Thanks to your generosity, leaders in European countries like Belgium are finding community, mentorship, and biblical training to help them serve their churches more effectively.
Two of those leaders – Paul and Britney Vansteenkiste – have not only been blessed by your generosity, but are returning the blessing by serving on the planning and teaching teams of the European Worship Institute.
I wanted you to get to know Paul and Britney and hear their hearts for leaders in the Belgian church.
A Shared Enthusiasm for God
Paul and Britney count themselves blessed to be part of the four percent of Belgians who are evangelical Christians. In fact, both come from families who are first generation believers.
“My father was an atheist musician who turned to Christ and experienced miraculous healing from addiction,” said Paul. “And my mother was a traditional Catholic who felt there was more to God than she had been taught.”
Britney’s parents came to faith through American missionaries.
The two met at a youth camp and bonded over a shared enthusiasm for God and the church. They were married three years later
Breaking the Wall of Isolation
When Britney offered to organize a worship training event in 2016 that you helped make possible, she had no idea where that partnership would lead.
But since that event – which drew 90 leaders from Flemish churches across northern Belgium, Britney has served as a workshop teacher and vocalist at multiple European Worship Institute (EWI) events. She even recruited Paul to help teach and run sound.
“Belgium has a lot of small churches with fewer than 50 members,” says Britney. “Many of these have worship leaders who feel isolated and alone. Some have been put in the position of worship leader simply because they own a guitar or have had music lessons.”
“They serve the best they can, but they have no one to coach them or help carry the load,” continues Paul. “They long to connect to other musicians and experienced leaders who can advise them about music, organization and even teach them what biblical worship really is.”
Because of your generosity, team members like Paul and Britney can help change that. Through EWI training events, these leaders find encouragement, community, and hands-on training to deepen their worship ministries.
Your Generosity Paid Forward
Today, Paul and Britney enjoy serving on the planning and teaching team with other members from Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal and the USA.
“The relationships we’ve made with those on the teaching team are precious to us,” says Britney. “Everyone comes with a humble and serving heart and loves to coach leaders. The team serves like the body of Christ, and everyone has their place.”
Paul adds, “If someone feels like they’ve hit a wall in an area of worship – from exploring music styles to improving their congregational leading skills, EWI events are a place where that wall is brought down. You can walk in with your questions, and you’ll meet experienced leaders who can answer them!”
Because of You
These kinds of transformations are only possible because of you. Your generosity equips leaders, strengthens churches, and builds a lasting legacy of worship across Europe.
Thank you for making a difference!
Comments (0)