France

Europe

Year opened: 1994

Known for being the largest and one of the most modern countries in Western Europe, France is home to nearly 63 million people. However, despite its long history with Catholicism, nearly 50 million French people have little or no access to the Gospel. Many of these include unreached minorities who have immigrated to France. Islam is the second largest religion in the country; however, the evangelical Protestant population has grown to 2% in the past century. There are also many Roman Catholics throughout the nation.

The Mission Society’s work in France began in the Paris suburbs in 1992 with one family working jointly with The Mission Society and another mission agency. This family launched a music ministry and a Bible study in their home, organized youth trips to the United States, hosted youth ministry teams from the United States, and began working with the Reformed Church in Jouyen-Josas, a Paris suburb. In 1994, through the groundwork set by this family, The Mission Society started its own field ministries in France.

Today, in this nation where 95% of the towns and villages do not have a resident Christian witness, a Mission Society team is engaged in offering Christ in a way that reaches to the hearts of the French. One ministry encourages and disciples Christians working in the arts, another strengthens families and couples, still another encourages missionaries and pastors in a retreat center setting. Other outreaches focus on relational discipleship or are partner ministries with local churches. Many French are learning what it means to know Christ personally. In 2002 a young French nurse who was discipled under this ministry became a Mission Society missionary. She served in Ghana, West Africa.

 

Prayer Requests

• Pray for opportunities to develop and cultivate meaningful relationships with those living in the same communities as The Mission Society missionaries.
• Pray for creativity and discernment in evangelism.
• Pray for joy and hope among missionaries as they wait for seeds they have planted to bear fruit.
• Pray for unity and cooperation between Christian workers and organizations.
• Pray for protection, perseverance, and encouragement among French believers who often feel alone and isolated in their faith.
• Pray that God will raise up a generation of bold, courageous believers in France.