Why Belgium?

Dear Friends,

Belgium is not a country where the church is growing at a fast pace and people are responding to the Gospel right , left, and center... so why would we invest our time, energy and money in Belgium, when we could be much more 'fruitful' with the same amount of resources in a country where the hearts of people are turning to Jesus daily? Should we not be going to a harvest field that is ripe? It just doesn't make strategic and financial sense to invest in something with little return and little excitement...
Honestly, I would much rather be on the front lines, in a country where the Spirit of God is moving in obvious ways. For years now, Grace and I have been praying about where God would have us serve in His Kingdom. After praying through many options, including in the US, we sensed that we needed to pray about serving in Belgium. Though that would be a logical choice because I grew up there and know the language and culture, I struggled with the thought of serving a people with slow receptivity to the Gospel, let alone the lack of excitement and adventure that would bring.
As I was specifically praying about whether or not God wanted us to go to Belgium, God's Word pierced me like a two-edged sword. God told Ezekiel: “You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language…” (ch.3 vs.5) “Go now to your countrymen and speak to them… whether they listen or fail to listen.” (ch. 3 vs.11) It finally dawned on me that for the most part, God’s message through the prophets rarely landed on receptive hearts. Yet that is where God sent them.

The church in Belgium is small, roughly 1% of the population. Due to immigration, 4% of the population is Muslim! The country has a Catholic background with 48% calling themselves Catholic, though only 7% attend mass. 31% call themselves non-religious or atheist.
According to Operation World by Jason Mandryk, "the lack of Belgian, and especially Flemish Christian workers and pastors is crippling indigeneity and growth. There are very few full-time pastors; most are bi-vocational. This in turn undermines first generation believers, since they need solid discipleship in a post-Christian Belgium." In light of this, OM Belgium purposes to come along side the local church and help them fulfill their purpose in this country and beyond.
Would you pray with me for God to raise up full-time pastors and Christian workers in Belgium to shepherd and disciple His people, encouraging them to reach out to their neighbors and friends? Would you also pray that God will soften the hearts of the Belgian people and caused them to be responsive to the Gospel? Would you pray that God would strengthen and encourage His servants in Belgium to persevere despite the slow growth of the church?

As always, thank you for your prayers!
In His Service,
Jonathan