Full sermon here. Photos from the park day are here.
In a world where secularism rapidly replaces tradition and church buildings often sit empty or repurposed into gyms and venues, what does effective evangelism actually look like? During a recent special Missions Sunday presentation at LAMP Ministries, missionary associates James and Melissa Sims—alongside their children—shared an inspiring update on their church planting efforts in Belgium. Their heart for the Gospel offers a refreshing, practical roadmap for reaching a generation that is spiritually hungry yet disconnected from traditional religion.
Through personal stories, family ministry, and an intentional relational culture, the Sims family illustrates how the simple cycle of Belong, Believe, and Become can transform hearts in even the most post-Christian environments.
The Call to Family Ministry and Everyday Evangelism
Missionary work is rarely a solo venture. James and Melissa introduced their large family, emphasizing that when God called them to Belgium, He called their whole household into ministry. Each child plays a unique role—whether it is making friends at local schools, adjusting to new languages, or building connections within the community.
Melissa encouraged the congregation by reminding everyone that every believer has a mission field. Whether you serve in your local town, your neighborhood, or your home, your impact is vital.
“Wherever you are, you’re a missionary. You have people that God is putting in your path to say yes to and to encourage.”
Serving in church planting requires an all-hands-on-deck attitude—from hosting youth groups and leading Life Groups to running entry-level courses like Alpha and even cleaning facilities. Saying a wholehearted “yes” to helping wherever needed is often the catalyst for supernatural breakthroughs in a community.
Navigating the Post-Christian Landscape of Western Europe
To understand the impact of gospel work in Western Europe, it helps to recognize the cultural landscape. In nations like Belgium, less than 2% of the population professes to follow Jesus actively.
While historical Catholic traditions span over a thousand years, many magnificent church buildings now stand empty, repurposed as indoor rock climbing centers or cultural spaces. Furthermore, standard educational systems often shift religious classes toward humanitarianism—teaching self-reliance and environmental stewardship while leaving spiritual truth behind.
This environment creates a profound sense of isolation and identity confusion. Many young people identify as atheists simply because they have never experienced personal, living faith. Yet, as James highlighted, freedom without truth leaves people feeling lost. The void left by nominal religion opens the door for authentic, Spirit-filled community.
The Core Framework: Belong, Believe, Become
The heart of the ministry model embraced by Redefine Church (the plant in Belgium) rests on three foundational steps:
A. Belong First
Traditional approaches often demand that people change their beliefs before they are welcomed into a community. Redefine Church flips that expectation on its head by inviting people to belong first.
- Creating Space: Regardless of someone’s background, past mistakes, or current view of Jesus, they are given a seat at the table.
- Radical Hospitality: In European cultures, inviting someone into your home can feel as intimate as inviting them into your closet. Yet, taking that personal step breaks down walls and signals real, unconditional care.
B. Believe Through Experience
When people experience true belonging and the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit, their hearts naturally open to belief.
- Personal Connections: Faith often begins with honest conversations over meals, shared questions, and intentional relationships.
- The Holy Spirit’s Work: Belief is not manufactured by clever arguments; it is drawn by the Holy Spirit working through everyday believers who simply say “yes” to stepping out.
C. Become a Passionate Follower
Belief is not the end of the journey. The ultimate goal is helping new believers become passionate, active followers of Christ.
- Active Engagement: Followers step up to serve, volunteer, pray for others, and share their faith openly.
- Spiritual Habits: Through Bible reading plans, discipleship, and fellowship, believers put deep roots down into the Word of God.
Real Stories of Lives Transformed
The power of this framework is best seen in real lives. During the sermon, three compelling stories were shared to illustrate the progression of grace:
Ricks: Finding a Place to Belong
Ricks, a young Belgian working at a local grocery store, found himself searching for truth after losing a media figure he followed online. His search shifted to the physical world after a gym conversation sparked by a fellow believer wearing a cross. When Ricks walked into church, he encountered an inviting atmosphere and felt the presence of God. Though still on his faith journey, Ricks has attended faithfully for over a year, regularly gathering with friends to read Scripture. He has found a place where he truly belongs.
Emma: Moving from Belonging to Belief
Emma passed by the church building every day on her way to work. Raised with Catholic roots but distant from active faith, she felt drawn to step inside one Sunday. After accepting an invitation to Sunday lunch at the Sims’ house, she was deeply moved by the genuine care she received. Shortly after, Emma gave her life to Jesus, was baptized, and now actively invites her family members to church services.
Jabur: Becoming a Passionate Disciple
Raised by a Muslim father and Catholic mother, Jabur previously identified as an atheist simply because he didn’t know what to believe. A direct, unexpected question from a high school friend prompted him to visit church. Sensing the love of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, Jabur kept returning, surrendered his life to God, and was baptized. Today, Jabur wears apparel with messages inviting people to ask for prayer, actively reads the Bible with friends, and passionately shares the Gospel with those around him.
Your Invitation to Step Out
The testimony from Belgium serves as a reminder for Christians everywhere. As Romans 10:13–15 reminds us:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
Whether you are supporting global missionaries through financial giving and prayer, or stepping out in your own neighborhood to extend a friendly lunch invitation, you are part of God’s sending plan.
Living out the Gospel doesn’t require complex strategies. It starts by opening your heart and your home, creating a space where people can belong, watching God lead them to believe, and walking alongside them as they become passionate followers of Jesus Christ.