France

In a land rich in culture, history and a center for the arts also exists a population of more than ten thousand people who have no evangelical witness or access to the Gospel. France is the largest country in Western Europe and contains the fifth largest economy in the world. Amid this nation of prestige also exists intellectualism, rationalism and rampant occult involvement that has created confusion regarding the truth of Christianity. Only one percent of France’s sixty million people are evangelical Christians. Due to the fact that traditional church structures and models of evangelism have proven ineffective, The Mission Society team in France is approaching this secular society in a new way. The team is involved in a cell-church model of church planting that draws people into Christian communities. Other methods of ministry include music and arts ministry. Another missionary family has a ministry to missionaries and French pastors providing pastoral and missionary care and counseling to Brittany Manor House guests.

France Projects

Arts Ministry: La Fonderie
Project Location: Paris, France
Estimated Costs: For 3-6 month internships: $1900 per month, plus airfare. For two-week trips, $600 per week, plus airfare.
Dates Available: Throughout the year, except July and August. Depends on projects and calendar events (expos, concerts, conferences, etc.). Requires personal interview with a member of the La Fonderie; some internships require the submission of a portfolio or examples of work in specific art form.
Project Description: La Fonderie exists to value, inspire, encourage and embolden Christians working in the arts. There are three main areas of activities: artist gatherings and discipleship, the arts and cultural space, the growing community of believers made up of both artists and non-artists. Examples of internship areas/work:

• Concerts/art shows/theatre events: set-up, tear down, sound and lights, stage decoration, hospitality and service, publicity and graphic design/
• Communications: design and maintenance of the web site; featured artists series, development of links and web relationships, responding to email, English correspondence, video projects/
• Administration/IT: various office projects throughout the year
• Artist exchange/creative development: for visual artists, photographers, musicians, etc; a chance to spend time in Paris, a place of creative stimulation and development, while serving in various capacities in La Fonderie and le pave d'Orsay

Brittany Manor Home
Project Location: Brittany, France
Estimated Costs: $200 per person for a seven-day stay which includes food, housing and transporation in Brittany. Travel costs to France not included.
Dates Available: Teams are welcome all year, but summers are more expensive and reservations are needed in advance. Ten-to-twelve day trips are advised with seven days at the manor home and several days of travel and optional time in Paris.
Project Description: This family operates a manor home donated by an American family as a means of a “tent-making” operation in the area of Brittany. The home primarily serves as an outreach and fellowship center and is used as a place for missionary care for tired or worn-out missionaries and pastors. Ministry efforts are also focused in the areas of friendship evangelism through ministering to neighbors and getting to know the Breton people. Arts ministry is an effective means of building relationships and engaging college students and others in theological discussion. Teams are welcomed to serve through construction on the manor home in order to enhance the property and attract more guests. The work also includes lawn & gardening and other projects to keep the grounds looking clean and beautiful.