FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
AND DUANE & PENNY'S ANSWERS
Q: Why Belgium?
A: Because very few Belgians have an assurance of their salvation in Christ (1 John 5:11-13).
And because people without assurance of salvation typically don't know the abundant or
victorious life Christ spoke of (John 10:10). And probably most importantly, because
Almighty God deserves to be honored by each of His creatures (Psalm 96:3-6; Rom. 1:25).
We honor God, or bring Him glory, when we believe in Him and the saving work of His Son
Jesus. We also honor Him when we trust Him in our personal lives, walking by His Spirit
each day.
Q: What does your work consist of?
A: We began as interns with DeBron Evangelical Church (Evangelisch Centrum De Bron) in
Zwijnaarde. The internship consists of a period of language learning while also getting to
know our mutual abilities, burdens and fit. Through small groups (CELL groups) we will
team up to expand the discipleship and witness of local believers, as well as the growth and
vision of the church body. 2200 out of Belgium's 2500 townships are said to be without a
gospel teaching witness. Therefore the long-range purpose is to work for local growth so that
this and other churches can intentionally divide. That way new congregations in new
communities can begin to meet for worship, growth and service ministries.
Q: How long will you be gone?
A: We plan to return for a visit to the Midwest the summer of 2002. Normally we plan to take
terms of two or three years depending on the stage the boys are at in school and the condition
of the ministry. We are here as career church planters, meaning we plan to carry on this
cycle unless the Lord clearly leads otherwise.
Q: What language do you speak?
A: Flemish, a dialect of Dutch.
Q: What kind of school do your boys attend?
A: Our boys attend our local community school in Zwijnaarde, about a 10 block bike ride
away. We thank God for encouraging and patient teachers for the boys' first years.
Q: When are your birthdays and anniversary?
A: Duane 5/27; Penny 3/27; Austin 1/23/92; Micah 4/2/94; Landon 2/5/97. Anniversary 6/3/89.
Q: Duane, what are your personal spiritual experiences?
A: When I was a young boy, my parents explained how God loved us so much that He was
willing to send Christ His Son to die for me. Then God raised Jesus from the dead proving
Christ has the victory over Satan, sin and death. When I understood the work Christ had
completed, I was ready to believe and put my trust in Him for my own salvation (Romans
10:9-10). When I was 15 I investigated the Scriptures and was amazed by the character and
purposes of God. It was at this time I came to a renewed point of surrender to anything God
wanted. I had the opportunity to graduate from Grace University of Omaha, Nebraska, in
Bible and music. Then I had the privilege of serving as a youth pastor and child counselor
until moving here to Belgium.
Q: Penny, what is your testimony?
A: I also accepted Christ as my Savior, while just a young girl, with the help of my mother
and grandmother. In junior high I experienced many doubts about salvation and forgiveness
but again received the guidance of my mother who showed me the promises of the Scriptures.
I graduated form Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a degree in teaching and
coaching. I have had the opportunity of supervising youth groups and working with ministries
in Mexico and Western Europe.
Q: Does Belgium need new ministries?
A. Belgium is among the nations of the world with the lowest percentage of people who
believe Jesus is the one and only Savior, hold that salvation is secured by faith alone, and
trust the Bible to be God's supreme authority for matters of life and faith. We have been
invited by the local Evangelical Free Church denomination of Belgium to join them in their
ministry of church planting.
Q: What motivation is there for serving in ministry like this?
A: The primary motivation is to increase the worship given to God, by bringing more people
to faith in Christ. The practical motivation is to obey God's command to "make disciples of
all nations." The personal motivation is to bring people the freedom God has intended for
them: freedom from fear of eternal separation from God, freedom to know for sure they will
go to heaven, freedom of forgiveness from sin and guilt, freedom from the control of habits or
powers (John 8:36), and freedom to discover a fresh purpose for living.
Q: Why not leave other peoples or nations alone?
A: Besides the above reasons, the other is because Christ never did. His example and
commands show us we are compelled to share His message of salvation and victory, out of
love for Him and His people.
Q: What should we pray about?
A: Thank you for praying! These two scripture prayers are key:
From Ephesians 6:19-20, "Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be
given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an
ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
From Philippians 1:9-10, "I pray that your love may increase more and more in real
knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order
to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ..."
Q: What does Belgium look like?
A: Gent is in the northern, Flemish-speaking half of Belgium called Flanders. Flanders
consists largely of flat land or rolling hills. Belgium is one of the most densely populated
countries of the world, yet small farms are interspersed everywhere, especially in Flanders.
The southern region is French-speaking and called Wallonia. The Ardennes region in the southeast is similar to the Black Hills of South Dakota.
All four seasons are seen in a typical year, but the weather is moderated significantly by the North Sea.
Belgium has had a colorful and varied history and is sometimes called the "Capital" of Western Europe because of the many international organizations headquartered here.