Church Planting in France
Philippe Montuire shares an encouraging update from The Antioch Network, a church planting organisation in France supported by Union Mission.
Ten years ago, a couple from our church in Dijon, in Burgundy, moved to the city of Auxerre, 150 kilometres from Dijon. One of our pastors went to Auxerre every Saturday with a team to evangelise and hold meetings in a café. Ten years later, a church has grown to 50 people – families, people from different ethnic backgrounds, and children. The road was bumpy at times, but the story of the Tabernacle Church in Auxerre illustrates the joy and pain of church planting in France.
Amongst other difficulties, we stood in shock and tears as we watched the young couple who were in charge of the church step down and abandon faith without any warning. In spite of this major crisis, other people stood up and rose to the challenge. The church continued to grow, so much so that we had to rent a new facility for the Sunday services.
Partnership
A few years ago, we entered into a partnership with Union Mission and SaRang Church in South Korea. Their heart for mission and especially for church planting in Europe led them to support us financially. We are so grateful for their love and support.
The church in Auxerre is part of a church planting network called ‘The Antioch Network’. It is actually the first church we planted ten years ago. Six more churches have been started since then, and joined the network to be involved in this kind of fellowship. With 20 churches currently in our fellowship, our vision is to plant 50 new churches in France by 2037. We named our vision ‘Antioch 50/37’.
With 20 churches currently in our fellowship, our vision is to plant 50 new churches in France by 2037.
Planting and Training
The church in Auxerre has now reached a new phase in its organisation. We have started the process of appointing elders as the church moves forward after the troubled times of the pandemic.
Planting a new church is quite an adventure in secularised France. Nevertheless, people are more and more drawn to a need for spirituality. Even if our pluralist context offers many possibilities to experiment spiritually, we find people open to the gospel as maybe never before. This is very encouraging for us.
Three new church planting projects are in process right now, in three different cities. A few people are already meeting to pray and praise the Lord in each location.
Even if our pluralist context offers many possibilities to experiment spiritually, we find people open to the gospel as maybe never before.
Five years ago, we started our biblical and ministry training. Next month, eleven brothers and sisters from different churches of the Antioch Network will complete their training. Not all eleven will be involved directly in a church planting project, but we pray for co-workers who will be able to help in the various areas of our vision. We pray and we train them the best we can so the Lord may use them in his harvest.
We go through much joy in serving the Lord Jesus in France, and as I already mentioned, we also go through pain and labour. We are extremely grateful for your prayers for our country and for the Antioch Network. Thank you!
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