CTS Leads the Charge for European Missions

The nation of Belgium is small, barely half the size of West Virginia, but its influence belies its size. As the seat of the European Union as well as NATO, Belgium remains quietly but firmly on the international stage.

Some 11 million Belgians comprise one of the world’s most diverse and secular populations. Prostitution is legal, as is euthanasia (including for children) and abortion. The traditional definition of marriage has been thoroughly and legally overthrown. Witchcraft maintains a heavy presence.

“Subjects, like euthanasia, that are still being hotly debated in America have been accepted by some European cultures and are no longer even a discussion,” says Dr. Joseph Dimitrov, president of the Assemblies of God’s Continental Theological Seminary (CTS) in Sint-Pieters Leeuw just outside the capital, Brussels.

With Dimitrov at the helm, Continental Theological Seminary pursues its mission to train students for ministry in Belgium and beyond. Located in a beautiful chateau with a rich history dating back to the 1100s, the seminary trains graduate and undergraduate students from around the world. The goal: to prepare men and women to impact with the gospel diverse societies that have no connection with evangelical Christians, and are even less receptive to Pentecostal Christians.

The students preparing for ministry at CTS are passionate about reconnecting millions of Europeans with the hope of the gospel, and God is honoring that passion. On a continent filled with seminaries and theological programs that study theology solely for academic reasons, CTS is one of the very few seminaries where Bible-believing faculty and students have accepted Christ, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and live biblically based lives.

That distinction has brought them both disdain and honor on Europe’s academic scene. But it was the prayers of a young African student that brought the most dramatic honor of all. Sitting on a train one day, the young man bowed his head in prayer. He was startled when a dignified woman next to him asked him what he was doing.

“I am praying,” he replied.

“Why?”

“I am a Christian, and a pastoral student at Continental Theological Seminary.”

The woman had never heard of CTS, but was intrigued. She told the young man she too was a Christian, and wished to learn more. He was shocked to learn that she was a high-ranking official within the educational area of the Belgian government. Because of that “chance” connection, CTS’ Master of Theology program was able to become fully accredited by the Belgian Board of Education — a recognition they had long sought.

Currently, around 150 students from 30 nations are enrolled at CTS. Approximately one half of them are pursuing doctoral degrees. Regardless of a student’s program, Dimitrov and the faculty work diligently to ensure that the vital link between study and ministry experience remains intact. Each week, students fan out to share ministry responsibilities at 25 churches around Belgium. Upon completion of their studies, many students expect to return to their home countries. In most cases, they will be lonely voices for Christ in very secular places.

Dimitrov concludes, “Our students know that by coming here, they are being prepared to go against the stream on a very secular continent. We believe we are on the frontline of missions — one of God’s voices for our continent. As such, we need protection. Please pray for the security of our campus, for wisdom for our professors as they equip students for Europe’s rapidly changing value system, and for provision for our students. We have nothing but the Holy Spirit.”

Kristel Zelaya

Kristel Zelaya is a freelance writer and editor with global experience. She served as marketing manager for Assemblies of God U.S. Missions and as a writer and editor for Assemblies of God World Missions. These experiences have led her to numerous countries and cultures — far from beaten paths — on behalf of many who did not know how deeply their stories matter. Zelaya is also a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She and her husband Rudy share one daughter.