Prayer Letter

Gif-sur-Yvette

The Easter Sunday service was one of our more creative ones (that we hold every four-to-six weeks). We began in the dark, with the lights switched off, the window shutters closed, and only one candle lit. It was very effective, even if those conditions weren't ideal for the two new families who came for the first time and arrived late - and in the dark! 😉

We recently launched a new activity at our church-plant, to encourage our members in their walk of faith. In addition to the groups and the pastoral visits that are already in play, the goal is essentially to offer one-to-one structured discipling sessions, to hopefully help our members to continue to grow. The response has been positive.

At the time of writing, we have just sent out the paperwork for a church meeting, to be held in early May, during which we will welcome some new members and say goodbye to some existing ones. That is the nature of church-life in a very mobile environment like Greater Paris.

1,000 new French Pastors over 10 years

One of the wider roles that Philip plays in the French Baptist Federation is as part of their Ministry Commission and as a mentor for some of the next generation of pastors.

Across all of the French Evangelical denominations, the need – and the target, therefore – is to collectively see a thousand new pastors raised up and trained over the coming ten years.

Within the Baptist family, we are grateful that our prayers are being answered and that a good number of varied ministerial candidates are currently in training. Here is a slide from our “Vocations Sunday”, at the end of last month, showing them all.

A new General Secretary

The French Baptists have been running this year without a General Secretary. (In fact, it is Philip who is currently handling his/her correspondence.) It has been a deliberate move, to allow us to re-think our governance model and to make it more collegiate. We are keen that not too much should rest on the shoulders of just one person.

Happily, a new General Secretary has now been appointed to start in September: Éric, who is currently the pastor of our church in Clermont-Ferrand. He and his family came to ours for lunch just yesterday (at the time of writing).

Family News

It is with much joy and gratitude to God that we share with you the news of the safe arrival of Caleb Philip Halford to our youngest, Lydia, and son-in-law, Simon, on 27th February. Caleb weighed in at 8lb 5oz and has been doing well ever since.

Big sister Phoebe is thoroughly enjoying playing her new role. She has learned the word “congratulations” and frequently enjoys congratulating us all, in turn, on our respective roles. 😉

Prayer Points

- Pray for the ongoing development of the church-plant in Gif-sur-Yvette.

- Ask for God's blessing on all those training for ministry in France.

- Give thanks for Eric, the new General Secretary, and pray for God's grace and provision for him and his family.

- Join us in thanking God for the safe arrival of Caleb.

With our warm good wishes and our thanks for your ongoing support,

Philip & Rosemary.