Pieter van der Goot, b. 1817 at Zaandam, was a Mennonite preacher at Wormer and Jisp 1841-1842, Rotterdam 1842-1851, and at Amsterdam 1851-1875, where he died in 1877. In Rotterdam he was closely associated with the Dutch Mission Society (founded in 1797) and especially with J. van Oosterzee, one of the best-known Reformed preachers of the time. His interest in mission work, which was later shown in his service as secretary of the Mennonite Mission Society founded in 1847, was aroused here and his spirit, which found no satisfaction in the current hyperrationalism, was completely at home here. When he came to Amsterdam the Reveil movement had already passed its prime, but he felt its influence, and many of its leaders, especially da Costa, were often among his audiences. He was a man of warm eloquence, not a strict dogmatician, but rather pietistically inclined. His colleague A. Loosjes, who delivered his funeral sermon (Amsterdam, 1877), especially praised van der Goot's delivery, which was borne by a spirit of warm love that moved his hearers. "The love of Christ constrained him." The memory of his personality is still alive in the Amsterdam congregation, which he served for 24 years. He lamented the critical trend of liberalism which at that time exerted a profound influence on the Dutch brotherhood.
As secretary of the Mennonite Mission Society van der Goot was able to stir up interest in its cause when such interest was as yet quite feeble. He lived with the missionaries, prayed for them in public services, and kept them in his home when they were on furlough. His appeal also reached the Mennonites of other countries, especially Germany and Russia . The mission work in Java and Sumatra owes much to him.
He was also deeply interested in home missions. At this time the Zetten institutions were just being established by O. G. Heldring. Van der Goot was a member of the Amsterdam committee that supported this work. He was also an outstanding philanthropist, deeply moved by the lot of the poor; and with the support of wealthy friends he assisted whenever he was able.
All these activities consumed van der Goot's strength. In the prime of life, at the age of 58 years, he was compelled to resign, and in two years he died. The only writings he left were Geloofsbeproeving en Geloofskracht bij Christelijke martelaressen (Amsterdam, 1858, and Opwekingsrede bij het verslag van de 35ste Openlijke Vergadering der afdeeling Rotterdam van het Ned. Bijbelgenootschap, 18. Oct. 1849 (Rotterdam, 1849). His plan to publish a book of Pastorale Herinneringen was unfortunately never carried out.