Mission FPC
Each church organized its own program. In Lens, a Bible exhibit (posters and artifacts giving in-depth details about the original documents, translation work, the messages of the Old and New Testaments and a model of the tabernacle) attracted a good twenty visitors of all ages who braved entry into the church throughout the week.
This sparked in-depth discussions about the Bible, this world bestseller. Its transmission to us is simply extraordinary. Several visitors came after having met team members who distributed invitations in the street and/or used Photo-Language to stimulate discussion with passers-by on spiritual themes. Also in Lens, a concert took place on Friday. In front of an almost packed house, Gvantsa sang Edith Piaf’s repertoire while André, a retired pastor, interspersed elements of the artist’s life. The feedback was positive and the evening touching, both in terms of the songs and the story. Several people present at the concert said that they were interested in the Sunday morning service.
The camp was an opportunity for the APC Lille Métropole Church to meet its neighbors, to better understand their needs and thus to better love them as God loves them. During the week, team members and Church members carried out several activities such as food packages for students, questionnaires which led to opportunities to share faith and hope in Jesus, French lessons for migrants, distribution of flyers for various subjects (homework help, a “discovery” study of the Christian faith, an invitation to an exhibition on the Bible, etc.).
Also in St-Quentin, the Gospel was announced in different ways: going door to door, a concert by Gvantsa/André at the Champs Élysées park, discussions with people in the park and downtown, distribution of some tracts on Covid -19 at Guise (a nearby town), etc. A lot of gospels, a Bible and DVDs of the Jesus film have been claimed. Despite inclement weather, all the activities were able to take place.
The participants in Lille testified that they had greatly benefited from blessed moments of fellowship and edifying times of teaching. Discussions with passers-by, very often open to discussion and confidences, were very encouraging. The people of the church of St-Quentin were grateful for the help received from friends of the Alsatian Church of Strasbourg-Neudorf and from the brothers and sisters of the Rempart Church in Valenciennes. On average, a dozen people each day were able to experience unity in Jesus Christ together.
Despite the different format, this 100% Connected session was very encouraging and stimulating. Staff and local church members in Lens expressed their encouragement and appreciation for this entire week together. Many people from Lens were able to discover the Bible as well as the premises of the church. A “Discovery Bible study” was thus able to start.
In St-Quentin, deep discussions with seekers took place… Several wished to participate to the celebration on Sunday, July 18th.
The brothers and sisters of Lille expressed their gratitude for this week. They hope for new opportunities to tell their neighbors about God.
The shorter duration and the smaller size of the teams seemed to be well suited to the current pandemic context, with less risk of contamination and closer relations between the participants.
Thank you to the people who mobilized to make this week take place, both the participants, the members of the Churches and those who committed to pray for everything that was going to be organized and done in Lens, Lille and St-Quentin.
Mission FPC
Gloire a Dieu!! Glory to God!!