Is God Moving in France?

Europe is dark.  Nothing happens fast in Europe.  Religion is private.  The French think Protestantism is a cult.  France is the missionary graveyard.

These are statements that we've heard several times over the last few years as God has opened our eyes to the great need in Europe.  Not very encouraging.  But there are rumors that God is moving in new ways in Europe; He's moving in ways He has never moved before in Sweden and the Czech Republic; in Bulgaria there are new believers almost weekly!  But what about France?

Last week Jenn, another GEM missionary in France, shared a story of her French friend, Marie.  Marie was attending their weekly prayer meetings, but she was not a follower of Jesus and she did not attend church (another story in and of itself!).  When Marie learned that Jenn was going to preach a sermon in French, she offered to help her.  (Jenn and her family have only been in France for 2 years and only recently completed language school and started into full-time ministry.  You can follow more of their story on her blog.)  After Jenn preached her sermon, she and Marie continued to meet weekly to practice her French and to study the book of John.  A few weeks ago Marie gave her life to the Lord!  Jenn shared:

Since then, we have begun a new Bible study together called Spiritual Life Studies (Catchy name, huh?). For thirteen weeks we will examine what it means to be whole-hearted followers of Jesus and we will put into practice everything that we learn. The first week, for her homework, I encouraged Marie to share her testimony with at least one person. She shared it with two. Beyond giving her testimony, she has talked about Jesus with everyone from her grandchildren to her doctor.

Wow!  That is encouraging!  Marie gets it.  She understands that the gospel is not just for her.  She doesn't feel obligated to share her testimony or talk about Jesus; she is compelled to because of His great love for us.

And Marie is just one example.

On July 12 an article was published titled In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord.

...Evangelicals offer a “friendlier” and less hierarchical model of worship, with more community warmth and room for emotive expression. Leaders say they "speak to the heart" in a Europe preoccupied with wealth and worldliness, and provide a haven in times of harsh economic setbacks.

“France itself is changing, and this is a reflection of this transition,” says Sebastian Fath, a researcher at France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and an expert on evangelicalism....

Now is the time to be sharing the gospel in France.  God is moving, and we are eager to align ourselves with Him!

(To read more of Marie's journey leading to her trust in Jesus, click on the following links: Knowing Winks, Who's Teaching Whom?, Who's Teaching Whom? - Part II, Thirst, and Sure.)