Both teachers, Vivienne was born and brought up in Northampton and went to Zaire (now D R Congo) with BMS in 1975. Phillip, who comes from Lancashire, went to Zaire in 1980.
After their return to the UK they were married and lived in Ilford, Essex, where they both taught. Phillip went on to train as a Baptist minister at Spurgeon’s College before becoming minister of Wotton-under-Edge Baptist Church in 1992. In 1996/97 they took leave of absence from the church and returned to Zaire for six months to relieve other BMS personnel.
They started work in Brussels at the beginning of 2000. They pastor a small but growing French-speaking church, working with a Congolese pastoral couple, Paul and Jeanne Dibudi Way-Way, who have five children. Although small, the church has people from many countries and languages. They hold English classes as a means of outreach as well as a weekly Bible study and prayer meeting, a
women’s lunchtime Bible study, a monthly ladies’ meeting and a monthly youth group, now organised by a small committee of young people. Following the successful holiday club of 2004, they have held follow-up mornings, once or twice a term.
They have a son Christopher who is at university in the UK and a married daughter, Ruth.
Phillip and Vivienne both enjoy reading. Phillip enjoys gardening and Vivienne crafts; though there seems to be less and less time to pursue these interests! Christopher enjoys all sports, particularly rugby and cricket, and is very involved in school drama activities. His ambition is to become an actor.
If you would like to support the work of Phillip and Vivienne you can download a direct debit form by clicking here.