Belgium
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Three FM congregations meet in Belgium. In Oostende a multicultural congregation includes Filipino, Belgian and Ghanaian members. The Brussels group is comprised mainly of Central Africans. Missionaries Richard and Sheila Dickinson have begun a ministry among the Latinos and youth in Oostende and the surrounding area. They were then joined by Michael and Carrie Hamley, who assisted with Spanish language and international ministries.
Visit the latest news on the Dickinsons' blog here.
Dick and Sheila Dickinson have been on assignment in Belgium since April 2009. For the last three years they have been sharing their faith with new friends, equipping youth and adult leaders from five different nations for ministry, dedicating babies, leading people to the Lord, planting the Nueva Esperanza Free Methodist Church, conducting several outreach events and establishing a Bible study in a neighboring city. The Dickinsons have also been struggling with Belgium's government over taxing their U.S. income. The Dickinsons say, "The government has forced a difficult decision - stay and continue to pay between $10,000 to $11,000 a year more in income tax to the Belgian government or leave trusting that God will take care of His church. After much prayer and seeking wise counsel, we have decided it is best to return to the states in early 2012." As of April 1 2012, Dick and Sheila will begin pastoring the Colville (WA) Free Methodist Church in America.
Jackie Barbier and his wife Ching came to know Jesus through the outreach of FM missionaries several years ago. Jackie is now leader of the FM church in Oostende and leads the Bible Study in Diksmuide. In response to the call God has on his life to be a pastor, Jackie commenced Bible Study training in September 2008.
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