The Beginning
What do chocolate, lace, diamonds, micro-brews, and the European Union have in common? All of these are found in Belgium.
The Goen family has been on an incredible journey here in Tennessee over the last several months and we love every moment. Amy is in her fifth year teaching fourth grade at Providence Christian Academy. Jordan is fourteen years old and a freshman at PCA. Peyton is twelve years old and entering the seventh grade and his younger brother Evan is ten years old and heading toward the fifth grade. We have all begun learning French recently in anticipation for our next step with God.
God has called our family to move to Belgium to help plant a reproducing sending church that will reach Western Europe for the glory of God. Our church is sending us to the land of chocolate, lace, diamonds, and beer to live and teach what a growing and reproducing relationship with Christ looks like in a Western European culture. Our family is excited about what God has done in our own lives and in our church. There are four other families who are following God’s call to plant their families in Belgium as part of our team.
Belgium is considered a Catholic country. Over 90% of the people consider themselves non-practicing Catholics and rarely attend any religious services of any kind. Evangelical Christianity is virtually non-existent in the southern region of Belgium. In the city of Namur, which will be a target city in south Belgium, there is one evangelical church. The church consists of 25 Congolese refugees in a city with over 100,000 people. Our entry point into Belgium will be the city of Brussels where we will begin to minister.
LifePoint Church, where I serve, is our sending church. We are being sent as church planters to represent Christ, our church, and you, our family and friends. Please pray with us as we seek to obediently follow the call of God for our lives.
24/07/2009 at 6:14 am Permalink
Wow! Big Big news… I'm speechless and in awe of God who calls you to go and risk and learn and grow.
We'll be praying for you. No more visits with you in TN–now that will be hard.
24/07/2009 at 6:29 am Permalink
Jim,
This is one of the reasons why I have been trying to get in touch with you for a while.
26/07/2009 at 4:05 pm Permalink
We are so proud of you and your family. I know this was lot of prayer and waiting and I know that God will bless you richly. God bless you, Amy and your precious children. I pray that that 90% can be altered by your ministries there.
Sincerely,
Doris White
29/07/2009 at 6:01 am Permalink
We are so thankful that the Lord led you guys to Smyrna so our paths could cross, and we are continually praying for your family as you take the next step in following Him. It will be an amazing journey!
29/07/2009 at 1:01 pm Permalink
We are so thankful that the Lord led you guys to Smyrna so our paths could cross, and we are continually praying for your family as you take the next step in following Him. It will be an amazing journey!
29/07/2009 at 3:39 pm Permalink
Thanks Laura. We are really excited and still have several months before we leave.
29/07/2009 at 3:39 pm Permalink
Thanks!