Belgium

Belgium is a difficult country due to indifference toward the Gospel. With a history of government providing all the peoples needs, absorbing the brunt of the people's wrath when those needs are not met, and the relative affluence of the culture, this country has a distorted view of a loving God. This highly secularized society demands new approaches. United World Mission's long-standing work is working to preserve the inroads made as well as developing and transitioning to meet these new challenges. Our goals are to train lay leadership in theology so that mobilization of the rank and file of existing churches can cause a greater ripple effect. In addition, we are working to field a new type of team whose focus will be the emerging generation. Our dream is that these new church models, once developed, will be able to be exported to other Western European countries that are deeply lost and post-Christian. This team will then become a regional resource team.

United World Mission is actively working to field additional personal into this country as well as developing needed partnerships to complete field projects.

Daniel & Myriam
Kids: Mical, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Joel & Timothy

I (Daniel), born to missionary parents Samuel and Denise, was born in England and raised in Belgium. Having accepted Christ at age 14 I couldn't find a better way to make my life count than to invest it in missions. Having completed my training at Columbia International University and sensing a call to serve in Belgium, I joined United World Mission in 1980. In 1983 Myriam joined UWM, the vision for Belgium and the ministry when we were married.

We are ministering in Belgium and are seeking to establish a church planting center based in a local church as well as several training programs for lay people, lay leaders and local church planters. As the Area Director of Western Europe, we both provide oversight for all the ministries of United World Mission in Western Europe. We are seeking to analyze the needs of each of the countries, envision how UWM could meet these needs and see that all UWM missionaries are involved in strategic ministries.

Amy

Personal Website

I am working with outreach and disciple the Belgian youth. I was raised in Modesto , CA , along with a younger brother. I graduated from the University of California, Davis with my Bachelor of Arts in English.

I became a Christian when I was nine. Being a missionary was nowhere on my "To Be" list when I became an adult. However, God got my attention when I participated in a children's project in inner city Los Angeles when I was in high school. It was not until I graduated from college that God completely captured my heart for missions.

Although most of my experience comes from college, I got my "start" in high school. In my church youth group, I was a small group leader to a group of girls. In college, I had a wide-range of ministry participation. I was a part of the Transfer Student Ministry, which outreached to new transfer students. I was also a part of a team that planned Large Group gatherings, as well as organized retreats. My favorite experience was being a Bible Study leader. To round out my experience, I now help in a tweenage girl's class. I am excited to see what God has planned for me in Belgium.

Brent & Daisy

Personal Website

In May of 2003, God called me to the nations.  My college friends, my now-husband Brent, and I flew from our culinary school in New York to the One Day Passion Conference in Sherman, Texas.  We camped out on a huge field with thousands of other college kids.  At one point a missionary came on the stage to speak—her name was Heather Mercer.  She spoke with passion for her work and conviction for the Great Commission.  God had me there that day so I could hear His call.  Heather said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…I challenge you today to stand if you feel this is something God is putting on your life…”  I stood.  I didn’t fully understand at the time what it all meant, but a great passion was placed in my heart that day.  I wanted to help the world know who Christ is and to live for Him.

In the fall of 2004, we returned home to Charlotte, North Carolina, engaged, and eager to plan our wedding.  We got married in March of 2005.  About a year into our marriage, in January 2006, God started to poke at me again and told me I couldn’t keep ignoring His call on my life.  Our life was very enjoyable and comfortable in Charlotte, and it seemed like a big step to give up everything and go.  Brent and I discussed what God was calling us to as a couple, and it seemed exciting, but scary.  So we prayed and researched.  We were put in touch with UWM first and looked no further.  We were given our options of places we could go with Expedition 237 since we didn’t feel called to a specific field.  Brent wanted to go to Thailand, and I wanted to go to France.  Soon, France was taken out of the picture, but we were given the option of a new field in Belgium.  So began the months of praying, meetings with area directors, and talking with one another.  We couldn’t come to a clear decision; I honestly didn’t feel Thailand was where we were called. One day in June 2006, Brent just came up to me and said, “I feel like Belgium is where God wants us.”  I was so surprised and relieved because I knew my heart had not been wrong, but was patient in waiting for a clear answer from God.  We decided Belgium would be our field because of the opportunity for youth sports ministry that we will be able to do there.  Although, we will miss the great Thai food, we are both confident that God has called us to do His work in Belgium and are looking forward to being there this August.

Lindsey

Personal Website

I was born in Oklahoma, but raised in Houston, Texas.  I became a Christian in 1999, while on an evangelical mission trip to New York City.  I attended the University of Texas at Austin where I earned my B.A. in Art History.  As part of my Art History degree I was required to take five semesters of French which it was difficult for me.  During that time I really sensed that God had a purpose for my struggles.    It was then that I really felt God calling me into missions and ministry as I became actively involved with a church plant in Austin and developed relationships with other artists in school.   It was confirmed after taking a missions trip in March 2005 to Southeast Asia.

I knew God wanted to use my French, my love of art and my heart for Europe to serve Him.   I took my time researching and exploring where and with who God wanted me to serve overseas.  After waiting patiently on His direction, He lead me to the opportunity in Belgium and United World Mission.  It was the perfect combination.  He has given me a huge heart for post-modern youth and a desire to work amongst artists.   I desire for youth to encounter the presence of a loving and gracious God who desires to have a relationship with them.    

Kevin

The story of how God brought me to United World Mission is an interesting one.  Half way through my first year of college, I was reading CT Studd’s biography. Disappointed that my walk with the Lord looked nothing like his, I prayed and asked God if He couldn’t make my life one that counted eternally.  I felt like God told me if I just followed and trusted Him, He could and would. 

At the end of the second semester I went back home and moved in with my friend Rich who the Lord used to bring me to Himself.  The following February I went with him on a vision trip to Europe that included a week with UWM and the team they were assembling for Expedition 237.  Originally I was not supposed to be there, but because of miscommunication, they thought I was Rich’s literal brother and allowed me to tag along. 

During that time I spoke with the infamous Mark and Daniel duo.  Based on John 13 where it talks about the world will know we are His by our love for one another, they thought it would be good for me to join the team.  They thought that through the church’s patience with me, the community might see something of the Lord.  So, at the end of the week they asked me to consider joining them and here I am working in Belgium with Expedition237!

April

I am an appointee to Belgium to work with an amazing team to develop Postmodern Youth & College Ministry in a Post-Christian World!  I grew up in Exeter, Missouri and received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geology from the University of Missouri. I recently graduated with my Master of Divinity from Golden Gate Seminary.

I have had many experiences that have prepared me for this ministry. I have served as a youth ministry volunteer. I was a College Minister in the Northwest, which is the least churched region in the US. I also, worked with both youth and college ministries as the promotions director for a Christian Radio Station in the Bay Area.

I have served as a missionary in several settings. First, as a summer missionary for a local association, then as a member of a state camp team. When I graduated from college, I knew I wanted to do a short term missions stint, so I served as a semester missionary with the North American Mission Board as a College Minister. I then served as a summer missionary in Malta before I left for seminary. As soon as I graduated, I knew that I wanted to go back overseas for a longer time to serve God with my talents and gifts.