Belgium

Mission District

Organized Free Methodist Churches: 1
FMC Membership: 53
Ordained Ministers: 3
Ministerial Candidates: 1

Origins

“Help us start a Free Methodist Church!” was the plea that came from Filipino women who had recently moved to Oostende, Belgium. This request soon turned into the formal organization of the church in Oostende. At the same time, an immigrant group from Central Africa was organizing a church in Brussels. Up to their retirement, missionaries Lucien and Molly Behar worked with these churches.

The Filipino/Belgian/multi-ethnic group held their first morning worship service in Oostende on March 24, 2002. Maritess Janssens was instrumental in forming this group. Maritess is the sister-in-law of Jim Tuan, FM bishop to the Philippines.

The second group, Central Africans residing in Brussels, held their first public worship service and banquet on October 27, 2002, with United Kingdom Superintendent Allan Ellershaw and Lucien and Molly Behar. This church is being led by Rev. Siméon Rutazihana, an ordained elder from Rwanda.

Present Ministries

The Free Methodist Church in Belgium is registered with the government. The work became an official FM mission district in a celebration service on January 31, 2004.