|
 A Rwandan young man was in Belgium doing advanced training as a soldier in the Rwandan Army when the genocide in that African country began. He asked for political asylum and it was granted to him. He then became a student of Continental Theological Seminary (CTS) in Belgium. During his studies he was very active in a couple of different Rwandan church groups in Brussels, but since graduation has been on the pastoral staff of the largest of these churches. None of the pastors receive a salary, and so he works nights, handling baggage until 7:00 AM and then goes about his pastoral duties. There are several on the staff of this church of about 250-300 people, none of whom are paid and all who work, much as this CTS graduate does.
The church meets in what was formerly a brewery, a large, rather unattractive building that now hosts three African congregations; Rwandan, Congolese, and Ghanaian. There is a different kind of spirit flowing in this building now!
The people that make up the Rwandan congregation are almost all victims of war and genocide and have fled to Belgium, leaving behind all their possessions, and many times, family members. Probably there is not an individual in the group who has not suffered the loss of a loved one. The challenge before them now is to extend forgiveness to those who have caused them harm as they now meet together as one in the body of Christ.
This reality is repeated over and over as thousands of refugees have fled for their lives to Belgium to find political asylum. Upon arriving, those who were already Christian, begin to meet together and soon form a church, reaching out to their own people who are in a state of flux, despair, and transition. While it is difficult to count all the church groups that have begun in this way, the conservative estimate is that in the past ten years, close to 100 churches have sprung up throughout the city of Brussels!
Those young men who show leadership abilities and the evident spirit of the Lord upon them are singled out to become the pastors. Many of these have come through CTS for their training.
Information from Don Martin
AGWM Personnel in Belgium
|
