"WE WISH TO REMAIN AS WE ARE" 

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, situated in the heart of northern Europe, is nestled between Germany to the east, France to the south, and Belgium to the west. Boasting one of the highest standards of living in the world (even in this time of economic turmoil), Luxembourg has become a growing center for international finance and the home of many European institutions.

Defying its own mantra of wishing to remain unchanged, Luxembourg has the highest proportion of international residents and workers in the EU. The population of 493,500 includes residents from most of the countries on earth. That's why you can touch almost every nation on earth in this tiny spot.

Although official census statistics on religious affiliation were discontinued after the 1980 census, the nation remains primarily Roman Catholic. Acceptance of Yugoslav refugees after the Bosnian war in the 1990s has given the country a surprisingly large Muslim population. There is growing interest in eastern religions and sects, although these have a lower profile than in the more prominent neighboring countries.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

Christian Community Church, launched in 1975 by BMW workers, seeks to serve both the international and local Luxembourgish population by establishing Bible-teaching churches for as many language groups as possible. Having arrived in Luxembourg in 1976 for French-speaking ministry, Tim and Kathy Heijermans have served CCC since 1986 to develop leadership within this international church, which today comprises 25-30 nationalities. Given the rapid turnover of church families due to frequent job transfers, many other churches around the world benefit from this training as people come to know Christ, are discipled, and then move on to other parts of the world. The church has ministries in English, Luxembourgish, Tagalog and Spanish. In the past year CCC has been seeking to start ministry in Portuguese.

Other full-time workers with a love for the Lord Jesus Christ, formal theological training, clear language-learning ability, good people skills and basic ministry experience are needed to assist CCC in the development of branch works in Beval—a rapidly developing new university city in the south—and Nordstad—the joining of two northern cities certain to experience significant growth as the north of the country opens to new residents. Opportunities for summer ministries in July are available to applicants accepted by both CCC and BMW. For the past thirteen summers dynamic youth camps have been an excellent forum for Bible college and seminary students desiring exposure to ministries in Europe. Luxembourg is also one of the hubs for BMW’s EURéquipe program, which hosted students for five weeks this past spring from Northland International University.

Opportunities in Luxembourg (PDF)

Flexible internship programs are available to qualified single men who have completed formal theological training and who wish to enter full-time ministry in Europe. CCC is seeking a European intern willing to serve for at least one year before transitioning into full-time, long-term pastoral ministry at the church.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR NEEDED

Christian Community Church of Luxembourg is looking for an Associate Pastor to assist in her development and multiplication in the country and the greater region.

• TRAINING: Candidates should have finished formal theological training and be able to sign CCC's doctrinal statement without mental reservation and fully support its philosophy of ministry.
• SUPPORT: The church in Luxembourg desires long-term commitment and is prepared to underwrite a significant portion of the support package. Supplemental support from the USA or Canada will be very helpful in the short term.
• LANGUAGES: Knowledge of French will be essential to living on the economy. A European passport for either the candidate or his wife would be a definite advantage in securing entrance into the country and working papers.
• CHILDREN & SCHOOLING: The church is looking for a couple either with no children yet or with pre-schoolers. The pastor should be prepared to send his children to local schools, which use Luxembourgish, French and German. Home schooling is not an option unless parents can teach in French, German and Luxembourgish.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Tim Heijermans at ath@pt.lu for more details and an application form. Or contact Dale Fries, BMW's Area Director for Europe. Check out the church's site at www.christian-community-church.net.

For more information on Luxembourg, contact Tim Heijermans by email or contact Dale Fries, BMW's Area Director for Europe.