Antwerp is a dream that God planted in our hearts in 1997. An American studying in Leuven tried to start something for the Church of the Nazarene in Antwerp, but after he left there was no follow-up.
Around 2012, some work began again in Antwerp, which reached some Bulgarians. However, this also did not endure. In the past decades, the Portuguese congregation in Rotterdam hasworked among Cape Verdeans in Antwerp as well, but a collected, continued presence remained elusive. The dream for a church of the Nazarene in Antwerp remained.
Recently, the dream became a reality when a bi-vocational Brazilian pastor began visiting Belgium for his secular work. God called him to serve in Belgium, and in 2025 he moved hisfamily to Antwerp. His call has been to reach the Belgians, but even without a church this past year, he has reached many Portuguese-speaking people living in Antwerp to whom he has given pastoral care. Belgium is a country of immigrants, and more than 5,000 Brazilians make their home there.
We met Pastor Carlos in the Summer of 2025 after he had sent emails trying to reach anyone who knew anything about any work of the Church of the Nazarene in Belgium. As we got to know each other, the dream seemed to become reality.
At the right time, with the right people, God led us to a blessed place and this May, we held our very first service. The room was full, mostly of people Carlos knew, who were not part of any church community. In the announcements for the service, he used a common logo in the Church of the Nazarene in Brazil: Lugar de recomeço. In English: A place for new beginnings. It was a wonderful and joyful service, with great music and fellowship.
Pastor Carlos is a good musician and had been a worship minister in Portugal. He is attracting great musicians in Antwerp, not only because of their common talent, but because of his great pastoral heart—essential in a place where so much suffering is present in all corners of cities.
The church dreams of starting something soon for youth in Flemish. They dream of a foundation for a Flemish congregation—Carlos’ first call for the Belgians.
We are excited about what is happening in Antwerp, and we see God’s leading and blessing. Please pray for God’s protection of Pastor Carlos and his family. Though he is an excellent worker in his field (construction), he must endure a common struggle for the immigrant community— unfair treatment and pay disparity. Please pray for a different (secular) job where he can learn the language and finish his theological education while allowing him to be more present in the lives of the people God is bringing under his care. Please pray for finances to support him as a paid minister.
God’s timing is always perfect.
– by Nici and Stephen Overduin
