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tation of the gospel.
Another group wrestled with the problem of approaching politicians. Members organized dinners and made cultural presentations. They invited chamber music groups to play in homes of some ambassa-
dors. This was typical of the wide variety of activi- ties specifically tailored to different segments of society.
We were amazed at the availability of gifted people who cooperated towards the same goal. It was a remarkable experi- ence seeing God provide our needs with people from different churches and Christian organiza- tions. Our multiple pre- sentations of the gospel almost matched the cul- tural, racial, and religious diversity of Brussels.
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We suggested that they invite inter- ested people to home Bible studies called discovery groups. These are sort of halfway houses leading to the church. For post-Christian Belgians, this was to be a place where they could feel at home, ask ques- tions, and express their doubts and their reasons for what they believe.
People who are hungry for the gospel must be served immediately.
II
Evaluation
While Project Brus- sels '91 was in full swing, and immediately after, everyone partici- pating claimed it as theirs. This was true for missions, parachurch agencies, and the Brus- sels churches. Some people saw this in a negative light, but I felt it was positive because it showed they "owned" the project.
Evaluating such a project is not easy. Against the back- drop of the prevailing anti-God, anti- Christian mentality in Brussels, and the remarkable unity we achieved, I think it has to be considered a success. We felt safe in counting at least 40 people who appear to have been genuinely converted. Beyond that, another 100 indicated some kind of decision. New converts have found their way into the churches. But many of those who made decisions were refugees, and since many were expelled from Bel- gium shortly thereafter, we have not been able to keep in touch with them.
Most of the refugees came from Eastern Europe, including the former
lncarnational evangelism
In all of the different approaches we
made, we tried to practice incarna- tional evangelism-to get so close to the people and their situations, so we could identify with them and be tuned in to their needs. Our follow-up work was geared to that purpose.
We asked churches to claim a part of Brussels where they would be re- sponsible for the ongoing presentation of the gospel to those who had shown some interest. We advised them not to stick to an area just around the church building. They should. choose a part of the city where a number of their strong Christians lived.
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Soviet Union. They sought political asylum, but the government considered them economic refugees and sent them back to their respective countries. They returned with Bibles or New Testa- ments and some kind of literature and testimony in their own languages.
Thirty-seven discovery groups are going, some with 15 to 20 people, oth- ers with two or three. These people are wrestling with different questions, try- ing to find the truth. This is a long pro- cess, and we hope many will eventu- ally become Christians and join churches.
However, despite our well-planned follow-up, many churches and indi- vidual Christians were too slow to pick up on people's interest. People who are hungry for the gospel must be served immediately, and not made to wait un- til the time is convenient for us. Orga- nizers of projects like this must check to see if people are visited within 10 days, and then perhaps grant another 10 days. Aftcr that, if nothing is donc, the names should be given to someone else.
Also on the negative side, we were slow in getting the research we needed from the churches. Very few of them were open to give us the facts we needed to get a clear view of our mis- sion force. Later on, when mutual trust began to build, it was easier to get the numbers. But by then we were already in full operation and the information was too late.
Overall, however, we felt the out~ come was very positive. For example, every home in Brussels received a lit- erature package, and the great majority were handed out personally with a smile and a greeting. Six hundred and
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seventy people wrote in some kind of response. Forty-five people filled out the quiz and claimed a Bible or New Testament.
Innumerable phone calls came in, with many different reactions, some of them hostile, but most were positive and thankful. A number of new minis- tries sprang up and continue to func- tion, such as Hope RestauranC for the poor, the Business International Com- munity which works in that sector of Brussels, the Women's Committee, services to refugees, and so on.
As far as specific results are con- cerned, perhaps the most remarkable was what happened among Muslims. They responded more positively than we dreamed was possible. After a sec- ond visit, 40 of them invited us back to their homes to explain the Bible, or compare the Bible and the Koran. Some became Christians. Others wrote anonymous letters, confessing that they had found Christ, but did not dare to make it known, fcaring for their lives.
It is said that one mark of success is if someone finds an idea worth repeat- ing. We were gratified to learn that a similar project is under way for Antwerp in 1993. Belgium's second largest city (pop. 200,000), Antwerp is to become Europe's cultural capital for that year. Pastors of different denomi- nations have been inspired by Project Brussels '91 and have decided to join hands for a similar approach to reach their city for the Lord Jesus Christ.
(A fuller, more detailed report of Project Brussels '91 is available from the author, Boulevard Lambermont 158. 1030 Brussels. Belgium.-Eds.)
October 1992
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