“What’s the function of the Mission Presidency?” – I was asked.

Arriving during covid times in June 2021, it was November before counsellors were appointed.

Over those few months, after discussions with several candidates and after taking it to the Lord in prayer, it was abundantly clear that I should have Chris Kleijweg and Jurgen Hoole serve as my Counsellors.

Both Chris and Jurgen have a wealth of knowledge and experience of the church throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.

Two counsellors are always called to assist a mission president with his responsibilities.

We meet regularly, usually weekly, either using technology or in person, to counsel about missionary work, and talk together almost daily.

The wise writer of Proverbs tells us that “in … counsellors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14.)

Counselling together with one another is constant.

When problems arise, when difficult decisions face us, it is wonderful to be able to talk together in confidence and trust.

When the three of us unite in prayer to discuss a concern, we seek the impressions and direction of the Spirit. We counsel together in order to reach a united conclusion, to help us know that the decision is in harmony with the Lord’s will.

We each have specific responsibilities including teaching, finding, social media, office administration, working with local leaders, service missionaries, finance, leadership, youth, young adults, new members, senior couples etc.

Each of us have a sense of responsibility for the whole mission.

Over the last 18 months we have developed strong bond of friendship. We are very different, with different family situations and life experience, yet we love being together, especially at Zone Conferences!

We laugh, we cry, we help, we support, we travel, we share, we teach, we interview, we listen, we problem solve, we attend meetings, and we are always on call 24/7, prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice and go and assist missionaries wherever they are.

Interestingly, in the church, we have a lay ministry.

Chris, Jurgen or I never sought out these assignments, we were simply asked by a church leader to serve, giving many hours voluntarily every week. It’s wonderful!

We invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

In summary, the function of the Presidency is to prepare, counsel, teach, minister, and lead the Belgium Netherlands Mission.