June ‘17 - Issue 66 - trimonthly magazine - P206948
R LPH Magazine of the Belgian Evangelical Mission
new approaches to mission p.4-5 the edith column p.6 ExpressĂŠ, new to bem p.6-7
editorial
Kurt Maeyens (Director BEM Flanders) and
God at work
The BEM is working on a new vision. At this exciting time we
Luc Salsac (Director BEM Wallonia) take it in turns to write the editorial.
So how can we take the Gospel to those around us?
want to be depending entirely on God as we consider how to reach Belgium with the Gospel. But in this context we
1. We need the touch of the Holy Spirit on us as believers,
can also make a few observations. I’ve noticed that, in the
and as a church. Acts 1 v.8:“But you will receive power when
churches, many questions are being asked about evangelism
the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness-
these days: how should we evangelise today? How can we
es...to the ends of the earth.” We need to step out in faith,
best communicate with a society that doesn’t know Jesus
to dare to go out into the world, and to become authentic
at all (or not yet)? When we meet people who react with
witnesses.
annoyance, disbelief or downright rejection, is evangelism
2. We need to find in God’s Word, the principles which show
still relevant? So increasingly, the church becomes a place
us how to reach the world. Matt. 28 v.19:“Therefore go and
where we meet like-minded people who share our world-
make disciples of all nations.” Our principal mission is clear:
view, where we can speak openly about our faith, have good
to make disciples and equip them to become witnesses and
discussions about anything and encourage each other. The
make disciples in their turn.
church has become a safe haven. There’s nothing wrong in
3. We need to look at the world around us through God’s
that, it’s understandable, but… little by little, the church
eyes. Matt. 9 v.36a:“When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He
becomes more concerned with its own internal functioning
had compassion on them.” God looks at a lost world with
than with its primary mission, which is to go out into the
compassion and so must we.
world. The church becomes like a fortress where we feel
4. Evangelism is not first and foremost about bringing peo-
safe, because we’re protected by other believers, but then
ple into the church, but about bringing the church and the
at the same time it’s also becoming a place those who are
Kingdom of God to people.
seeking don’t feel comfortable visiting. From time to time the drawbridge is lowered and we organise an evangelistic
O God, open our eyes so we can see You at work!
event, but afterwards that drawbridge is soon raised again.
And you, will you join us in this prayer?
RALPh MAGAZINE
refers to Ralph Norton. Ralph and his wife Edith founded the
Belgian Evangelical Mission in 1918. The BEM has a desire to bring the Gospel to the Belgian population.
COLO PH ON
This magazine keeps you posted on our work and our workers.
RALPH | 2
Editor Luc Salsac
Team Eunice Parodi - Ciara Goossens Kathy Oost - Jan Willem Vink
Contact Bd Lambermont, 158 1030 Brussels Tel: +32(0)2/241.30.15. E-mail: information@b-e-m.org Website: www.b-e-m.org Facebook: Belgian Evangelical Mission
news in brief
De Roemer and Zander, 25 years in the BEM
Baptism of children in Hoogstraten
A new pastoral couple for the Japanese Church
Charles and Frances de Roemer left
Over recent years in Hoogstraten, there’s
Yasuchi and Masaki Kawakami have just
Enfield (in north London) for Belgium
always been at least one child baptised
arrived at the Japanese BEM mission post
in 1992. They describe their 25 years
in their baptismal services. The latest
in Brussels. They left Nagano where they
of ministry here as an extraordinary
service was exceptional when Nikiwe,
already had a pastoral ministry, to travel to
experience, with its share of highs
Jo-Anne and Michaëlla were all baptised.
Belgium along with their four cats, Tob, Ca-
and lows. And Eric and Anne Zander
The church has about 80 members, of
ris, Faith and Shin. “We thank the BEM for
joined the BEM 26 years ago. Many
whom 50 attend on a Sunday. “It’s a real
helping us in our ministry and we’re glad
thanks to all four of you for your hard
encouragement to be able to say that
to be working in an organisation founded
work and dedication. We hope to be
more and more younger couples with
on prayer and mutual support.” At the mo-
able to continue to profit from your
children, about ten couples at present,
ment the Japanese Church includes just 10
talents for years to come.
are finding their way to the church,” says
adults, but the group will soon be increa-
Pastor Corneel Crezée.
sing in size –watch this space!
RALPH, the new BEM magazine
Annual General Meeting 2017
The winds of change are blowing through the BEM and
We’re praising the Lord for our Annual General Mee-
have reached the Public Relations Department. We pre-
ting. Not only did it go well, but the reports showed
sent to you RALPH the new BEM magazine. In order
us that God is still at work in Belgium. There are trials
to keep you up to date with more of our news, we’ve
and struggles it’s true, but there are also many bles-
decided to double the number of pages, and include
sings. The question of finances is never easy, but we
contributions from BEM-ers as well as from those out-
have a God who provides. We are, of course, legally
side the mission. Each edition will include an editorial,
obliged to hold an A.G.M, but this is also a good op-
news in brief, a leading article, an interview, the Edith
portunity for us all to see God’s faithfulness.
column and other good things. RALPH will appear every three months.
RALPH | 3
HOW DO WE CARRY OUT THE COMMAND TO GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES
IN
THE
CONTEXT
OF BELGIUM TODAY? IN THIS POST-CHRISTIAN FRESH
THINKING
CULTURE,
IS
NEEDED
TO
REACH PEOPLE WITH THE ‘GOOD NEWS’? THE BEM HAS NOW PUT IN PLACE A STRATEGY TEAM IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. IN THIS EDITION WE INTERVIEW THREE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM: ERIC ZANDER, BEM CHURCH PLANTER IN WALLONIA, NATHANAËL
WINSTON,
A post-Christian society demands new approaches to mission
INDEPENDENT
CHURCH PLANTER IN BRUSSELS, AND FILIP DE CAVEL, COORDINATOR OF THE ECV DENOMINATION IN FLANDERS. BEM. And of course, I can benefit from greatest handicap at the present time.
their experience to keep me informed
For ordinary Belgians, religion and the
of what’s happening on the ground
Christian faith are just not an issue.
and what’s working.
So our challenge is how to begin to
My dream is that we might experi-
catch the attention of people who are
ence real freedom in Jesus, our Sal-
not so much anti-religious, as deter-
vation, without being limited to one
minedly non religious. More and more
method, one organisation, or any in-
people just don’t care about religion.
stitution, and that more people might
Any references to religion are carefully
experience this freedom. Let’s be
“It’s important to keep on thinking
weeded out. In talking to people we
willing to go beyond the walls of our
about missionary vision: each genera-
have to start by explaining who Jesus
little churches and open our minds to
tion has to find the best approach. We
is. Familiarity with concepts such as
what’s happening around us, to the
put the command: ‘Go and make disci-
‘Easter’ or ‘apostle’ can no longer
people around us, to other Christians
ples’ into practice in choosing certain
be taken for granted. Christians will
and their ministries. If we open up our
ways of working. And that’s where
need to talk about what they believe,
field of vision we’ll see God at work.”
we’ll find differences of approach. The
but in a new way, not as we did 20
country you’re living in, your personal-
years ago when the Christian faith was
ity, what your church is like and which
still part of the landscape.
generation you’re from – all these will
To help with this process of reflexion,
have a big impact. It’s not straight-for-
the BEM has called on some Christians
ward because there are so many fac-
from outside the Mission, of whom
“I’m leading an ‘alternative’ Christian
tors to take into account.
I’m one. In my position as ECV coor-
community in Gembloux. Technically
That’s why organisations such as the
dinator and as a teacher, I see a lot of
I’m a church planter, but actually, I’ve
BEM must continue to think about the
the changes going on in Flanders. So
used the plant as an opportunity to
context for mission today.
I believe I can help the strategy team
experiment with other ways of doing
It seems to me that the rampant sec-
avoid just going round in circles in
church today. A diversity of strategies
ularisation of Belgian society is our
their search for a new vision for the
in missionary work is often seen as
The man from Flanders Filip de Cavel
RALPH | 4
The man from Wallonia Eric Zander
valuable, but experience shows that
The Christian community where I
not all approaches are equally rele-
work in Brussels is looking for people
vant. It’s important for an organisation
who are open to the Gospel. We began
to have a clear strategic missionary vi-
with groups meeting in homes, and
sion. On the one hand, our limited re-
from the start our aim was to create a
sources mean we mustn’t waste time.
church that would be open to all. To-
On the other, 99% of the Belgian pop-
day we meet together in order to grow
ulation is lost, not knowing the Good
in our lives as disciples of Jesus. The
News of Jesus. And even if patience
birth of our church happened sponta-
and perseverance almost always pro-
neously.
duce some result, whatever method is
My wife Annette and I went through a
used, the harvest needs to be brought
time of upheaval in our lives as church
in now, so we don’t have time to
planters when launching our so-
waste in inefficiency. It’s time to real-
cio-cultural centre ‘The Catalpa’. Our
ise that we need to stop hoping that
aim was literally to put the Word into
more fruit will come when we have
practice. Apart from sharing the Gos-
more resources, more missionaries, or more money. We must dare to innovate, not because what we’re doing is wrong, but in order to be more relevant and better adapted to the world of today. Belgium today is not like the Belgium of our forebears, but there are still fantastic opportunities for the Gospel. Our world is looking for really good news. The coming together of today’s open social context and the BEM re-thinking its strategy offers us a historic opportunity. God is already at work renewing His Church and reaching out to this lost world. I hope that the strategy committee will seize the moment. It’s a privilege for me to be part of it. My dream is not to give birth to a great missionary organisation, but to initiate a movement of relevant Christian communities in order to make disciples of Jesus who will share what they’ve received with those around
Norton speak about their missionary work in Belgium. Leaving sunny California behind they worked with the BEM for forty years. In their turn my parents, George and Dora Winston, also worked with the Mission for many years. When I was small, the BEM was a normal part of my everyday life. Over time, missiology has broadened and now takes into account other disciplines such as sociology and anthropology. But it begins with this question – how can we carry out the great commission of Jesus using His methods? The Gospels and Acts are bursting with universally applicable examples of how to make disciples of all nations. Our contemporary strategies
pel, we could now go further in trying to meet the needs of our neighbours. In this way we’re investing in longterm relationships in the community. In two years’ time, the BEM will be celebrating its centenary, and it’s good to consider the path already travelled. In putting in place this strategy team, the BEM is aiming to affirm its vision and renew its strength. The prejudices of post-Christian society and humanist thinking constitute a considerable challenge to us. However the Gospel is the power of God to salvation. Jesus has given us His Word and, by His Spirit we have all we need to begin an innovative work in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.”
need to be measured by this standard. (From left to right: Filip, Nathanaël and Eric)
them. In this way our influence will spread far beyond our borders.”
The man from Brussels Nathanaël Winston “In 1920, my grand-parents, John and Grace Winston, heard Ralph and Edith RALPH | 5
The Edith Column
Ciara Goossens
Before I come to the choice of a name for this magazine, just a recap for new readers: Ralph and Edith Norton were the founders of the Belgian Evangelical Mission (1919), the organisation that publishes the magazine you have in front of you. As my friends know, I’m a bit of a feminist at heart. However, it was actually me who came up with the suggestion ‘Ralph’ when we needed a name for this new magazine. I suppose that name puts some of you off, because after all, how could Ralph Norton have started the BEM without his wife? Well, I got to know Edith by reading her journal ‘Ralph Norton and the Belgian Gospel Mission*,’ and I believe that a tribute to Edith is due at this point. Born Edith Fox in Iowa in 1881, she was an extraordinary woman, a gifted musician who taught music and singing. During the First World War, she took on the role of mother to the Belgian soldiers on leave in England, corresponding regularly with them and sending them food parcels. The Queen of Belgium esteemed her highly for her work. She supported Ralph with her better mastery of French, and she ran the Mission in Europe for months at a time when he was in the USA raising funds. She encouraged large numbers of men and women through evangelistic meetings. After the death of her husband she carried on as co-director of the Mission. She was a woman of character, energetic and highly intelligent. Her journal and autobiography were written in homage to her husband. I don’t think she would have minded us calling this magazine ‘RALPH,’ I think she would even have been enthusiastic about it. And because it would be ungrateful for us to minimise her role in any way, we’re dedicating this column to all the Ediths among us – an opportunity for the ladies of the BEM to express their ideas and (why not?) share them with their male colleagues. *this was the original name of the B.E.M.
RALPH | 6
new to bem ‘Before, I was always in a hurry and under pressure, whereas now I’m not so hurried; I’m an ‘ex-pressured’ person (who also happens to like espresso coffee.)’ Formerly a photographer and then a language teacher, Geneviève has been a BEM missionary since 2002. At first, she worked in our Public Relations Department, before joining the church-planting team in Binche. In 2013, came burn-out. This enforced halt gave her the opportunity to work through various personal issues, and at the same time God confirmed the café project that she’d been praying about for 10 years. So let’s meet this determined little lady to find out more. Geneviève, would you like a coffee?
pressé won’t be a place where Christians come along and
Yes, please. A double espresso, no milk or sugar, perhaps with
button-hole people who aren’t yet believers. There’s such a
just a hint of hazelnut.
yawning gap between our churches and today’s society, and I believe our café can be a link between these two worlds.
So what is ‘Expressé’?
Now, if we jump in with references to the Gospel in the first
Expressé will be a place in the centre of Gosselies (Charleroi),
five minutes, we risk frightening them off and then everyone
a haven where people can begin to sense the perfume of
ends up frustrated. I believe there is a place for this kind of
Christ (with a hint of coffee in the air). Over the years, when
evangelism - but not in Expressé. Our aim is to season our
I tried to bring my non-Christian friends to church, I often
conversations with ‘salt’ and thus build long-term relation-
realized I was asking too much of them. But going to a café
ships. You don’t put a pound of salt onto a small piece of meat.
for a chat would be a great alternative. I believe the gift of evangelism can be expressed in different ways. Some choose
How can I help this project?
direct confrontation, even with those they’ve never met be-
All financial support (for building renovations, start-up costs,
fore, whilst others (of whom I’m one), prefer developing a re-
etc.) is channeled through the BEM. Visit the website www.
lationship through which they can, over time, point to the
expresse.org/crowdfunding for suggestions of several advan-
difference faith makes. I think many of those who go to pubs
tageous ways to donate, depending on the size of your gift.
and bars to drink alcohol are actually looking for some kind
If you’re interested in joining the team, come and have a chat
of community. They’ll find that in Expressé, (without the alco-
to see if we’re on the same wave-length. Depending on your
hol!) because our main aim is to meet other people and build
talents, you could perhaps organize an activity (eg pottery,
long-term relationships where possible. During my burn-out,
gardening, foreign language classes). Or just come along,
I understood the need for space: to be able to face issues
drink a coffee and smile at people– they’re all ways of partic-
and think things through on my own. I’d like to offer this to
ipating in the Expressé vision.
all who feel the need to withdraw into a ‘bubble’ sometimes where they can catch their breath. In Expressé you’ll also be
And finally, what’s on the menu at Expressé?
encouraged to be creative through artistic, or cultural activi-
We’ll be offering Chorti Fair Trade Coffee - so every sale will
ties, or just trying something for fun.
also be doing some good on the other side of the world. In addition there’ll be the Italian varieties – Cappuccino, Macchia-
A Christian café, there’s nothing new in that. There
to, Americano; our vitamin smoothies, (a guaranteed healthy
were already coffee bars in the 80s.
option), an assortment of original teas and also our soup bar.
Personally I never went to any of those coffee bars. But Ex-
www.expresse.org >> Read full interview on www.b-e-m.org RALPH | 7
Our principles, our vision and our finances
VACANCIES Employee for Expressé
We are, above all,
Coffee shop ministry in French-speaking Belgium
a ‘faith mission’; this
• full-time or part-time position
means that in our ministry
• a passion to share the Good News through
we’re dependent on the gifts of those
serving others and offering a listening ear
who support us financially and in prayer. We,
• plenty of variety guaranteed
as the BEM, don’t spend funds that we don’t have. This sometimes leads to difficult decisions, but it has helped us over the years to maintain a healthy financial situation.
Project Manager – missionary projects Marketing Manager/Fund-raising
A visionary organisation
Accountant
Vision and finance can be seen as diametrically opposed. Over the years, the BEM has known many occasions when God has given a
FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE VACANCIES OR OTHER OPENINGS MAY BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.B-E-M.ORG OR ON 00 32 2 2413015
vision and has confirmed it with the necessary finance at the right moment. And there have been other occasions when the money only started coming in once the project was up and running. Where vision and principles meet The BEM is at a stage when we know we must embrace change. I’m thinking of our new projects such as ‘Expressé’ – which Geneviève Bouvy tells us about in this magazine – but also, for example, our BEM centenary that we’re celebrating in 2019 by initiating 100 new missionary projects. We can only remain a faith mission if there are
people who stand behind us with steadfast prayer and faithful giving ; people who, like us, have a vision for Belgium. At the moment, just to take one example, we’re looking for 250 people to make a special gift of 100 Euros this year to support our work (either as a one-off gift, or in monthly instalments). Could you be one of them? Please send your special gift labelled ‘BEM/100years’.
support us
CAF Bank 25, Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ Account: Belgian Evangelical Mission PO Box 617 Epsom, Surrey KT17 9JQ Sort Code 40 52 40 Account number 00008831