Since late Friday (when I arrived in Brussels from Cairo) I have been visiting churches and new planting initiatives with Jeroen Tuinstra (leader of Adventist churches in Belgium and Luxembourg) and church planting coordinator, Rudy Dingjan. We have shared with a church that has birthed new churches – and 5 planting initiatives –<\/p>\n
1. Antwerp church: has supported language plants over some years – and is again host to a new international church plant.
\n2. Antwerp International church: When I visited last this church plant was overflowing with people. It has started again, having now multiplied.
\n3. Antwerp Ghanian church: This became the largest group in the international church – and is now intentionally planting among Ghanians.
\n4. Antwerp South plant: From the pain of conflict with the mother church some years ago, Antwerp Zuid is focused upon reaching new people.<\/p>\n
The main Antwerp church has the potential to encourage other plants, house and simple churches. Their growing experience in fostering new initiatives could make this a planting hub (Acts 19:1-10). We think of such a church as a ‘grandmother church’ – releasing and affirming, encouraging and blessing. (The ‘mother church’ metaphor can have the connotations of control!)<\/p>\n
5. Charleroi church plant. Although only a small church, the members have recognized that they must relate to relational streams with whom key members are connected. A small team has formed, believers who have wide connections – and they are inviting friends to join them for meals, and now times of worship. A new church is emerging in the town – as new people become disciples!
\n6. Russiophone church plant: A dedicated team of 10 believers from a mix of Russian speaking countries are connecting with friends to introduce them to Jesus and faith. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Since late Friday (when I arrived in Brussels from Cairo) I have been visiting churches and new planting initiatives with Jeroen Tuinstra (leader of Adventist churches in Belgium and Luxembourg) and church planting coordinator, Rudy Dingjan. We have shared with a church that has birthed new churches – and 5 planting initiatives – 1. Antwerp… Continue reading