100% Connected 2022: announcing hope to people of the Jura region

The 100% Connected participants arrived in the Jura, Saturday, July 9th, at the same time as the Tour de France passed through Dole. We directed our activities towards helping Jura residents discover the hope found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ from July 9 through Sunday July 17.

Ten participants were assigned to Dole, coming from Burkina Faso, the United States, Germany and France. And Champagnole welcomed eight participants, all from different regions of France.

In these two Jura towns, several members of the Church mobilized to help; some provided accommodation, others took part in evangelization activities, still others cooked, served, cleaned, prayed. Church members and 100% Connected members got to know each other, each bringing their contribution with humility and purpose, to form a united team.

The morning program included a time of praise, teaching, prayer and discussion. These moments, much appreciated, allowed us to learn how to start a dialogue on faith with the people of Dole and of Champagnole and if possible to give an account of our personal encounter with Christ and of how this has changed our lives in 3 minutes, by the clock.

In Dole, the activities offered in the afternoon varied between in-depth discussions thanks to photo-language, face painting for children, questionnaires on faith and the distribution of invitations for a conference with Aurélien Bloch, a performance on the life of Edith Piaf and a concert by the CHyL’s Band. The team was encouraged by the many discussions. A clean-up action in one sector of the city undoubtedly helped to facilitate relations with the municipality and to obtain various authorizations.

Many wounded people, in deep suffering heard the Good News of salvation in Jesus. Pray that these words of hope and the Gospels distributed will bear fruit in lives!

In Champagnole, in addition to a photo-language workshop, the afternoons were devoted to the distribution of leaflets and invitations for an evening of “tartes flambées” (a specialty something like pizza) and a concert by Philippe Decourroux, which each brought together around fifty participants.

Traditional wooden games were installed in a shaded park in the city, to the delight of walkers looking to relax and cool off.

Both in Dole and Champagnole, the celebrations on Sunday the 10th and Sunday the 17th, followed by a shared lunch were a source of encouragement for everyone. The fraternal communion and the deep exchanges experienced revitalized and encouraged both the 100% Connected participants and the members of the two churches.

What a joy to share our testimonies of how Jesus is able to heal the deepest wounds, restore broken hearts, save the worst sinners… . It is the experience of this reality that has motivated us to proclaim it to the people of Dole and Champagnole!