The Belgian-Luxembourg Adventist community is mourning the loss of Raymond Liénard, a towering figure and steadfast pillar of the Woluwe church, who passed away at the remarkable age of 101.
Known for his resolute character and fierce determination, Liénard left an indelible mark on everyone he encountered. A lifelong educator by training, his professional journey began with a seven-year tenure teaching at the Brussels Central church school. His dedication to education later extended far beyond Europe; he spent over five years serving as an educator in Cameroon. Upon returning to Belgium, Liénard resumed his teaching career before ultimately serving as the head of the primary section at the Maimonide Athenaeum in Brussels.
Beyond his formal career, Liénard poured his energy into church leadership and community outreach. He played an active role in Brussels’ Radio Maranatha, directed the Sabbath School departments for many years, and spent roughly two decades leading the Department of Religious Liberty.
His work in religious liberty brought him into dialogue with prominent political and religious figures, including Cardinal Danneels and the Chief Rabbi of Brussels, Albert Guigui. A staunch advocate for academic accommodation regarding the Sabbath, Liénard never hesitated to champion students' rights, even taking his case directly to the doorstep of the Minister of Education.
A Passion for Life, Family, and Inclusivity
Outside of his professional and ecclesiastical duties, Liénard was an avid reader and an enthusiastic gardener, famously winning local awards for cultivating the most beautiful garden in his residential area. He also possessed a deep appreciation for his heritage, channeling it into a comprehensive intergenerational family biography.
Liénard’s legacy extends well into his theological outlook. He was a vocal proponent of holistic living, frequently emphasizing the vital importance of the Adventist health reform message. Crucially, he championed an open, outward-looking approach to evangelism, advocating that believers should engage respectfully with other faiths, appreciate their unique traditions, and share Adventist perspectives without isolationism.
A Shared Root
On the wall of his living room hung a collage of family photographs, capturing the roughly thirty children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren he was blessed to know in his lifetime. Beneath the portraits, a simple inscription now resonates deeply with the wider church family:
"Family… Like branches on a tree… We all grow in different directions… But our roots remain as one."
In honoring his memory, the community finds comfort in the enduring hope that Christ remains their common root and ultimate anchor.
This article is adapted from a tribute originally published by the Belgian-Luxembourg Federation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
