My current research focuses on collaborative research approaches in practical theology (see new book!), pioneer planting,  Christian community formation, missional communication of the Christian faith, church closures.  Recently we started a collaborative research project with some twenty churches and faith-based organisations in the city and wider area of Groningen, The Netherlands. 

I also focus on methodological issues (collaborative approaches and methods, action research, citizen science, focus groups / visual ethnography).

Currently I am supervising 11 PhD-Projects.

Henk de Roest was bom May 31st, 1959 and studied philosophy of religion and practical theology at Leiden University. He was ordained minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in 1987, serving two parishes just north of Amsterdam: Holysloot-Ransdorp and Durgerdam (1987-1995) and from 1995 Monnickendam (1995-1999). In 1998 he obtained his doctorate with distinction at Leiden University with a thesis called 'Communicative ldentity. Jürgen Habermas' Perspectives of Discourse as a Support for Practical Theology' (Kampen: Kok), 396p.

From 1999-2001 he was Lecturer in Practical Ecclesiology at Utrecht University. From September 2001 he held the Chair of Practical Theology at Leiden University and from January 2007 he holds the same Chair at the Protestant Theological University, from 2012 location Groningen.

Henk de Roest guest-lectured in universities in: Seoul, Daewon, Busan, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Cambridge, London (Kings College), Zürich, Kiel, Oslo (MF School of Theology). 

In the past years, he participated and lectured in conferences in: Hawarden (Gladstone Library), Berlin, Lund, Heidelberg, Bergen, Durham (Ushaw College, St. Johns College), Brussels, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, Kinshasa, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Singapore, Minneapolis, Craiova, Sofia, Tallinn, Antwerp, Rheine, Eupen, Rendsburg, Fribourg, Prague, Debrecen, Copenhagen, Oslo, Frankfurt and Komarno (Slovakia).