2019 Benelux Trip Recap
Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg collectively form one Association of Vineyard Churches—the structure that the Vineyard uses for it’s national movements. Termed the Benelux Vineyard, these three countries just north of France and Germany have seen a fascinating and chaotic history. Home of the Dutch people group, this area is characterized by a blend of the practical and pragmatic, with the influence of France’s appreciation for the finer things. Add into the mix that Brussels (the main city in Belgium) is functionally the headquarters of the EU, and you have a very interesting blend happening!
This year I was invited to come and share at the Vineyard Benelux National Conference, both to share in the sessions, and to introduce them to School of Kingdom Ministry as a potential resource for discipleship and equipping in their local churches. The national leaders, Menno and Marian Helmus, came over to the UK when I did their national conference in January, and they graciously invited both Brittany and I to join them for the conference. Brittany’s family lived in Brussels for eight years before she was born (three of her siblings were born there), so when we found out the conference would be in Brussels, we knew we had to come. Andrew Janssen, always one to jump at the chance to experience Europe (particularly French-influenced), opted to join us as well.
The Schedule
We landed in Amsterdam on Thursday morning and were picked up by one of our hosts (Menno). He drove us through the Netherlands countryside into Belgium and through to Brussels. We prepared for the conference, checked into our Airbnb, and crashed! Friday and Saturday were busy conference days; I did four main sessions and two workshops, talking about our Vineyard DNA and the new season I see God bringing the global Vineyard into, our Identity in Christ, Kingdom Ministry, and Interdependence in the Body of Christ (along with introducing SoKM to Benelux in my workshop). The conference concluded Saturday afternoon, and we stayed in Brussels through Sunday morning where I preached and we joined them for their two services. Sunday afternoon, we spent with the Brussels pastors, Ricky and Natalia Venter, and then returned to Amsterdam. We spent Monday seeing Amsterdam by canal ride (really a fantastic way to see it), and then we headed home Tuesday morning.
Our time here was incredibly enjoyable and felt productive. Both the teachings and the ministry landed powerfully, and God did a lot of beautiful things. The identity teaching seemed like it really opened a lot of people’s eyes (plus some very evident deliverances in the ministry time afterwards), and people seemed very enthusiastic about the ministry of the Spirit clinic I did as well. There seemed to be a good amount of interest about SoKM as well; hopefully something will materialize there over the next few months.
Culturally, this was an interesting and a new experience for me. This was my first time on the European continent, and it was fascinating to see the multi-national and multi-lingual blend that exists there. Brussels in particular is a highly international city, with both Flemish and French being spoken in various sectors, along with English being generally the most spoken language across Europe. It wasn’t uncommon to go to a restaurant and have the staff translate a menu none of us could read! I believe my conference messages were simultaneously translated into three languages.
This multi-national viewpoint really was captured powerfully in the Brussels church, which was as diverse a church as I’ve ever been in. Because of the EU, not only is there the international mix prevalent through much of Europe, but I spoke with Jamaicans, South Africans, and more. It was incredible to see the respect and value each person had for the other cultures and viewpoints. They really have something special there.
Another interesting element of our time there was to see the people interact with taking initiative. It seems to me that it is a rather Dutch characteristic to be a bit hesitant to do something out of the box, so it took a lot to prod people to step in and take action, but once they would, they would grab the reins and really go for it!
Vineyard Family
There were two couples we specifically connected with on this trip: Ricky and Natalia Venter, and Menno and Marian Helmus.
Ricky and Natalia are in their young 40s and just moved to Brussels from Port Elisabeth, South Africa (they have recently assumed senior leadership of Vineyard Brussels). They are a joyful, vibrant couple, and really quality people. You know how you just click with some people? That definitely happened with them as we traveled through Brussels, eating waffles, devouring frites (fries), and introducing them to the pumpkin spice latte. It was a beautiful time filled with connection, laughter, and mutual encouragement. I’m not sure when we’ll see them again, but I hope it’s soon!!
The other couple we connected with was Menno and Marian Helmus, the National Directors of Vineyard Benelux. Menno and Marian assumed leadership of this Association of Vineyard Churches a few years ago and have been working to guide their Vineyard family towards a greater expectancy of the Spirit and work to get churches planting all throughout Benelux. They are a very kind and hospitable people, and such a lot of fun to hang out with! They too are joyful, and we had a lot of laughter as we would reflect together at the end of the day after the conference, or as we traveled through the streets and canals of Amsterdam together.
One thing I found particularly interesting is that Menno has been thinking about and teaching on the rulers and authorities Paul discusses in the New Testament. I found this very encouraging because I haven’t run into too many Vineyard pastors who are giving that subject deep thought, and God has been talking with me about it a lot lately. We shared ideas and books with each other, and dreamed about other people we could continue the conversation with. Excited to see where that continues to lead!
A New Season
This is now the fourth national conference I’ve done in the Vineyard in the last twelve months (England, USA, Australia, Benelux). I count myself privileged to be able to serve our family in this way, and it has given me an opportunity to get a unique window into the status of our movement. As I’ve traveled, what has struck me is how profoundly God appears to be bringing a new season upon our global Vineyard family. On each continent I’ve been, I’ve seen a fresh move of the Holy Spirit, as God is working to establish the Vineyard DNA into the next generation of Vineyard leaders. I’ve seen hunger, pursuit, and risk in encouraging ways. People want to see God move for themselves; they’re not content with the stories they’ve heard from others.
One of the unique aspects of our global movement is that for the first time, we are navigating a generational succession. The first generation (Wimber, etc) mostly didn’t have an opportunity to really do ministry together and transition to the generation that’s currently leading. For the first time, we’re working through what it looks like to pass churches to new leadership and to continue to march together into a new future for us all. It very much looks to me like God is breathing in this new season to keep the renewal element of our movement alive and well as we transition into the next generation of the Vineyard. We are a Church Planting + Church Renewal Movement, and God is highlighting the inbreaking experience of the kingdom of God to keep that front and central in our rich DNA.
Putty Putman
The Vineyard Church
Urbana IL