All articles in category Belgium
By Roger Cook
April 2001
Belgium
Missionary Spotlight
If you blink, you’ll miss it!’ At least that may be the impression of many who pass through Belgium on their way to somewhere more exciting. However, this little country no bigger than Wales has one of the highest population densities in Europe, with over ten million inhabitants. Yet the divisions among these people are so deep-rooted that most sections of society are affected, even in the struggling churches where one could hope for something better. For many, Belgium is a ‘Christian’ land, but even the strong Roman Catholic denomination is losing ground at an alarming rate. Its 15% of regular churchgoers is shrinking year...
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By Michael Robinson
May 2000
Belgium
Missionary Spotlight – Belgium
Eeklo Evangelical Church The Eeklo Evangelical Church was founded in 1980 by Pastor Jacobus De Feyter from the Netherlands. He, his wife and six children had moved ‘just down the road’ into Belgium, an expression betraying the fact that Eeklo (a town of about 20,000 inhabitants) lies near the Dutch border. They began gospel services in various locations in the town. Within a few years a congregation of about thirty adults was gathered, and the nucleus of a settled work seemed to be in place. However, in the late eighties and early nineties, numerical decline set in. The death of some elderly members, the...
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May 2000
Belgium
Missionary Spotlight – Belgium — Fact File
Government: A federal, parliamentary democracy, under a constitutional monarch (King Albert II). Neighbouring countries: Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France. Brussels is the headquarters of NATO and the EU. Area: 11,787 square miles. Environment: A temperate, moist climate. There are low-lying, coastal plains in the north-west and highlands (the Ardennes Forest) in the south-east. About one fifth of Belgium is covered by forest. Marine flooding is a threat in the reclaimed coastal areas (polders). High population density; 97% urbanisation, and intensive farming and industry, all cause pollution problems. Population: 10 million. Life expectancy: 78 years. Ethnic groups: Fleming 55%; Walloon 33%; other 12%. Languages: Flemish 57%;...
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By Michael Robinson
May 2000
Belgium
Missionary Spotlight – Belgium
The traveller strolled along the road looking for some sign of life. Finally he met a casually dressed man coming in the other direction. ‘Excuse me, sir,’ said the traveller, ‘could you tell me which country this is?’ ‘Belgium’, replied the man, looking rather bemused, perhaps wondering why the question should be asked at all. ‘Ah, then that means I have crossed the border’, exclaimed the traveller. ‘What sort of country is Belgium?’ ‘Well, if you are travelling around for a while there is plenty to see. There are charming towns, gorgeous scenery, art galleries, museums, war cemeteries, and then there is our coastline. Oh,...
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