November 2 - No Longer Lonely in Brussels

Summary

The video highlights Brussels as the 'Capital of Europe,' emphasizing its diverse population and the growing secular community. Missionary Ricardo Pereira launched a Portuguese-speaking church plant to address this challenge, partnering with the Global Mission Center for Secular and Post-Christian Mission. The story features Ana Luisa, a lonely fashion consultant who found community and faith through the church, ultimately preparing for baptism. The church aims to establish an English-speaking congregation to serve the city's significant English-speaking population, inviting prayers for this mission and emphasizing God's involvement in addressing these challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brussels is known as the 'Capital of Europe' due to the presence of the European Parliament.
• 🌍 The city has a population of 1.2 million, including 5,000 diplomats from various countries.
• 🤝 Brussels is the second most cosmopolitan city in the world, reflecting its diverse demographic.
• 🕊️ Ricardo Pereira, a Brazilian missionary, established a Portuguese-speaking church to address the needs of the secular population.
• 📖 The church plant focuses on reaching out to the growing secular and post-Christian demographic in Brussels.
• ❤️ Ana Luisa, a fashion consultant from Portugal, found community and love at the church after feeling isolated in the city.
• 🙏 Ana Luisa has transformed her life through the church, starting to pray and preparing for baptism.
• 🌐 The church aims to start an English-speaking congregation to serve the over half a million English speakers in Brussels.
• 🤗 Ricardo has recruited Adventist volunteer Eliezer Oliveira to assist with the English congregation's establishment.
• 📅 The Global Mission Center encourages prayer for outreach efforts, emphasizing that these challenges align with God's plans.

Q & A

Why is Brussels referred to as the 'Capital of Europe'?

Brussels is called the 'Capital of Europe' because it is home to the European Parliament.

What demographic challenge did Ricardo Pereira identify in Brussels?

Ricardo Pereira recognized that a significant secular and post-Christian population was being overlooked in the city.

What was Ricardo's approach to reaching out to the secular population?

Ricardo felt the need to try something different and started a Portuguese-speaking church plant to engage with the secular population.

Who did Ricardo partner with to better understand the secular demographic?

Ricardo partnered with the Global Mission Center for Secular and Post-Christian Mission.

How did Ana Luisa's experience at the church impact her life?

Ana Luisa felt welcomed and loved at the church, which transformed her life; she started praying and has committed her heart to Jesus.

What change did Ana Luisa experience since attending the church?

Ana Luisa no longer feels lonely and has made friends, and she is preparing for baptism.

What future plans does the church plant have?

The church plant plans to start an English-speaking congregation to address one of the city's biggest challenges.

Why is starting an English-speaking congregation important in Brussels?

Brussels has a large number of English speakers, with more than half a million people communicating in English, making it essential to cater to this demographic.

Who is Eliezer Oliveira and what is his role in the church plant?

Eliezer Oliveira is an Adventist volunteer who will be relocating to Brussels to support the church plant after working in chaplaincy in Washington, DC.

What is the prayer focus of the Global Mission Center for this year?

The prayer focus is to support church planting efforts in Brussels and to reach the hearts of those who do not yet know God.