belgium / europe

Spiritual Climate

Even though Belgium is a heavily divided country, its people continue to have great respect for their traditions and customs. Evangelicals only make up a little over 1% of the population, however Pentecostal and conservative churches have seen a sustained increase of believers for many years. This can be attributed to the ongoing determination and commitment of church planting efforts and relational witnessing. Because the responsiveness of hearing the gospel is increasing, there is also an increasing need for more Christians to join the efforts being made in Belgium to share the gospel. If this open-mindedness is partnered with consistent outreach, focused ministry and solid discipleship from dedicated Christ followers, Belgium has the possibility of experiencing radical spiritual awakening.

Ground-Level Perspectives

The growth of evangelical believers has been sustained over many years. While only at a modest 1.2% of the population, evangelical faith in Belgium has never been stronger.
— Operation World

“43% of Belgian citizens responded that "they believe there is a God", whereas 29% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 27% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life force".”
— Eurobarometer Poll

The presence of many immigrant believers has also given impetus to the increase of faith. About half of all evangelicals in Belgium are foreigners, significant numbers of whom came to faith while in Belgium.
— Operation World

More about Belgium

A Couple Raw Facts


Evangelical Illustration

While only at a modest 1.2% of the population, evangelical faith in Belgium has never been stronger.

Chart

Atheists and the non-religious now number 31%.

 

History & Future

Entered
1989

WorldVenture History in Belgium

WorldVenture’s role in ministering to Belgians comes at a time when responsiveness to the gospel is increasing. The traditional closed mindset of the people is rapidly changing. As a result of the country’s political and economic prominence, Belgians are increasingly open to new ideas. Church planting and evangelism has been a focus for WorldVenture’s Belgium team.

Today &
Tomorrow

Belgium Team Goals

Although the doors are opening, building relationships with Belgian nonbelievers is still a challenge. It requires time and patience to see those who are mostly indifferent to the gospel take small steps toward faith. Club and camp activities for youth, sports ministries and education are continuing directions for evangelism and outreach.

5 Global
Objectives

WorldVenture Global Objectives

  1. Evangelizing the Peoples of the World
    • Relationships being cultivated with non-believers
    • Decisions to follow Christ
    • Believers baptized
    • People engaged in intentional discipleship
    • Bible verses translated and Christian resources created or translated
  2. Extending Grace
    • People helped through development assistance
    • People provided with medical and health assistance
    • People helped toward justice who are in illegal, immoral, dangerous, exploited circumstances
    • People helped directly through disaster relief
  3. Establishing Churches
    • New churches established
    • Daughter churches established
  4. Equipping Leaders
    • Leaders being trained for ministry through formal contexts
    • Leaders being trained for ministry through non-formal contexts
    • TCKs (third culture kids) being equipped
    • 360º leaders being equipped
  5. Encouraging Mission Movements
    • National Christians preparing to become cross-cultural missionaries
    • National churches engaged in cross-cultural missions
    • National church groups engaged in cross-cultural missions

Living Here

 

FOOD & HOUSING

Apparently, Belgians enjoy their fries with mayonnaise. I'm not a strong supporter of mayonnaise so I stuck with my traditional ketchup on that one.
— Michael Harney

“Belgium is famous for beer, chocolate, waffles and french fries. Contrary to their name, french fries also originated in Belgium. The national dishes are "steak and fries with salad", and "mussels with fries".”
— Maria Robbins (Global Gourmet)

COMMUNITY

There may be other moving tributes to war dead in other places and if there are, I would love to know about them. Personally, I have never experienced anything to compare with this nightly ritual at Ieper. It makes me want to cry just writing about it.
— Ken Wilson

 

WEATHER & ENVIRONMENT

We drove through the Belgium countryside which was beautiful; bright green pastures with cows scattered throughout and endless rows of corn stalks that lined the road. We were about 5 minutes from the camp when we turned the corner and came face to face with a huge work truck that … was apparently paving the dirt road to the camp and we would have to wait 45mins til they were done. So there we sit on the side of the road somewhere in the Belgium countryside waiting for a road to be made.
— Lauren

 

LANGUAGE & CULTURE

Interesting, though it’s easy to see where the confusion comes from: both “Belgium” and “Belgian” end in schwa followed by a nasal stop, which aren’t terribly easy to distinguish acoustically.
— Graham


Local News

The following is a live news feed mirrored from an independent news service, and offers a current stream of headlines coming out of the country. WorldVenture does not control headlines, but only "mirrors" them from other websites.

belgium source:bbc - Google News
Ethiopia's Bogaletch Gebre wins King Baudouin Prize - BBC News

BBC News

Ethiopia's Bogaletch Gebre wins King Baudouin Prize
BBC News
She was awarded the King Baudouin Prize in Belgium for confronting "culturally entrenched taboo subjects", the selection committee said. Ms Bogaletch ... Ms Bogaletch told BBC Focus on Africa that supporters of FGM believed in the "subjugation" of women.


Wednesday, May 22, 2013 10:08:58 AM

Africa 2013: Your questions to George Alagiah - BBC News

BBC News

Africa 2013: Your questions to George Alagiah
BBC News
As the Organisation of African Unity celebrates its 50th anniversary, the BBC is looking at the changes the continent has undergone over the past decades, with a series of reports on Africa in 2013. Once known for coups, drought, starvation and brutal ...


Tuesday, May 21, 2013 9:50:49 AM

Romelu Lukaku: Striker's future depends on next Chelsea boss - BBC News

BBC News

Romelu Lukaku: Striker's future depends on next Chelsea boss
BBC News
"I have to see," Lukaku told BBC WM. "I have to talk with the new manager. ... Belgium international Lukaku, whose father Roger played international football for Zaire, is a Chelsea supporter. Having first predicted that he would play for the club on a ...


Monday, May 20, 2013 11:11:50 AM

Bigotry against Jews and Muslims on the rise, says US - BBC News

Bigotry against Jews and Muslims on the rise, says US
BBC News
It found that Muslims faced new restrictions in Belgium, which had banned face-covering religious attire in classrooms. The report also raised concern at the restricting of headscarves in schools in Mangalore, India. A section on Burma highlighted ...


Monday, May 20, 2013 1:15:03 PM

World record price paid for Belgian racing pigeon Bolt - BBC News

World record price paid for Belgian racing pigeon Bolt
BBC News
A Belgian racing pigeon called Bolt has been sold to a Chinese businessman for a world record price of 310,000 euros (£260,000: $400,000). It is expected that the new owner will use Bolt for breeding more birds. The buyers of nine of the ten most ...


Tuesday, May 21, 2013 8:55:29 AM

This feed has 5 articles on 1 page

Opportunities

Opportunity TitleMinimum StayMaximum StayWorld AreaCountryOppSummaryOppResponsibilitiesOppRequirementsOppID
Basketball Coach2 Weeks1 MonthEuropeBelgiumWould you like to meet people at the level of their passion for basketball and help communicate the passion Jesus Christ has for them? Join the coaching staff for a youth basketball clinic for ages 8-17 and the administrative staff for a summer basketball league for players ages 18-25. Length of service is 2 weeks to 1 month.Coach fundamental skills during the basketball camp to groups of 6-8 athletes. You can also share your testimony of how you became a Christian. Be a court monitor during summer league games. Strategically, you'll be building relationships with players, parents and local coaches. Long-term relationships with some via e-mail & skype has the potential to multiply followers of Christ. For those who come from underpriviledged situation, your demonstration of compassion while teaching them about skills and character leaves a valuable and lasting witness for Christ. We have office space on a commercial street and access to a 3 court gymnasium in downtown Brussels. We now have a full year of dynamic programs ranging from the week-long vacation camps and 2 week (6 nights) of summer league in July to a season-long weekly shooting clinic and a US college scholarship trip for elite players to study in the US.Single male with college, high school or junior high coaching experience. Live with a host family or in a studio apartment. This opportunity is available for the month of July.1373
Communications Personnel2 Weeks1 MonthEuropeBelgiumThe Belgian field conducts a variety of basketball camps and youth camps. We need 2-3 people trained in communication media to film events and make dvds. Length of service is 2 weeks to 1 month.Filming sports events. Edit the footage. Add music and text and burn dvd's that last 1 minute, 5 minutes and 10 minutes, depending on the purpose: outreach to other youth or publicity updates for supporters & sports ministry networks.Possess your own equipment. Previous experience would be helpful. Eventually, we'd like to see a demo of the candidate's previous work. This opportunity is available for the month of July. Knowledge of French is optional. 1662
Website Personnel1 Month3 MonthsEuropeBelgiumOur sports ministry and two local churches need to have webites built and someone trained to maintain them. Length of service is 1 month to 3 months.Build 3 websites. Teach people to maintain them.Experience with building and training people to work with websites. It would be helpful if we could see examples of the candidate's work. Working knowledge of French needed. Position available in July and August.1663
Basketball Referees2 Weeks1 MonthEuropeBelgiumWe conduct a Summer Basketball League in Brussels for national level players ages 18-28. We want to see US referees who want to work along side our Belgian referees. Length of service is 2 weeks to 1 month.Referee 6 nights in 2 weeks. Help with a kids basketball camp during the daytime for a week, if you are interested in younger kids.Be an active member of a recognized high school or college officiating association. Knowledge of French is useful. This opportunity is available mid-late July. 1664
Basketball Players for summer league2 Weeks1 MonthEuropeBelgiumWe organize a summer basketball league for college level players. Length of service is 2 weeks to 1 month.Play hard, play smart and learn to play with Europeans. The league runs for 6 nights during the last 2 weeks of July. Build friendships with teammates that can be deepened over the years by inviting them to visit you in the US or correspond via internet. Semi-pro coaches also come to scout players for their rosters. Perhaps you might be able to extend your stay by playing on a local team. College players also help coach at the day camp for ages 10-17.College players should have a minimum level of 1 year of experience at the NAIA div 2 or the NCAA div 2 levels. Opportunity avaialable mid-July to mid-August.1665
Youth Evangelism1 YearLifetimeEuropeBelgiumFriendship evangelism with Jeunesse et Vie. This ministry exists to reach French-speaking teenagers with the Gospel and to connect them with the local churches with which it partners. Jeunesse et Vie is a relational ministry. Much of the contact work takes place during « club nights » on Friday evenings, during special group activities, and during 5 yearly camps. JV reaches between 100 and 150 kids each year.Pursue loving and trusting relationships with teenagers. Help organize, plan and run clubs, camps, and special events. Speak in small groups in French once able to do so. Do discipleship follow-up with young believers. Use personal spiritual gifts and talents in line with the needs of the ministry. Exemplify a fun-loving humour and Spirit-filled servant leader. Dedicated follower of Christ – people oriented - patient – humorous – creative – adaptable and flexible - experienced with teenagers – physically healthy and vigorous – open to new things, ideas and culture –servant leader – persevering – bring your umbrella! 1673

We're Open to New Ideas

We have many opportunities requested by our teams, but we're open to new ideas. God has moved us into over 60 countries by bringing us people with vision, passion and calling. If you don't find an opportunity that fits, or doesn't fully fit ... let's talk. Our first priority is relationship (i.e. "Are we a good fit for each other? You and WorldVenture"). Once that is clear, we will walk with you into almost anything.

Are you interested?

Get Started

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Projects

Missionary Team


Ted & Malia Winston

Working with youth in Belgium


Fred & Janet Young

Serving with WorldVenture in Belgium

Evangelizing the Peoples of the World

With respect for people and their cultures, we communicate, by word and deed, the full scope of biblical truth and, especially, the gospel. We make disciples of Jesus Christ among all peoples through different kinds of evangelism..

Relationships Being Cultivated with Non-Believers

We seek to build and nurture authentic relationships with people who have no knowledge of Jesus Christ with whom we can share our faith. Paul asks, 'How are they to believe in the one they have not heard of?' Romans 10:14. The answer is that they can't. It is our desire for those who have never heard the gospel or never understood it to have the chance know God. Many times a true opportunity to hear the gospel requires an environment of trust and friendship first.

Scriptures: Matt 28:18-20, Rom 10:14, 1 John 4:19.

 

Decisions to Follow Christ

We recognize both the internal conversion of the heart and external profession of faith as milestones in the journey of obedience to Jesus Christ. We encourage new believers to identify themselves as Christ-followers in ways that are recognized as authentic in the local context.

Scriptures: Romans 10:10, Matthew 5:14-16, Eph. 4:20-24, Mark 16:15 .

 

Believers Baptized

Baptism is another external milestone in the journey of obedience for a new believer. We encourage new Christ-followers to further identified themselves with Jesus Christ and the local community of faith through baptism by immersion.

Scriptures: Romans 6:3-6, Galatians 3:27, Matthew 28:19-20.

 

People Engaged in Intentional Discipleship

We nurture reasonable steps taken to pursue spiritual growth and evangelism from Christians and non-Christians. This often looks like greater depth in comprehending biblical truths and expressing their growing faith in ways meaningfully in their own culture.

Scriptures: Hebrews 10: 24-25, Eph. 4:11-17, Matthew 28: 18-20.

 

Bible Verses Translated and Christian Resources Created or Translated

We actively invest time and talent into Bible translation and creation of Christian media knowing that these investments will expand and deepen the influence of the gospel in a culture.

Scriptures: Acts 2:8-11, Philippians 2:9-11, Acts 13:47-49, Acts 8:26-39.

Extending Grace

Following the example of Jesus, we address human suffering and practical needs everywhere we share the gospel, whether it be through individual acts of mercy or community-wide programs.

Helping People through Development Assistance

Lasting community development is only achieved by insiders. Meaning, we assisted people in their own development efforts in the areas of acquiring sustainable food, water, shelter, literacy, vocational training, education, and employment. Our explicit goal is empowerment, dignity, and community ownership.

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 10:18, 1 Samuel 2:8, Psalm 145:15-16, Luke 12:33.

 

People Provided with Medical & Health Assistance

The grace and blessing of medical care where there is no other access to medical help is one of the longest standing outreaches of WorldVenture. Our hospitals and rural clinics dot some of the most difficult locations in the world.

Scriptures: Jeremiah 33:6, Isaiah 40:29, Matt 19:2.

 

Justice for those in Illegal, Immoral, & Dangerous Circumstances

We seek out those who have become vulnerable and fallen to the advantage of other people. We advocate for them within available legal systems, or we build exits and avenues for them to leave their circumstances.

Scriptures: Isaiah 43:2, Psalm 72:4, Isaiah 51:4-5, Ezekiel 34:15-16, Psalm 82:3-4.

 

Helping People Directly through Disaster Relief

In large scale disasters which are within locations we have workers and churches, we bring help directly to the people effected by the disaster. Our networks are often the most established in the communities to the point that larger relief organizations will defer to us on the ground. Yet our strategies always extend past the immediate response to include some form of rebuilding and restoration.

Scriptures: 1 Cor 16:1-4, Psalm 145:15-16, Philippians 4:19.

 

Establishing Churches

Building his church is central to Jesus’ purposes. We strive to establish healthy local churches that will establish other churches, resulting in church planting movements.

New Churches Established

Recognizing that church planting is typically more of a process rather than a one-time event, we speak of a church as being "established" when the local church and its local sister churches recognize it as such. We value real growth of the church, and use milestones like this to give us benchmarks to celebrate.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 15:20-21, Matthew 18:20, 1 Timothy 4:13, Acts 16:4-5.

 

Daughter Churches Established

 Another milestone we encourage as a mark of a maturing church is the multiplication of daughter churches. More than anything this is a sign of the outward growth and maturity of the faith community.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 16:4-5, Romans 15:20-21, Ephesians 2:19-22.

 

Equipping Leaders

We develop leaders who are able to lead others in contextualizing and maximizing their Kingdom impact – locally, regionally, and around the world.

Leaders Being Trained for Ministry through Formal Contexts

Leadership Development

Our workers staff numberous formal seminaries and bible schools as teachers or administrators. We know that people being equipped in and for ministry through formal degree/diploma granting institutions is an investment in the future health and vitality of the church.

Scriptures: Proverbs 2:10-11, Luke 2:45-47, Proverbs 1:1-7.

 

Leaders being Trained for Ministry through Non-Formal Contexts

Leadership Development

In addition to formal academic training, we encourage leadership development through non-formal ministry training seminars, courses, and programs. These programs are equally as powerful for deepening and establishing churches through informed and mature lay leaders.

Scriptures: Psalm 32:8, Psalm 119:105, John 10:3-4.

 

TCKs (Third Culture Kids) being Equipped

Experience has taught us that some of the most natural and effective future missionaries come from the children of our current missionaries. Not only does the investment in these children make it possible for their parents to work in remote locations, most of the international schools in which we partner encourage the personal ministry and impact these children can have while on the field.

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:9, Matthew 18:2-5, 1 Timothy 4:12.

 

"360º Leaders" being Equipped

Our 360° vision for impacting societies recognizes that there are a handful of key roads to impacting in any given city or provence or people group. For example, business and media are key influencers in a society, but often fall outside designated leadership tracks like pastors and teachers. We encourage the development of Christian leaders who will influence society through business, politics, medicine, media, social justice, and family and community development.

Scriptures: John 17:15-19, Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Romans 12:6-8, Matthew 25:23.

 

Encouraging Mission Movements

We will encourage individuals, churches, and church movements everywhere to connect with each other and other organizations, creating international relationships for networking, collaborating, and partnering to do missions “from everywhere to everywhere.”

National Christians Preparing to Become Missionaries

We encourage the natural progression of a maturing national church by advocating for the training and development of national Christians to become missionaries. Crossing-cultures is always difficult, even for those who are born and raised in multi-lingual, multi-cultural environments, and preparation can be a key element in the succeess of a national missionary.

Scriptures: Psalm 144:1, Galations 3:28, Psalm 32:8, Isaiah 61:1.

 

National Churches Engaged in Cross-Cultural Missions

In addition to individuals going out as missionaries, we encourage national churches to engage in missions.

Scriptures: Romans 10:15, John 15:1-27, Matthew 9:35-38.

 

National Church Groups Engaged in Cross-Cultural Missions

From the individual to the church and then finally to the multi-church association, we encourage many national church groups and church associations to engaged in missions. We seek a culture of outward movement and self-sacrifice as a healthy part of a national church.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 2 Corinthians 9:10-12, Romans 10:15.

 

GLOBAL OBJECTIVES

COUNTRY SEARCH



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