minded ministries were an integral part of the ministry, leading to the establishment of services such as the Literature Information Service, Border Information Service, and Sensitive Information Service, which benefited the Eastern Europe mission community during the Communist era.
The Cold War
During the Cold War era and after a seven-week trip to the Soviet Union, the Lord gave Hank Paulson, a young Dutchman, a burden to encourage and strengthen the Eastern European Church that was persecuted and denied much of what it needed to grow and mature. In 1971, at great risk to himself and to those with whom he built bridges, 23-year-old Paulson began smuggling Bibles and Christian literature into Communist countries and delivered them into the hands of as many believers as he could. As he met with Christians in the Soviet Union who had been imprisoned or persecuted for their faith, he came face to face with the startling fact that in many places there was only one Bible for every several hundred believers. This need stirred him deeply.
Eastern European Bible Mission
Paulson’s desire to get the living Word of God into the hands of believers generated the Eastern European Bible Mission (EEBM), later called New Hope International. Five years later, Mona, who had received her own call for ministry in Eastern Europe, joined and two years later they married. For almost 20 years, Hank and his colleagues smuggled Bibles and Christian materials behind the Iron Curtain. They also established secret camps and training programs to strengthen the Church. Greetings and help from believers across the ocean helped these Eastern European believers immeasurably; they knew they were not alone.
The Freedom
In 1989, when the Wall fell and freedom was restored, those with whom Paulson had forged relationships told him the ministry was needed then more than ever to provide vision, materials, and training for churches to help them grow and adapt to the many changes in their new post-Communist world.
New Hope International
In response, a new phase of the ministry emerged. It was built upon the solid foundation of two decades of relationship and trust building. At this point, the ministry’s name was changed to New Hope and within a short period of time, equipping and publishing ministries were launched in seven of the former Communist countries.
4D Ministries
In 2011, Paulson and a proven team of coworkers began a new ministry called 4D Ministries. Its aim is to work with indigenous ministries and networks of churches, taking partnerships and empowering nationals to a higher level, inspiring in the works of generosity and leadership development.