Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands honored three Seventh-day Adventists for their community service along with other national award recipients during an annual ceremony on April 30.

Pastoral worker Jan Kerssen was knighted into The Order of Orange-Nassau in the town hall in Groningen, by its Mayor Peter Rehwinkel. Kerssen was awarded for his commitment to smoking-cessation programs and for his involvement in setting up an inner-city drop-in center, The Oasis, in conjunction with other Protestant churches in Groningen.

Husband and wife Dimitri Triantos and Magda Trianto-van Kooij of the Dordecht Adventist Church were also awarded Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau for their work with International Children's Care (ICC), a private relief and development organization.

The Order of Orange-Nassau is a national civil and military honor typically awarded during an annual ceremony on the queen's birthday, April 30.

Wim Altink, president of the Adventist Church in the Netherlands, commended the award recipients for their community involvement. "An involved community church is a relevant church," Altink said. "It is great to see that the tireless efforts of Jan Kerssen, Dimitri and Magda Triantos are appreciated in this way."